UC Clermont dad’s handwritten letters spark global movement
Former English professor's letter-writing legacy
A heartwarming story featuring a father-daughter duo with connections to UC Clermont has captured national attention on the “Today Show.”
Rosie Paulik posted a TikTok video about her father James “Buz” Ecker, former UC Clermont adjunct English professor, and his daily tradition of writing her a letter. The letter writing is an act of love he has maintained for years. The video resonated with viewers, prompting thousands of strangers to ask if he would write to them too.
Moved by the response, Paulik and her father launched the Dad Letter Project, offering handwritten notes of encouragement and fatherly wisdom to those who feel the absence of a father figure in their lives. The initiative has grown into a global movement, demonstrating the profound impact of simple, personal gestures.
The Pauliks joined “Today” to share their story and reflect on the emotional connections they have made through the project. They spoke about how a handwritten letter can offer comfort, guidance, and a sense of belonging no matter the distance.
About UC Clermont
UC Clermont College is in the center of Clermont County on 95 beautifully wooded acres in Batavia Township. The college is an accredited, open-access institution offering more than 60 programs and degrees. UC Clermont is part of the nationally recognized University of Cincinnati. For more information, call 513-556-5400 or visit www.ucclermont.edu.
Featured image at top of Rosie Paulik (left) and her father, former UC Clermont professor Buz Ecker. Photo/provided
Related Stories
Sugar overload killing hearts
November 10, 2025
Two in five people will be told they have diabetes during their lifetime. And people who have diabetes are twice as likely to develop heart disease. One of the deadliest dangers? Diabetic cardiomyopathy. But groundbreaking University of Cincinnati research hopes to stop and even reverse the damage before it’s too late.
Is going nuclear the solution to Ohio’s energy costs?
November 10, 2025
The Ohio Capital Journal recently reported that as energy prices continue to climb, economists are weighing the benefits of going nuclear to curb costs. The publication dove into a Scioto Analysis survey of 18 economists to weigh the pros and cons of nuclear energy. One economist featured was Iryna Topolyan, PhD, professor of economics at the Carl H. Lindner College of Business.
App turns smartwatch into detector of structural heart disease
November 10, 2025
An app that uses an AI model to read a single-lead ECG from a smartwatch can detect structural heart disease, researchers reported at the 2025 Scientific Sessions of the American Heart Association. Although the technology requires further validation, researchers said it could help improve the identification of patients with heart failure, valvular conditions and left ventricular hypertrophy before they become symptomatic, which could improve the prognosis for people with these conditions.