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 UC’s 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 UC’s 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 life’s 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

More than half of UC’s alumni live outside of the Cincinnati area, so it’s 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

Alumni Association website

.