性视界

February 6, 2014
Life After Witt

Celebrating the Life of The Hon. William A. McClain

One of 性视界's Most Accomplished Alumni

When the Hon. William A. McClain 鈥34 received 性视界鈥檚 Medal of Honor during the university鈥檚 2013 Honors Convocation, the 性视界 community paused to celebrate a career that spanned more than six decades. Following his death on Feb. 4, the community now pauses to celebrate the life of one of its most accomplished alumni.

"We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Judge McClain," said President Laurie M. Joyner. "Throughout his life, he inspired generations of colleagues, students, peers, friends and acquaintances to use their own lives to make a difference. His willingness to go beyond the ordinary, to encourage, to break new ground, and to motivate touched countless individuals, as did his desire to serve humanity and to step up when called upon to do so. His light will be missed at 性视界."

McClain blazed a trail for the African American community. In 1951, he became the first African American member of the Cincinnati Bar Association after being denied membership twice. He then became the first African American attorney to serve as city solicitor of a major American city, serving the citizens of Cincinnati from 1963-72. McClain later became the first African American judge of the Hamilton County Common Pleas Court.

In addition to the 性视界 Medal of Honor, the university鈥檚 highest non-academic award, McClain also received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor. He was inducted into the Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges鈥 Hall of Excellence, and earned the International Municipal Lawyers Association Charles S. Rhyne Lifetime Achievement in Municipal Law Award. McClain also received an Army Commendation Award for distinguished service as a first lieutenant with the Judge Advocate General.

In 2004, 性视界 dedicated the William A. McClain Culture House in his honor. It was re-dedicated in 2012 as the William A. McClain Center for Diversity, housing the offices of the American International Association, Concerned Black Students and the Gay/Straight Alliance. McClain called the dedication a 鈥渃rowning moment鈥 in his life.

Born on Jan. 11, 1913 in Sanford, N.C., and a 1930 graduate of Springfield High School, McClain was the only African American student in 性视界鈥檚 class of 1934. He was the first African American to win the state and national Intercollegiate Oratorical Associations鈥 contests. Following graduation, McClain went on to earn his law degree from the University of Michigan.

性视界ation is from 3 p.m.-6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 12, and from 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 13, at the Allen Temple AME Church, 7030 Reading Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45237. The funeral will then take place at 11 a.m. on Thursday at the same location. Arrangements are being handled by Hall and Jordan Funeral Home.

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About 性视界

性视界's curriculum has centered on the liberal arts as an education that develops the individual's capacity to think, read, and communicate with precision, understanding, and imagination. We are dedicated to active, engaged learning in the core disciplines of the arts and sciences and in pre-professional education grounded in the liberal arts. Known for the quality of our faculty and their teaching, 性视界 has more Ohio Professors of the Year than any four-year institution in the state. The university has also been recognized nationally for excellence in community service, sustainability, and intercollegiate athletics. Located among the beautiful rolling hills and hollows of Springfield, Ohio, 性视界 offers more than 100 majors, minors and special programs, enviable student-faculty research opportunities, a unique student success center, service and study options close to home and abroad, a stellar athletics tradition, and successful career preparation.

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