Sisters and Bearcats

Sandra Crawfis, CEAS ’83, began visiting the University of Cincinnati’s campus when she was eight years old and her two older sisters were students. Crawfis always knew she would follow them to UC.

“It was just what we did in my family,” says the Milford, Ohio, native. “We visited campus.”

The three Crawfis sisters and UC alumnae are keeping up the family tradition. One after the other, they returned to Cincinnati after successful careers. Sisters Sandy; Pat, A&S ’73, and Cheryl, A&S ’76, spend a lot of time together; this includes attending UC home football games.

Returning to her hometown after retiring prompted Crawfis to ponder her success. 

“I’ve been reflecting on my great life and what got me to this point,” she shares. “One of the pillars was my education at UC, and I’d like to give that opportunity to a young adult.”

This led to her gift to create the Sandra Crawfis Scholarship Endowment Fund for chemical engineering students enrolled in UC’s College of Engineering and Applied Science. Sandy says she learned critical thinking skills and perseverance at UC, which led to a satisfying and fruitful livelihood.

“When I was at UC, you knew that you had endless possibilities and could do whatever you wanted to do,” she remembers. “I want to help give a student a similar life.”

Crawfis spent much of her engineering career working in the automotive industry in Michigan, including a stint in England. 

Her return to Cincinnati coincides with a new discovery: UC’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI). Crawfis is a board member and OLLI participant, taking math and science classes. Plus, her two favorite Bearcats — her sisters — are also involved.

Because that’s what they do in their family. 

Featured image at top: Sandra Crawfis. Photo/Colleen Kelley/UC Creative.