It is with deep sadness that the University and college reflects on the passing of Mr. Carl H. Lindner Jr. Mr. Lindner was an incredible man of substance, having risen as an internationally recognized businessman and philanthropist from humble beginnings. Equally important, he was a person of vision and integrity who was not only passionate about his businesses, but was deeply committed to the success of our university and the City of Cincinnati. Mr. Lindner was a person who was ahead of his time and unique in taking on the simultaneous roles of industry and community leader. He will be deeply missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family during this time of mourning.
As you know, the college and the university have been extremely fortunate to benefit from Mr. Lindner’s generosity and program support. Most recently, we were honored with the naming of the college in June 2011. This was a transformational event in the long and storied history of our school. Inarguably, there is a renewed sense of pride that results from being the Carl H. Lindner College of Business. It not only sets us apart from all other colleges of business, but it is a message to our alumni, students, faculty, staff, and business supporters that we embrace the values of innovation, entrepreneurship, personal fortitude and integrity that defined Mr. Lindner.
Remembering Carl H. Lindner Jr.
Carl H. Lindner Jr. 1919–2011
Mr. and Mrs. Carl H. Lindner with Dean David M. Szymanski and President Gregory H. Williams
Just last Tuesday, October 11, I attended a celebration for Mr. Lindner, hosted by President Gregory H. Williams, to acknowledge the impact Mr. Lindner has had on the university, this college and our city. Mr. Lindner was in attendance, happy, bright-eyed, and deeply pleased and moved by the outpouring of gratitude from the family, close friends, and key UC administrators. You could see an ever greater sense of pride and joy when he was talking to our students. He really enjoyed himself.
As is widely known, Mr. Lindner began his career with his father, two brothers and sister when they founded United Dairy Farmers in 1940. He was also founder and chairman of the board of American Financial Group, Inc. His charitable involvement and business and civic awards are too exhaustive to list here, but let me acknowledge his long partnership with our college in particular. His sons, Carl III and Craig, graduated from our business college in the 1970s. In 1985, our current home was completed and dedicated as Carl H. Lindner Hall, and the college established the Carl H. Lindner Award for Outstanding Business Achievement in his honor. In 1997, the college named its first business honors program, funded by an endowment from Mr. Lindner, the Carl H. Lindner Honors-PLUS program.
Mr. Lindner will be deeply missed, but his legacy and spirit will live on in our community, our college and the future generations of graduates from the Carl H. Lindner College of Business.
David M. Szymanski, PhD
Dean and Professor of Marketing
Carl H. Lindner College of Business
For more on the impact of Mr. Lindner:
WALL STREET JOURNAL: Financier's Empire Ranged From Bananas to Broadcasting
NEW YORK TIMES: Carl H. Lindner Jr., Founder of American Financial, Dies at 92
THE WASHINGTON POST: Carl Lindner Jr.
BLOOMBERG BUSINESSWEEK: Carl Lindner, Who Owned Chiquita, Baseball’s Reds, Dies at 92
FORBES: Former Forbes 400 Member And Cincinnati Reds Owner Carl Lindner Dies At 92
MARKETWATCH: Carl H. Lindner, Jr. -- Cincinnati Business Titan Passes Away at Age 92
USA TODAY: Financier, baseball owner, banana magnate Carl Lindner dies
SPORTS ILLUSTRATED: Cincinnati financier Carl Lindner Jr. dies
MLB.COM: Former Reds owner Lindner dies at 92
BUSINESS COURIER: Carl Lindner Jr., 1919-2011
