Each of UC's 2,600 endowment funds has its own story and makes its own impact. Each one supports a specific scholarship, professorship, research project, or other program; and, ultimately, UC’s mission.
From helping a student afford to attend college, to sponsoring a lecture series that inspires a future career, to developing a life-saving drug, to exonerating an innocent life...their missions are varied and their stories and impacts reach far and wide; and it's the privilege of the Investment Office to work ambitiously day-by-day to drive investment gains in order to maximize those impacts.
Two programs we're particularly proud to support through the endowment are the Ohio Innocence Project (OIP) and the Gen-1 Impact House. These programs are making an immeasurable impact thanks, in part, to the perpetual gifts which helped to establish and continue to provide funds for each endeavor.
The goal of the Ohio Innocence Project is to exonerate every wrongly-convicted Ohioan. Harnessing the energy and intellect of UC law students as its driving force, OIP seeks to identify inmates in Ohio prisons who are actually innocent of the crimes they were convicted of committing. Since its founding in 2003, the Ohio Innocence Project has helped 42 individuals obtain their long-sought freedom.
We are their last hope. Someone to advocate and believe in them and fight for them when no one else will.
Mallorie Thomas Former OIP Fellow
Gen-1 is a groundbreaking UC program and the nation's first living-learning community to focus on first-generation college students. The Gen-1 Program was established in 2008 and is a living and learning community that shepherds Pell-eligible, 1st generation college students helping to ensure academic success through high-intensity advising, academic courses, and co-curricular experiences. One such measure of success is Gen-1's 92% 1st-to-2nd-year retention rate — well above the national rate of 62%.
September 8, 2025
WVXU host Zack Carreon hosted a segment reporting on the University of Cincinnati’s launch of a Center for Explainable, Ethical, and Trustworthy AI this fall within the College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Philosophy.
August 11, 2025
Ken Ludlow has a history of involvement with his alma mater, but recent events inspired him to create the Ken Ludlow Athletics Scholarship Endowment Fund for student-athletes and the Kenneth E. Ludlow Fund for Cancer Research at the UC College of Medicine and the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center. “I’m his inspiration,” Charlene Comeaux says.
August 6, 2025
The University of Cincinnati family lost one of its most outstanding Bearcats with the July 15 passing of Bill Mulvihill, Bus ’70. Over the last half-century, few people have been as involved in, committed to, and passionate about the University of Cincinnati as Bill. His impact on his alma mater has been incalculable.
August 5, 2025
For Sangeetha Sethi, DMD, and Manu Sethi, MD, Med ’96, the family-focused culture that surrounded them growing up played a significant role in their decision to create an endowed scholarship at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.
July 24, 2025
On a bright spring day at the University of Cincinnati’s Uptown Campus, Kim Dobbs, BSED ’78, and a group of students greet each other with smiles and hugs. They chat about summer plans and a shared appreciation for Mexican food. These student-athletes benefit from scholarships created by Kim and her late husband, Robert (Bob) Dobbs, BBA ’76, MBA ’88. In 2024, Dobbs made a planned gift supporting four scholarships for student-athletes on UC’s dance team, women’s tennis, the volleyball team and UC cheerleaders. These scholarships have supported 15 students since their inception. Dobbs has been giving to the university since 1978.
July 16, 2025
Tom met his wife, Pam Mischell, DAAP ‘71, as a University of Cincinnati student. When a date canceled his plans to go to a concert, he asked a Phi Kappa Theta fraternity brother to help him find a new date.
