The Cincinnati Herald recently reported that the Cincinnatus Association held their 10th Annual Donald and Marian Spencer "Spirit of America" Awards ceremony on May 20, celebrating the significant contributions of local nonprofits and businesses to the Cincinnati community. The event, which took place at the Hyatt Regency in Cincinnati, drew almost 400 attendees, including five honorees: ArtWorks, Cincinnati Children’s, Cincinnati Works, Found House IHN, and Union Savings Bank and Guardian Savings Bank.
The Spencer Awards recognize individuals and organizations that echo the civic spirit of Marian and Donald Spencer, esteemed University of Cincinnati alumni. Known for their strides in civil rights and community engagement, the Spencers' legacy illuminates the paths tread by those fighting to uplift and integrate the community fabric. Donald Spencer, according to the Cincinnati Herald, as obtained by UC News, was also remembered as a trailblazer across various local institutions, including being the first Black trustee at Ohio University.
Another focal point of the ceremony was the recognition of the Marian Spencer Scholarship program at the University of Cincinnati. Made possible by a $6 million investment from UC alumnus and venture capitalist Jim Goetz and matching funds from the university, the scholarship annually awards 10 graduates from Cincinnati Public Schools with full tuition, room, and board.
While bestowing the awards, the Cincinnatus Association's chair of the Spencer Dinner Committee, Susan Noonan, shared her thoughts. She said through UC News, "When reading the nominations we receive each year for the Spencer Awards, the outstanding work being done by so many organizations in our community to improve the lives of our citizens is an inspiration to us all." She pointed out the honorees' tireless efforts to aid those in pursuit of their "Cincinnati Dream" mirrored through the lens of Marian and Donald Spencer's enduring commitment to civil rights and community service.
The evening also commemorated Marian Spencer's tireless efforts in securing equal access and rights within the community. Notable among her many accomplishments, Marian worked to desegregate the Coney Island amusement park's swimming pool to enable her children, along with others, to swim freely. Years later, a residence hall at the University of Cincinnati was named in her honor, reflecting a stark contrast to her time as a student when she was barred from on-campus housing due to her race.
Marian Spencer, alongside her numerous contributions, gifted the university 80 years of Cincinnati's civil rights history. Papers, music, and memoranda from the Marian and Donald Spencer Collection will serve to illuminate students' understanding of the local struggle for equality for generations to come.
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