Profiles Of Excellence: Meet The UC Class Of 2004

Sometimes lost in the public's perception of a major research university consisting of more than 33,000 students is the impact that the pursuit and earning of a degree can have on an individual.

For some, it's a first step toward a goal they have dreamt about for a lifetime. For others, just earning their degree is a goal now realized. Some families will gather at Commencement, and stand and cheer for a little bit of history realized with a college graduate now a part of their family tree. Others will think about the sacrifices made to create a chance for one of their own to go to college, or about the continuation of a family tradition of placing the highest value on earning an education.

Whatever the circumstance, it is not a day where the story can be told in broad numbers. It's a day for celebrating the stories of accomplishment of thousands of individuals. With that in mind, we'd like to offer you a chance to learn more about some of the special graduates of the University of Cincinnati's Class of 2004.

• Micki Bigner of White Oak wasn’t exactly green with envy when her youngest daughter started at UC. But it motivated her to pluck up her courage and pursue a never-completed college degree and job in horticulture.
  
  
• UC graduate Cheryl Deardorff started college shortly out of high school 30 years ago, but then decided to put her degree on hold. Her advice for her son who’s entering UC this fall: Don’t stop, because it’s hard to go back!
  
  
• Jaleen Francois of West Chester is graduating Magna Cum Laude with a bachelor’s of science degree in graphic design. Her excellence in academics – combined with her passion in using her talent to expose the tough issues and demand change – has resulted in UC’s highest honor for a female graduate: the C-Ring Award.
  
  
• UC employee Arrietta Hairston says she was raised with a philosophy that emphasized lending a helping hand. As she neared graduation, she discovered her husband would suddenly need that support the most.
  
  
• Steve Kroeger will prepare students to teach in special education, a job that’s in top demand.
  
  
• Kristin Lack's completion of her bachelor's degree in political science this spring is just the first step down a pathway of making the country safer against threats posed by terrorism.
  
  
• Architecture graduate student Matt Lones is finishing up his UC education and his master’s thesis.  The development dreams that were the seeds of his thesis topic will soon become a waterfront reality along Lake Erie as the $132 million Bayfront Urban Revitalization Plan.
  
  
• Graduating senior Kyle Neumann used his exceptional leadership abilities to make a difference on campus and, in the process, earn the coveted "Mr. Bearcat" award.
  
  
• Siblings Rob and Lauren Reinerman found college to their liking even while in high school and, as a result, will graduate as two of the most accomplished students in the Class of 2004.
  
  
• The Presidential Leadership Medal of Excellence, UC's highest student awards for leadership and service, will be worn proudly by five graduates at the 2004 Commencement.