![Eric Abercrumbie](https://www.uc.edu/news/articles/legacy/enews/2011/05/e13643/jcr:content/image.img.cq5dam.thumbnail.500.500.jpg/1534516446904.jpg)
A&S Grads Receive Awards from UC Alumni Association
Two McMicken College of Arts & Sciences alumni have been selected to receive awards from the University of Cincinnati Alumni Association in recognition of their contributions to the university and community.
The awards will be presented June 9 at the UC Day Celebration, to be held at the Kingsgate Marriott on UCs campus.
P. Eric Abercrumbie, Interdisciplinary Studies, 87
Mosaic Award
The University of Cincinnati is known for being a leader in the field of diversity both in visionary and practical terms and Eric Abercrumbie is one of the people most responsible. His work over the years as a faculty and staff leader at UC, and likewise as a leader in the community, has affected the lives of countless students, colleagues and citizens.
Throughout his career, Abercrumbie has been driven to help create greater equity of opportunity for the underrepresented, and his efforts have earned him many distinctions. He is an accomplished educator, administrator, innovator, collaborator, advocate, ambassador and mentor. And through his efforts in those roles at UC, his determination and compassion have altered the institutional landscape.
He is a consummate humanitarian at heart who has a genuine love for people, said UCs One Stop Student Services Director Cecily Goode in nominating Abercrumbie. As someone who matured during the Civil Rights movement, he has a special affinity for the African American experience and has taken special note as his lifes passion to educate others about the extraordinary impact African Americans have had, and continue to have, on the American experience from which we all have benefited. Without question, the University of Cincinnati has become a more sensitive, race-conscious, diverse institution due to the efforts of Dr. Abercrumbie.
The Mosaic Award is presented to an alumnus/alumna whose leadership enhances our shared community through cultivating collaboration, fostering inclusiveness, championing the cause of the underrepresented, and promoting equity and opportunity for all.
David Watkins, Communication, 92
Alumni Distinguished Service Award
David Watkins
More than half of UCs alumni live outside of the Cincinnati area, so its a university priority to provide opportunities for their meaningful engagement. The model for doing that has become what David Watkins has done in Chicago. Watkins worked in the sales and marketing division of Ford Motor Company for 10 years and for the last eight years he has been a residential real estate agent with Coldwell Banker in Chicago.
Watkins was a mentor and connector with his fellow Bearcats as a student, so it was natural to continue in that role as an alum after his 1992 graduation. His love for UC found a tremendous outlet through the UC Alumni Association, building and coordinating the Chicago alumni network. For 18 years, he has essentially been Mr. UC in ChicagoLand organizing and hosting countless game-watches, cultural and networking opportunities, senior sendoffs and other events; recruiting students to UC from Chicago; assisting in the development and implementation of the UCAA Network Committee structure and mentoring other network leaders in the process; creating partnerships with Chicago businesses on behalf of UC (including establishing the official home for UC-related events in Chicago); and serving on the UCAA Board of Governors, Phi Delta Theta Housing Corporation and Proudly Cincinnati Campaign Committee (which has included blogging about UC activities in the Chicago area).
Through it all, Watkins has been a diligent, passionate and generous representative of the university while leading the fifth-largest contingent of Bearcat alumni outside of Cincinnati.
The Alumni Distinguished Service Award recognizes alumni who have rendered outstanding, faithful and selfless service to their alma mater.
For a full list of UC award recipients, visit the
.
Related Stories
How to keep birds from flying into your windows
![Yahoo! News icon](/content/dam/refresh/uc-news/news-icons/dark/yahoo.png)
July 3, 2024
UC College of Arts and Sciences professor Ron Canterbury tells the Indianapolis Star that simple steps can prevent birds from strike windows around your home or business. Yahoo! News shares the story.
Meet UC’s Miss Ohio
July 1, 2024
UC biomedical science student Stephanie Finoti credits UC for helping to prepare her for the Miss Ohio Scholarship Pageant. She will represent Ohio in the national competition in January.
UC alum credits journalism program with early success
June 26, 2024
Zachary Jarrell came to the University of Cincinnati in 2019 to pursue a degree in statistics. In 2023, he graduated with a Bachelor’s in Journalism. For many undergraduates, the journey through college rarely takes the expected track. Detours happen, and majors change. When plans switch up, it can be helpful to a student’s success to find support. For Jarrell, it was the people he worked alongside in the journalism department who helped him on his journey. It has left a lasting impression on his life so far, guiding him to multiple internships as an undergraduate, real-world experience in prominent news outlets, and eventually a successful career in the highly competitive field of journalism.