Against the backdrop of the UC Alumni Association's "All-American Homecoming 2008," a cross-section of alumni and one student answered the question, "Why are you 'Proudly Cincinnati'?"

Mark Kremer, Eng '92, Milwaukee
After spending the day with me touring campus and attending the football game, my son Jack asked if he could go to school at UC when he was older. Now that makes me proud to be a part of the University of Cincinnati.

Jason Shine, A&S '94, San Francisco
When I proudly wear my C-paw on the West Coast, people notice. People are starting to learn more and more about the Bearcats. It seems like our academic and athletic reputation is on the fast track today more than ever, and I'm proud to tell everybody I'm a Bearcat.

Jason Shine, A&S '94, San Francisco
When I proudly wear my C-paw on the West Coast, people notice. People are starting to learn more and more about the Bearcats. It seems like our academic and athletic reputation is on the fast track today more than ever, and I'm proud to tell everybody I'm a Bearcat.

Whitney Gaskins, Eng '08, MS student, Cincinnati (2009 Miss Black Ohio USA)
I'm "Proudly Cincinnati' because UC helped shape me into the responsible, independent, educated young woman I am today. The amount of support I've received from the faculty and staff is amazing. They have been there for me, not only through school-related issues, but also through life. It is truly a family atmosphere at UC, and I'm happy to continue my education here and be part of the extended family.

George Kralovich, Bus '64, '65, Detroit
Co-op education makes me proud. Without it, I and many other top students would not have been able to attend such a quality university as UC. They would have spent many hours working and not focusing on their schoolwork. They would have graduated with a large debt and left with little understanding of real-world jobs. Class discussions would have had much less depth. And many companies would not have focused their dollars on UC or recruited on the UC campus. The UC co-op program is an important part of the real educational process and not a "name only" program that leaves students to fend for themselves. It is world-class and gives UC a "wow" factor.

Steve Kutscher, A&S '90, Hartford, Conn.
I'm proud of my UC affiliation for many reasons:

UC provides a real-world student experience while always aspiring to improve itself.

My son and I attended Homecoming -- his first time on campus and my first in a while. Pastoral campuses are beautiful, but UC's "city campus" is impressive, functional and beautiful. Living at UC prepared me to feel comfortable traveling to U.S. cities and abroad.

The never-ending process of envisioning, planning and building today's campus symbolizes UC. I feel connected to the campus because in my undergraduate years, I saw the wheels of progress moving. It's gratifying to see those plans and progress achieved.

UC's diversity enriched my college experience, as I met people who were different from me and those in my high school. As an alumnus, I appreciate UC's diversity even more because of how it helped prepare me for life after college.

I think the influence of UC's "working student" population benefits the individual student and also the student body. It makes for a more experienced and mature classroom and social environment.

I like that UC is often an underdog. I love to watch the Bearcats, even when we aren't supposed to win -- the victories are that much sweeter. I also enjoy reading about research achievements that people wouldn't expect from UC. It provides the opportunity to surprise someone with a fact about our achievements.

At UC, I learned the importance of the journey rather than the destination.

Ryan Pontsler, Bus '11, Monclova, Ohio
When I was trying to decide on a college, my father suggested that I consider where I'd feel the most pride in where I was and what I'd be doing. That "pride factor" helped me choose UC, and three years later, I know I made the right decision. I'm proud to be part of, and contribute to, this great community.

Lorraine Gerth Schroeder, Ed '80, Cincinnati
The campus bustles with enthusiasm, and you never know what you might see -- from the Bearcat "high-fiving" thrilled children, to friends old and new packing the Alumni Center tailgate lot and then packing Nippert Stadium, to engineering students flying a paper airplane as big as a car off the roof of Calhoun Garage onto the soccer field! The UC family is friendly, dynamic and determined.

Marilyn Simon, A&S '79, MEd '82, RWC assistant professor of criminal justice
I never could have achieved what I have without my quality UC education; supportive teaching experiences, including great faculty-development programs; and support from the community in terms of service-learning placements for my students. UC has provided me with every opportunity to be successful, and I feel fortunate and grateful.

Alan Robbins, Bus '76, St. Louis
Students have a choice when they enroll. They can pay tuition,†do the required work, get the degree, get a job and move on. Or they can really get involved, which means they'll grow personally, be engaged in the university and make a difference. The stronger UC is, the more my degree means. The greater the leadership positions I experienced on campus, the better prepared I've been to handle circumstances in the future.

Ken Bartley, Bus '87, Springboro, Ohio
Because I moved several times as I grew up, the University of Cincinnati became my home for the longest period of my life. From the top floor of Calhoun Hall to an apartment on Ohio Avenue, my UC years were filled with great times and friendships that have lasted a lifetime. I've been "Proudly Cincinnati" since 1981, and I keep coming back to UC because it is like coming back home.