UC alum makes her mark in research, service

Joan Reisch recognized as Philanthropist of the Year

In 1960, as a young and eager statistician, Joan Reisch graduated from the University of Cincinnati's College of Arts and Sciences, and pursued a career in Texas at the Southwestern Medical Center where she’s held numerous roles as both faculty and staff.

This year, Reisch was recognized for her career accomplishments and contributions with the Philanthropist of the Year Award by UC’s Alumni Association. This award is given to an alumnus who has been highly engaged in philanthropic activities with A&S, or has made a significant impact on the college.

Joan Reisch, A&S alum and 2024 Philanthropist of the Year. Credit/Provided

Back in the 1960s, armed with her bachelor’s degree in chemistry, Reisch began her career as a research technician in internal medicine. This, in turn, positioned her to earn her master’s in mathematical and experimental statistics from Southern Methodist University in Dallas.

Receiving her master’s allowed her to move into faculty and teach statistics and computer science and gain tenure with the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.

Reisch’s UC roots led her to a storied 58-year career with the UT Southwestern Medical Center. There, she has participated in grants that have awarded the university more than $5 million for research; and she has peer reviewed and contributed to more than 180 articles, chapters and editorials.

She has also served on dissertation committees for 38 years; served on the external advisory committee for the Alzheimer’s Disease Center at Northwestern Medical School in Chicago; and has been involved with the American Statistical Association as a member, president of the North Texas Chapter and a representative to the American Statistical Association Council.

She’s also been active in the Biometric Society, Sigma Xi, Society of Clinical Trials and the Texas Academy of Science where she has been an elected fellow. Her long list of awards and honors includes an honorarium for the Personalities of the South and an award for the Outstanding Young Woman of America for her distinguished service and dedication to the community and state.

Philanthropy resonates deeply with Reisch. She served as a representative for UT Southwestern for the State Employees Charitable Campaign in the Dallas chapter from 1996 to 2013, raising money for the campaign to support health and human service nonprofits in the state of Texas.

She has been president of the State Alumnae Association for Alpha Delta Pi twice, honored as an outstanding alumna for the nation twice, and was the President of the Hockaday Neighborhood Association.

For 43 years, Reisch has supported UC and A&S, and has made impacts with her philanthropy. She established a scholarship for STEM students and was recently inducted into the Herman Schneider Legacy Society by including UC in her estate plans.

Featured image at top: Arts and Sciences Hall on UC's Uptown Campus. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand

By Mark Osborne

Program Director, Alumni Engagement, UC Foundation

osbornem9@foundation.uc.edu

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