Lindner Business Honors Homecoming spotlights student-athletes

Deputy Director of Athletics and Senior Woman Administrator Maggie McKinley (middle) with current LBH student athletes (from left) Luke Browning, Sophie Schuetze, Jocelyn Willis and Claire Curtsinger. Not pictured: Carly Glendinning.

• Claire Curtsinger, cross country, third year
• Jocelyn Willis, cross country, second year
• Luke Browning, cheer, second year
• Sophie Schuetze, swimming and diving, second year
• Carly Glendinning, volleyball, third year

McKinley, who was instrumental to the success of Jason and Travis Kelce's live "New Heights" show in April, said that the event was a reminder that "college athletics is no longer about the game on the field, where success is measured by wins and losses. It's a full-scale business and marketing opportunity for universities and students alike."

McKinley added that over the 2023-24 academic year, UC student athletes inked more than 760 NIL deals. In closing, the former UC track and field student athlete called to attention the importance of lifelong learning.

"I encourage all of us, especially my fellow alumni, to learn new skills, stay informed about industry changes or be open to new ideas," McKinley said. "Continuous growth is essential for long-term success."

Roddell McCullough (far right), Senior Vice President, Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer, First Financial Bank, speaks with LBH students.

LBH Alumni Board chair Anna McCuiston, Bus '06, outlined the avenues available for alumni to engage with students prior to introducing Cory Sims, Bus '11, the recipient of the 2024 Norman R. Baker Outstanding Alumni Award. Sims, managing member, investment adviser representative, at Sims Investment Management, counts past president of the Lindner Alumni Council among his many Lindner and UC involvements.

Sims started the Sims Family Scholarship Fund in 2017 to support LBH students. As a unique and generous way of celebrating special occasions, Sims asks friends and family to donate to the Sims Family Scholarship Fund in lieu of buying him birthday and Christmas gifts. This gesture ensures that Sims will support future business problem solvers for years to come.

"There's a lot of talk about why college is even necessary these days. But what you can't get through technology or AI is human connection. The friendships and bonds. The relationships with your professors. These are the things that we have to continue to pour into this institution," said Sims. "I also firmly believe in what Mr. Lindner said about this city going as far as this university goes because we need high-quality talent for our employers to hire. That's why the work we do at UC and the Lindner College of Business is so important."

Featured image at top(from left): LBH Alumni Board chair Anna McCuiston, Bus '06; Deputy Director of Athletics and Senior Woman Administrator Maggie McKinley; Norman R. Baker Outstanding Alumni Awardee Cory Sims, Bus '11; Josh Kramer, Bus '12; Lindner Business Honors Director Ruth Seiple; and Lindner Dean Marianne Lewis, PhD. Photos/Joseph Fuqua II.

Lindner Business Honors seeks ambitious students who are intellectually curious, face new challenges head-on and want to hone their talents and take control of opportunities that will propel them into their future careers. Interested high school seniors must complete their application by Dec. 1 for consideration.