UC Blue Ash recognizes students for exceptional academic achievement and leadership
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.
Latest UC News
- Pianist, educator and scholar Lynn Worcester Jones joins CCM’s facultyUC College-Conservatory of Music Interim Dean Jonathan Kregor has announced the addition of Lynn Worcester Jones, DMA, to the college’s roster of distinguished performing and media arts faculty members. Jones is an innovative pianist, educator, writer, speaker, mentor and leader who encourages career preparation and excellence in students. She begins her new role as Associate Professor of Piano Pedagogy and Coordinator of Group Piano at CCM on Aug. 15, 2024.
- Residents concerned about high concentration of low-income housingEfforts to build more affordable housing in Cincinnati have created concerns for residents as low-income housing has been concentrated in some of the city’s poorest neighborhoods, WCPO reported. Gary Painter, PhD, the academic director of the University of Cincinnati’s Carl H. Lindner College of Business real estate program and a professor of real estate, said a complaint against the city could lead to positive outcomes.
- Is ketamine the answer to treatment-resistant depression?The University of Cincinnati's Stephen Rush joined WVXU's Cincinnati Edition to discuss the use of ketamine and esketamine to treat treatment-resistant depression.
- Scientists craft bold plan to unlock secrets of RNAUC Vice President for Research Patrick Limbach is a key figure in the National Academies’ massive undertaking to sequence RNA in the next 15 years.
- Fellowship aimed at diversifying the nursing workforce celebrates a meaningful milestoneTo help prepare and expand a nursing workforce that is reflective of and responsive to an increasingly diverse patient population, UC College of Nursing launched its Cultivating Undergraduate Nursing Resilience and Equity (CURE) program in the fall of 2021.
- GE Aerospace expands Next Engineers program for Cincinnati youthGE Aerospace Foundation is investing further in its Next Engineers program, including the Cincinnati location facilitated by the University of Cincinnati, extending the program locally through 2028. Engineering Academy, a three-year engineering education program for high-schoolers, graduated its first cohort of students. Students who complete the program and go on to pursue an engineering degree in college will receive a scholarship.
