UC Chicago Alumni to be honored at annual Chicagoans for Cincy! Celebration
The 2025 Chicagoans for Cincy! Celebration recognizes the many contributions and overall excellence of UC alumni in the Chicagoland area, honors three outstanding Bearcats, and raises funds for student scholarships.
The University of Cincinnati Alumni Association and the Chicagoans for Cincy! Celebration committee, a group of dedicated alumni living in the Chicago area, will honor three outstanding Bearcats at this year’s annual Chicagoans for Cincy! Celebration. The event will take place Thursday, May 8, at 6 p.m. at Loft Lucia in Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood. Registration is open for alumni, friends and guests through April 30.
2025 Chicagoans for Cincy! Honorees
Farid Amirouche, PhD, CEAS ’79, ’81, ’84, Outstanding Achievement Honoree
Outstanding Achievement Award
Farid Amirouche, PhD, CEAS ’79, ’81, ’84
Farid Amirouche is a three-time UC graduate who studied engineering science aerospace and mechanical engineering with a focus on biomechanics. He is a professor, director and research scientist in the orthopaedic field. Amirouche is the author of several patents, is a fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and has been the CEO and president of several startups in the medical device industry. He has developed broad experience in orthopaedic biomechanics and related areas, working on innovative new solutions from concept phase to market readiness.
Bruce Hopple, Bus ’75, Law ’80, Distinguished Service Honoree
Distinguished Service Award
Bruce Hopple, Bus ’75, Law ’80
Bruce Hopple is a Senior Vice President for Avison Young’s tenant representation team, focusing on new business development and transaction advisory services. A Bearcat since birth as both his parents were UC graduates, Bruce has served as an active Chicago area alumni volunteer for over 25 years in a variety of ways, including his dedicated service on the Chicagoans for Cincy! planning committee. He was also instrumental in the success of the Sigma Sigma Men’s Honorary 125th Anniversary celebration, serving as a key member of the planning committee. His dedication and contributions made the celebration unforgettable, exemplifying his commitment to Sigma Sigma and UC. His additional community service has included a wide variety of board positions including Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter, USO of Illinois, March of Dimes, Leadership Greater Chicago Fellows Association, the Pilsen/Rauner Family YMCA, and Chicago Office Leasing Brokers Association.
Francie Ruppert, Bus ’19, ’20, Emerging Leader Honoree
Emerging Leader Award
Francie Ruppert, Bus ’19, ’20
Francie Ruppert is a Manager on the Global Menu Strategy Team at McDonald’s Corporation. She began her professional journey in 2019 as a McDonald’s marketing intern during her University of Cincinnati co-op rotation. In 2020, she took a full-time role as a Specialist on the company’s Alignment & Communications Team, then became a Supervisor on the U.S. Brand & Menu Strategy Team, playing a key role in leading the execution and strategy for the Desserts category. She joined the global team in the fall of 2024, focused on managing all of McDonald’s core menu items around the world.
"With Chicago being home to such a large and vibrant contingent of UC alumni, the Chicagoans for Cincy! Celebration is certainly one of our most significant events outside of Cincinnati each year,” said Jennifer Heisey, UC’s chief alumni officer. “It enables Chicagoland Bearcats to celebrate their ongoing relationship with UC, honor a trio of alumni for their professional and volunteer success, and help support the dreams of future alumni from the area.”
The Chicagoans for Cincy! Celebration is the primary fundraiser benefiting the Chicagoans for Cincy! Alumni Scholarship Fund which annually supports an incoming, first-year student from Chicagoland attending the University of Cincinnati. Since the Chicagoans for Cincy! Alumni Scholarship Fund was created in 2016, the endowment has grown to over $200,000. There are more than 4,700 UC alumni living in the Chicago area. From attending an event to networking with fellow alumni, co-op students and prospective students, there are many ways to get involved with the UC Alumni Chicago Network. Learn more on the UC Alumni Association’s website.
Featured image at top of alumni at the 2024 Chicagoans for Cincy! Celebration. Photo/UC Alumni Association.
Emma McAvoy
Program Director, Alumni Engagement, National Networks
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