Dr. M.E. Steele-Pierce Honored as UC Clermont's 2012 Distinguished Alumnus

UC Clermont College honored Dr. M.E. Steele-Pierce as the 2012 Distinguished Alumnus at the college’s Scholarship Luncheon today. The luncheon is held annually to recognize scholarship recipients, donors and a special alum.

The award is bestowed upon an individual who has distinguished themselves through significant professional accomplishment, made contributions to their community and attended UC Clermont College for at least one year. 

“Every time I drive up the hill to UC Clermont, I feel like it’s a homecoming, in the truest sense of the word, coming home. I am grateful to my Clermont family who continue to support and inspire me. Little could I have imagined over 30 years ago the catalyst this place would be for the direction of my life and my career,” said Steele-Pierce. 

Dr. Steele-Pierce is the assistant superintendent at West Clermont Local Schools. She has been a Clermont County educator for three decades. She is a first generation college student, graduating from UC Clermont College in 1982. Steele-Pierce went on to earn a bachelor of arts in English, a master’s in education administration and a doctorate in leadership and change. Her areas of expertise are adult learning and professional development, instructional leadership and technology.

“A true test of a quality UC Clermont College graduate is not only their academic performance while a student, but their performance as a professional in their community. With M.E. Steele-Pierce we have that example in spades. She personifies our message to students that they can start here and go anywhere. Dr. Steele-Pierce is a shining example of what our graduates are capable of doing,” said Dean Gregory S. Sojka.

Steele-Pierce has lived in Clermont County since 1978, she and her husband Bob live in Miami Township. She has two children, Amy and David, both Glen Este High School graduates and four grandchildren. She is on the board of Clermont Senior Services, serves on UC Clermont’s Proudly Cincinnati campaign committee and the college’s service learning advisory committee, is an alumnus of LEAD Clermont, represents k-12 schools on the state library of Ohio’s committee and is a member of the League of Women Voters.

“I love the UC Clermont tagline: The Power of UC, Close to Home. It’s true. When I think about this campus, I marvel at how the people here continue to support one another and are present for each other in a way that exemplifies true community,” said Steele-Pierce.

The luncheon provides a unique opportunity for students to meet their benefactors. Approximately 275 people attended the event on campus in the Student Activities Center.

Eighteen new scholarships were announced during the luncheon. They are: Anderson Hills Pediatrics Scholarship, Bachelor of Applied Administration Legacy Scholarship, Bonnie G. Camden Family Scholarship, E. Fidler Family Legal Aid Scholarship, Rosemary Imbronyev Memorial Scholarship, Kirschner Family Scholarship, Jennifer & Daryl Klein Book Scholarship, League of Women Voters Clermont County Janet Bramsen Memorial Scholarship, LOTH, Inc. Scholarship, Lunko Scholarship, E.C. Nurre Funeral Homes Scholarship, Rodenberg Family Foundation Scholarship, UC Clermont College Allied Health Scholarship, UC Clermont College Distinguished Alumni Scholarship, Village Association of Batavia Community Commitment Scholarship, Walker Family Scholarship, Juanita Werling Foundation Scholarship, Bruce A. Ziegler Aviation Scholarship.

Throughout its 40-year history, UC Clermont College has opened the door to higher education to thousands of students – many of whom believed a college degree to be an unattainable goal.