Larry Elsasser Memorial Scholarship Award Winners Announced

A well-known Bearcat, Larry Elsasser, Ed ’65, MEd ’73, served as a UC employee for 35 years. For most of those years, Larry served as the director of Tangeman University Center (TUC). In 2011, the staff of Campus Services established the Larry Elsasser Memorial Scholarship Fund with the UC Foundation. The inaugural Larry Elsasser Memorial Scholarship recipients, Kelly Huston and Kati Klinger, were awarded $500 for the 2013 spring semester.

Kelly Huston began working at the MainStreet Connection Center (campus information desk) in TUC in 2008. Kelly says “working at the MainStreet Connection Center allows me to help alumni, current Bearcats, and future Bearcats, as well as the staff and faculty that make the university what it is. Many times alumni will stop by the information desk and usually say something like, “things sure have changed since I was a student here.” That reminds me that I am part of something bigger, and that no matter how much things change, one thing remains the same…that is the love one has for his/her alma mater.” Kelly will graduate in 2014 with bachelor’s degrees in construction management and architectural engineering. She has had cooperative education experiences at Bunnell Hill Construction Company in Lebanon and Varo Engineers in Columbus and studied abroad in London in 2011. Of her work, Information Center Manager Janet Wolf says, “I often call Kelly my hero because she is the one who I can count on when we are in a bind. She is so deserving of this award.”

Kati Klinger has worked for Campus Recreation since 2011, first as a fitness floor coordinator and nutrition consultant and now also as a building supervisor. Kati says, “it is apparent that I would not be who I am today without the experience of being a University of Cincinnati student employee. My employment has been my springboard, developing me personally and equipping me with all the necessary skills for future success.” In addition to working for Campus Recreation, Kati works in the College of Allied Health Sciences in the Dietetics area, and was a peer leader. She will graduate in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in dietetics. Of her work, Fitness & Wellness Coordinator Brandi Hester says, “Katy works very hard at her multiple jobs with Campus Recreation and also manages many extracurricular activities. I feel that she is beyond deserving of this scholarship.”

Determination of the scholarship was based on enrollment status, demonstrated need for the scholarship, work as a student employee, a GPA of 3.0 or better, and supervisor review and comments. The scholarship will be awarded annually. For information about donating to the Larry Elsasser Memorial Scholarship Fund, contact the UC Foundation.