UC Blue Ash adds new recognition to annual Distinguished Awards

Henry Comer is the 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient for UC Blue Ash.

The University of Cincinnati Blue Ash College added a new feature to its annual awards ceremony that recognizes faculty, staff and alumni for outstanding achievements and impressive work throughout their career.

The annual UC Blue Ash Distinguished Awards ceremony was held on Oct. 3 on the UC Blue Ash campus. This year's event also honored two volunteers, Grant Gilbert and Jeff Porter, who are the first to ever receive the Exceptional Volunteer Service Award. It is in recognition of their dedication to serving hundreds of students through the Mathematics Lab for more than 15 years.

"It's really nice to be recognized, but on the other hand I didn't need that. I have too much fun doing it," said Gilbert. He is a former emergency care physician who retired early due to hearing loss. Gilbert came to UC Blue Ash to take some classes after retiring and discovered the Mathematics Lab. Shortly after that, he began volunteering and continues to return each year because of the enjoyment he receives from helping others.

Porter also said it's the gratitude of the students, along with his genuine love for math, that has kept him involved with the lab for so many years.

Henry Comer (UC Blue Ash '09, UC Arts & Sciences '11) is this year's UC Blue Ash Distinguished Alumni Award recipient. He has excelled in business and politics after taking a different path through college.

Comer played football for UC for a few years in the 1990s after walking on to the team. He enjoyed that time but left the university before earning a degree. When he returned to school several years later, he enrolled at UC Blue Ash and found a supportive environment that made the transition back to higher education smoother than expected.

UC Blue Ash Dean Robin Lightner (left) presented the Exceptional Volunteer Service Awards to Jeff Porter (center) and Grant Gilbert.

"After 15 years of being out of school you're not really sure of yourself, but when I came to UC Blue Ash they made me feel comfortable," Comer said. "One of the things that stuck out to me was that the professors really care. It was more than just coming to class and learning. It was almost like a family environment."

Comer earned his associate degree in psychology and went on to complete his bachelor's degree at the UC Uptown campus. He has spent most of his professional career in London, Ohio where he is a successful business owner, serves on several local boards and is very active in the community. He has served as a member of the London City Council and just finished his second term as city council president. He has also been an active member of the UC Blue Ash Alumni Council and still attends college events from time to time.

Below is the full list of the 2024 UC Blue Ash College Distinguished Award winners.

• Henry Comer - Distinguished Alumni Award
• David Freeman, PhD - Faculty Exemplary Scholarship Award
• Joe Gallagher, PhD - Provost Award for Faculty Excellence
• Grant Gilbert - Exceptional Volunteer Service Award
• Hung Koo - Student-Centered Staff Award
• Laurie Malone - Staff Distinguished Service Award
• Sarah Grace McCollough - Rising Star Award
• Lizzie Ngwenya-Scoburgh, PhD - Inclusive Excellence Award
• Amber Peplow, PhD - Provost Faculty Excellence Award
• Jeff Porter - Exceptional Volunteer Service Award
• Nahreen Rahman - Honored Adjunct Teaching Award
• Dean Stocker, PhD - Innovative Teaching Award
• Lisa Timman - Distinguished Teaching Award

Videos featuring each of the 2024 Distinguished Awards recipients are available to view on the UC Blue Ash YouTube page.

Peter Gemmer

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