Two substantial checks in the past two weeks not only can help the University of Cincinnati improve its ability to lure top recruits and solidify its place in big-time athletics, they can provide a welcome boost for the school in light of recent funding cuts.

Last week, Fifth Third Bank president and chief executive George A. Schaefer, Jr. presented the university with $10 million at the school's basketball arena, which will now be named the Fifth Third Arena at Myrl H. Shoemaker Center. Schaefer is chairman of the univeristy's board of trustees.

This occurred one week after Richard E. Lindner, former owner of the Thriftway supermarket chain, donated $10.2 million to the new athletic center, which will bear his name.

The Richard E. Lindner Varsity Village is an $80.3 million plan designed to improve UC's athletic facilities. The project will provide state-of-the-art training and facilities for the school's 18 varsity sports.

The building will feature a centralized sports medicine center, administrative and coaching offices, a 330-seat auditorium and faculty club and a museum detailing the history of the university's sports programs. Also included are a new student recreation center with a 50-meter swimming pool, a baseball stadium with seating for 3,000 and a new student health service center.

The money couldn't have come at a better time. Gov. Bob Taft has cut $140 million in aid to Ohio's schools and universities in order to balance the state budget earlier this month, so schools may have to rely more on donations from corporations and businesses for help.

"There's no other way to get it done because of what's going on with the state," UC president Joseph Steger told the Enquirer.

Private contributions like these are a huge step forward and help foster great public support for the university.