The answer is . . .

The category: "Common Bonds." The answer: "Capistrano Swallows, undeliverable mail and 'Jeopardy!' champs." The question: "What are things that come back?"

And come back he did. "Jeopardy!" fans saw Dave Abbott, CCM '79, return to the $100,000 Tournament of Champions last year to win it all.

An attorney for General Electric, Abbott credited his UC-derived background in music for helping him to play through mistakes--whether playing the tuba in front of a small audience or "Jeopardy!" in front of millions of viewers.

Abbott qualified for the annual championship after winning on five consecutive nights. He barely clinched the championship round after gambling his entire earnings in the final round and writing the correct question to this answer: "Around 1850, it used a fleet of over 700 ships; by 1930, this U.S. industry was practically defunct." Question: "What is whaling?"

Doctors trained to understand economics, finance

If it seems as though the health-care field has fallen into a struggle between doctors and professionals with no medical training, the College of Business Administration (CBA) plans to start changing that by training doctors to understand economics, finance, marketing and management. Last summer, CBA joined the College of Medicine to offer a new degree, an MD/MBA, in which medical students can add one year to their four-year MD programs to earn two degrees at the same time.

"Tremendous changes have occurred in the business side of the health-care industry," says Jim Bast, CBA assistant dean of graduate programs. "The MD/MBA program will give future physicians the medical skills to manage the health-care needs of their patients and the business skills to manage their practice or a health-care organization."

Dole: Try 'a life of service'

Elizabeth Dole, a presidential hopeful last summer, didn't ask for votes when she came to UC in June, but she did ask graduates for something else: their involvement in public service. She recommended "a life of service" as one of the most satisfying ways to live.

Dole's 30-year career as a public servant, including her years as president of the American Red Cross, prompted her invitation to speak at UC's June 12 commencement ceremonies. She also received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree.

Dole has served as both the U.S. secretary of labor and secretary of transportation, special assistant to President Reagan and a member of the Federal Trade Commission.

Also honored at commencement were business leader and former UC Board of Trustees chair George Strike with a Doctor of Humane Letters; internationally renowned ballerina and teacher Marianna Tcherkassky with a Doctor of Performing Arts; and UC Opera program chair and key developer of CCM's Opera Theatre of Lucca, Italy, Malcolm Fraser with the 1999 University of Cincinnati Award for Excellence.

Good mood food?

Mom always said that eating fish was good for your brain, but can it also help relieve depression? UC researchers think it might.

At the College of Medicine, biological psychiatrists are investigating the effectiveness of a well-known nutritional supplement derived from fish oil. Offered free of charge to eligible volunteers with diagnosed depression, this natural remedy may become an alternate therapy to some traditional treatments that have unpleasant side effects. Interested volunteers may find out if they qualify by calling (513) 558-3249.

Friday flicks

Having a "sit-in" took on a whole new meaning in early October as students made themselves comfortable on Sigma Sigma Commons to watch "The Matrix" on a large movie screen erected for the occasion. The event was part of "Friday Night Live," an alcohol-free alternative to the bar and party scene. A handful of UC organizations offered "Friday Night Live" events throughout the fall.

Two sisters, graduates of UC's College of Education in the 1920s, are the source of one of the largest undergraduate merit awards available at a U.S. public university. The gift: an entire year of financial support for an exemplary UC senior who is committed to a career of teaching young children.

Katherine Wright, Ed '24, and Pearl M. Wright, Ed '29, life-long educators in the Cincinnati Public Schools, established the award through a $660,000 bequest. Elementary education major Dewana Guill is the first recipient.

College of Education, Criminal Justice and Human Services scholarships

Big heart

Though small in stature, Billy Barty (right) is big on dreams. The 3-foot-9 actor recently visited UC's Arlitt Child and Family Research and Education Center to advance the "Peer Support" program, a proposed national network for the dwarf population. He is currently working with the UC College of Education to secure funding. A well-known Little Person, Barty has appeared in more than 200 films, including "Willow," "Legend" and "Rumpelstiltskin."

Little People of America Web site

• Munich, Germany--where seven students took intensive courses in German language and culture
• Queretaro, Mexico--where 14 students studied Spanish and Mexican business, history and culture, while living with local families
• Copenhagen, Denmark--where 19 students studied Danish architecture and design
• Nantes, France--where 27 UC students studied French, as well as French and European businesses and contemporary civilizations
• Thailand and Singapore--where 15 MBA students learned about Asian business and attended a seminar
• Paris, France--where a small group of students joined a study tour of Gothic Paris

UC International Programs

Reason to celebrate

Graduation is always a joyous occasion, but the African American Cultural and Research Center made it even more so in June with Tyehimba, an Afrocentric celebration that acknowledged graduates' achievements and allowed them to thank family, friends and the community for their assistance. The word "tyehimba" means "we stand as a nation."

Photo/David Baxter

Biting wisdom -- woof

If you have to choose between being bitten by a dog or by a person, choose the canine! Even physicians agree. "A dog's mouth is much cleaner than those of humans or cats," says Alexander Trott, MD, professor of emergency medicine at UC's College of Medicine.

Trott has developed wound management procedures for physicians, including a table that shows which antibiotics work best for frequently found bacteria in animal-bite wounds. Human bites demand immediate medical treatment by a physician.

"Patients with a human bite to the hand are always admitted for intravenous antibiotics because we know how terrible the infection can be," Trott says. "Human mouths are like sewers."

"Dog bites require special medical attention" (1999)

Power lunch in the Big Apple

Secrets of success in the corporate world topped the menu at UC's first business networking luncheon for alumnae and friends in New York City last May.

Sharing stories of overcoming career obstacles were keynote presenter Colombe M. Nicholas, JD '68, (left) former president of Anne Klein Group, and panelist Alyson Bristol, CCM '75, (right) vice president for promotions and marketing, Macy's Parade and annual events. Enjoying the conversation is Stephanie Harris, UC Foundation director of corporate relations.

Other prominent alumnae who served on the panel were Janis Conner, CCM '72, partner, Conner-Rosenkranz Gallery; Lyn Kohls, DAAP '82, president, Lyn Kohls fashion design; and Lynn Shostack, DAAP '68, chairman, Joyce International.

UC Alumni Association