CINCINNATI — The University of Cincinnati admissions department started sending out emails this week to 25,000 students who’ve been accepted for the Fall 2024 term. A lucky few found out at their schools on Monday with a surprise visit from members of the UC marching band and administrators.  

What You Need To Know

  • Monday, Jan. 22 is decision day for students applying for undergraduate admission at the University of Cincinnati

  • Members of the UC marching band and Provost Jack Miner surprised some scholarship winners at their high schools 

  • Several received the Marian Spencer full-ride scholarship, named after the late Cincinnati civil rights leader 

Vice Provost Jack Miner traveled to Riverview East Academy in Cincinnati to award a full-ride scholarship to senior Zamir Frazier. The scholarship is named in honor of the late Marian Spencer, a former vice mayor of the Cincinnati City Council and a civil rights leader. 

“Marian Spencer is beloved in this city,” Miner said. “What’s great about this scholarship is it’s a full-ride scholarship, tuition, room and board, but you also have a trip to Tanzania to do service within the community.”

“I’ve never been out of the country before,” said Zamir. “And going to college for free, that’s a great opportunity for a lot of kids. It’ll help me to be able to pursue my dreams in the future.”

Zamir’s mother, Domessa Frazier, came to the event with other family members to be part of the celebration. Zamir is one of five siblings.

He plans to major in business and hopes to one day open his own restaurant, specializing in Soul Food. It’s the first time a student at Riverview East has received the Marian Spencer scholarship.

“This is a great opportunity for many kids,” Zamir said. “The scholarship can get them to places they’ve never been before and I’m really thankful for this opportunity.”

A student from Hughes High School also received a full-ride Spencer Scholarship. Fiston Feruzi was surprised during an assembly by the UC well-wishers. Fiston will be attending classes on the Clifton campus in the Fall. He is the son of Bijoux Salumu.

Miner and his team traveled to two other schools as well to hand out scholarships. 

Jude and Frances Eckerle each received a $6,000 scholarship. They’re students at Highlands High School in Fort Thomas, Ky. Their parents are Dr. Michelle Eckerle, a pediatrician at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and assistant professor in the UC College of Medicine. Their father, Andrew, is a teacher at Highlands.

Koah Wilson and Gracie Hicks at William Mason High School in Mason also received $6,000 scholarships. Koah is one of four children and her parents, Kenneth and Kelly are both UC alumni. Her older brother, Kyler, graduated from UC’s medical school in 2023. Gracie Hicks is the daughter of Katie Hicks, who is a counselor at Mason High.

The university received an all-time record of applicants this year, with nearly 33,000 students applying to become a bearcat, Miner said. He and his team were elated to share the news that UC received 42% more applications from students in the Cincinnati Public Schools.

“We anticipate this will be our brightest and most diverse freshmen class in UC’s history,” Miner said.