UC Blue Ash recognizes students for exceptional academic achievement and leadership

The Bearcat came dressed for the occasion and received star treatment.

The University of Cincinnati Blue Ash College recently hosted a special event that recognized students for exceptional achievements during the 2023-24 academic year. The honorees included academic award winners, student organization leaders and the 2024 Honor Student of the Year.

"UC Blue Ash College Celebrating the Best" was held on April 25 at the Cooper Creek Event Center in Blue Ash. The event featured a short program, reception and photo station as students received their award certificates and honor cords (for Latin Honors graduates). The UC Bearcat also made an appearance and was dressed appropriately in his red and black tuxedo.

Eric Kniffen, 2024 UC Blue Ash Honor Student of the Year, speaking during Celebrating the Best.

Each of the 14 Honor Student of the Year (HSOY) candidates were recognized during the program before Eric Kniffen, the 2024 HSOY, was announced and invited to the stage to share his speech. Kniffen is a sophomore from Lebanon, Ohio who is studying medical laboratory science and plans to transition to the UC Uptown campus to complete his bachelor's degree. While excelling in the classroom as a student, he was also very involved on campus as a student ambassador, tutor in the Science Learning Lab and peer mentor for the Career Services office.

In his speech, Kniffen spoke about using relentlessness as his theme for this year and how he has applied that to pursuing his education and committing to be actively involved as a student at UC Blue Ash.

Below is the full list of the UC Blue Ash 2024 Honor Student of the Year nominees, along with their academic program.

• Sepideh Aliyazdi, Biology
• Aida Borch, Communication
• Paige Belbot, Liberal Arts
• Victoria Fitzgerald, Dental Hygiene
• Philip Hilger, Radiologic Technology
• Eric Kniffen, Medical Laboratory Science
• Benjamin Mohler, Nursing
• Sidney Ngo, Public Health
• Lili O'Connell, Social Work
• Sydney Poeppelmeier, Psychology
• Sinia Rodriguez, Veterinary Technology
• Kyle Rosa, Information Technology
• Sophia Sharpshair, Early Care & Education
• Zoe Woodward, Environmental Studies

Several students were also honored for their service to the college and their involvement on campus. This group included student ambassadors, student government leaders, students who completed an internship or co-op and those who took a leadership role in student organizations and clubs on campus.

A total of 105 UC Blue Ash students were recognized as graduating with Latin Honors, meaning they maintained a cumulative grade point average of 3.6 or higher (out of a 4.0 scale). All of the honorees for the Celebrating the Best event are featured on a dedicated page on the college's website.

Each year, more than 650 UC Blue Ash students transition to the UC Uptown campus to complete their bachelor's degree or attend graduate school. Statistics show they are well prepared for this next step - they have a combined GPA of 3.2 in their first year after making the transition.

Featured Image: Several students pose with their award certificates during the Celebrating the Best reception.

Peter Gemmer

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