When Dorothea "Thea" Langsam steps into the University of Cincinnati's Langsam Library, her family's name greets her from the brick facade - a reminder of her grandfather, Walter C. Langsam, the university's 21st president and the library's namesake. Now, Thea has added her own chapter to that legacy - one grounded in comfort, care and quiet dignity.
In October, the library unveiled a permanent private room for nursing mothers - a serene space made possible through Thea Langsam's three-year philanthropic effort. The room, discreet yet inviting, features warm and cold running water, a compact refrigerator, a counter and table and a deep, cushioned chair that offers both comfort and calm.
Thea Langsam, granddaughter of Walter C. Langsam and a member of the UC Dean's Advisory Committee, stands beside the plaque marking the library's nursing mothers' room, a space she championed to support privacy, comfort and inclusion for UC families. photo/Melanie Schefft
Langsam, who serves as deputy general counsel for Fifth Third Bank's commercial and capital markets division, said the project felt both personal and practical.
"As a mother of two - now 14 and 12 - I know how hard it can be to balance school or work with caring for a baby," she said. "Every mother deserves a private, dignified space to nurse or pump. UC is a place that supports that.
"When I heard the library was exploring naming opportunities, the idea of a nursing room struck me right away. It's a simple, tangible way to help women feel supported - to know they don't have to choose between motherhood and their studies or work," she said.
Thea's involvement with UC Libraries runs deep. A longtime member of the Dean's Advisory Committee, she has been an advocate for modern, inclusive library spaces. The nursing room, she says, blends both purpose and symbolism: a continuation of her family's connection to UC, and a step toward ensuring the university's libraries remain spaces of learning, comfort and belonging.
This new room means students don't have to run home, go sit in their cars, or use a bathroom stall to nurse or pump. It's a small room that makes a big difference.
For Langsam, the gift bridges generations. "It's my way of honoring my grandfather's legacy while supporting today's UC families," she said.
As students quietly study just beyond its doors, the Langsam Library nursing room stands as a symbol of empathy, inclusion and the power of small spaces to create lasting change.
Featured image at top: University of Cincinnati's Walter C. Langsam Library. photo/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand
