I came down for the game yesterday from Chicago (after an 8 hour drive in the snow Friday night). I was walking around the Student Rec Center while I was waiting for the Shoe to open and I saw President Ono. I heard he's very approachable so I introduced myself as an alumni and he thanked me for coming to the game from Chicago and for supporting the Bearcats. I thought that would be all but he continued talking with me for 15 minutes; what passion this man has for UC, both athletics and academics. He was very proud of the ACT scores of our incoming students and said that the ACT scores of our honor students are the same as Duke and some other prestigious universities.

He then invited me up to his suite to watch the game and have some drinks. I thought to myself, who is this guy? I went to his suite and he made me feel very welcome. He sat beside me and talked some more. I met a pre-law student who told me that he was talking to President Ono earlier in the week about something and Ono gave him a ticket to the game to be his guest.

What amazed me was President Ono didn't know me from Adam. He was appreciative of my support. But it made me feel good and you can bet the next time someone calls for donations I will increase what I am already giving.

Cool story I love hearing this stuff.

Thanks for sharing. Ono is cut from a different cloth than his peers at other Universities.
We are lucky to have him here.

Ono is awesome. My seats for football are in 119 right where he and others walk down and up from the field. He is always shaking hands and one time he took the red big hair wig and but it on his own head for pictures. I love this guy and the best thing for UC at this time.

Ono. The Anti-Zimph.

If you know Ono's background you understand him better.

He is the son of Japanese immigrants who came to the US after the war with basically pocket change. His parents are both very educated and pushed their children to dream big, work hard and value learning. When Ono was in high school he struggled with math. His mom went to class with him to help him master what was difficult.

At his announcement as UC's president his parents were there and they just beamed with pride.

Everything he has he's worked very hard for and I think really appreciates what UC offers to students just like him who aren't kids of privilege.

A chance.

He also understands that our athletic programs are a point of pride for students and alums and the value that the positive exposure brings to UC. Most academics don't understand that.

(02-16-2014 12:36 PM)bcat80 Wrote:  I came down for the game yesterday from Chicago (after an 8 hour drive in the snow Friday night). I was walking around the Student Rec Center while I was waiting for the Shoe to open and I saw President Ono. I heard he's very approachable so I introduced myself as an alumni and he thanked me for coming to the game from Chicago and for supporting the Bearcats. I thought that would be all but he continued talking with me for 15 minutes; what passion this man has for UC, both athletics and academics. He was very proud of the ACT scores of our incoming students and said that the ACT scores of our honor students are the same as Duke and some other prestigious universities.

He then invited me up to his suite to watch the game and have some drinks. I thought to myself, who is this guy? I went to his suite and he made me feel very welcome. He sat beside me and talked some more. I met a pre-law student who told me that he was talking to President Ono earlier in the week about something and Ono gave him a ticket to the game to be his guest.

What amazed me was President Ono didn't know me from Adam. He was appreciative of my support. But it made me feel good and you can bet the next time someone calls for donations I will increase what I am already giving.

that's awesome. Thanks for sharing and thanks for traveling so far in bad weather to support the bearcats.

what is the similararity between President ONO and former president Nancy Zimpher.....absolutely NOTHING...Ono has tremendous class and has a love for the university that he is head of. Nancy , the evil witch, had nothing even close to that.

(02-16-2014 03:14 PM)bearcat54 Wrote:  

(02-16-2014 12:36 PM)bcat80 Wrote:  I came down for the game yesterday from Chicago (after an 8 hour drive in the snow Friday night). I was walking around the Student Rec Center while I was waiting for the Shoe to open and I saw President Ono. I heard he's very approachable so I introduced myself as an alumni and he thanked me for coming to the game from Chicago and for supporting the Bearcats. I thought that would be all but he continued talking with me for 15 minutes; what passion this man has for UC, both athletics and academics. He was very proud of the ACT scores of our incoming students and said that the ACT scores of our honor students are the same as Duke and some other prestigious universities.

He then invited me up to his suite to watch the game and have some drinks. I thought to myself, who is this guy? I went to his suite and he made me feel very welcome. He sat beside me and talked some more. I met a pre-law student who told me that he was talking to President Ono earlier in the week about something and Ono gave him a ticket to the game to be his guest.

What amazed me was President Ono didn't know me from Adam. He was appreciative of my support. But it made me feel good and you can bet the next time someone calls for donations I will increase what I am already giving.

that's awesome. Thanks for sharing and thanks for traveling so far in bad weather to support the bearcats.

Well I was rewarded with a good game and a sellout! We almost lit the cpaw on the sound meter a few times. It reminded me of the old days.

(02-16-2014 03:16 PM)bearcat54 Wrote:  what is the similararity between President ONO and former president Nancy Zimpher.....absolutely NOTHING...Ono has tremendous class and has a love for the university that he is head of. Nancy , the evil witch, had nothing even close to that.

Zimpher was arrogant and appeared narcissistic to me. Ono is very humble and truly enjoys interacting with people.

Ono loves UC and the people who make up the school

Zimpher loves zimpher.

Simples

(02-16-2014 12:36 PM)bcat80 Wrote:  ..... you can bet the next time someone calls for donations I will increase what I am already giving.

great story....but you don't have to wait for UC to call you and ask you to donate more. :)