Alumni News: November 2016

We are Thankful for…You

‌‌‌One of the best things about CWRU is our amazing alumni. And it is not just your accomplishments, but your involvement in the university. Your continued support is the greatest compliment you can give us. Whether you attend events, volunteer for programs or donate gifts to the university, we are thankful for all that our alumni contribute to ensure the continued success of Case Western Reserve.


We Are Thankful for … the Distinguished Achievements of Our Alumni 

The Alumni Association's 2016 Alumni Awards were presented to six accomplished individuals during this year's Homecoming Luncheon. The event included a university update by President Barbara R. Snyder and inspiring acceptance speeches by civil rights lawyer Fred Gray, JD (LAW '54, HON '92), self-made businessman and philanthropist Morton Mandel (HON ’07, CWR ’13), Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation and Professor of Artificial Intelligence Tshilidzi Marwala, PhD (CWR '95) of the University of Johannesburg, physician-scientist Aleksandra V. Rachitskaya, MD (MED ’08), lifelong leader and community volunteer Donald Foster (ADL '50) and dedicated alumna Nancy Fink (WRC '73).

While on campus to receive their awards from The Alumni Association, this year’s recipients sat down to discuss their achievements. These conversations are featured in a three-part CWRU Spotlight Podcast. 

Listen to the Podcasts‌‌

image of Alumni Association Awards Winners

We Are Thankful for ... a Fun and Successful Homecoming

image of Marching Band

‌‌‌This year’s Homecoming was an amazing success! Enjoy the highlight video

There were 3,852 registrants (up 69% from last year) participating in more than 100 events. Of the registrants, 1,369 were alumni, up 167% from last year. Additionally, 1,132 family members (up 2,077% from last year) and 343 students (up 191% from last year) joined the fun. We were honored that generous attendees pledged $28,189. These donations were designated for The Alumni Association, numerous scholarships and individual school funds, among others.

Find and share pictures from Homecoming 2016 on Facebook.

SAVE THE DATE - HOMECOMING 2017 IS OCTOBER 5-8


We Are Thankful for…All That YOU Do for CWRU

images of volunteers and donors

This year at Homecoming, we honored volunteers and donors with our special Shine On recognition program. There were many people to show our appreciation to as our donors give from across the globe and our volunteers hail from 1,297 cities in 28 countries around the world.

image of volunteers

Depending on your interests, location and availability, The Alumni Association of Case Western Reserve University offers a variety of ways for alumni to impact the university in a meaningful way.

From anywhere in the world, alumni are welcome to impact our future by joining our board of directors, assisting with their local chapter, recruiting the next generation of students as an Alumni Admission Ambassador, providing students and fellow alumni with career advice through the Alumni Career Network, and inviting students to spend their spring break shadowing them at work as part of our Career Connections program.

For those alumni in the Cleveland area, we are always looking for volunteers to support Summer on the Cuyahoga (register here), a summer internship program with an immersive, Cleveland-centric experience; participate in the International Friendship Program that matches newly enrolled international students with local alumni for one year; assist in the daily operating activities of the Larry Sears and Sally Zlotnick Sears think[box]; and act as an usher or tour guide at the new Maltz Performing Arts Center.

Additionally, each school and college offers their own engaging volunteer opportunities.

image of volunteers

We are Thankful for … New Messages of Appreciation

To show appreciation for the contributions of our alumni and friends, the university is celebrating Thanks Beyond the Possible, culminating on November 15. Throughout the celebration, the Case Western Reserve community has shared expressions of gratitude for those who have generously contributed to the university.

As part of Case Western Reserve Thanks Beyond the Possible celebration, the campus community participated in a photo contest featuring spirited messages of thanks for the many things made possible by alumni and donors. We are pleased to share the three winning photos that creatively capture the gratitude of our students...

images holding messages of appreciation

We Are Thankful for … Charitable Examples Set by CWRU Students

images of charitable students

‌For many of our students, thinking beyond the possible includes making change and charity a reality in our community and around the country. In October, Case Western Reserve Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving Teams were named a College Swimming Coaches Association of America Community Service Team. CWRU earned the recognition for their work during their winter training trip in South Florida, where they worked with Feeding South Florida, a food bank that serves Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties. Then on November 5, CWRU students participated in the 10th anniversary of the fall Saturday of Service. Organized by Greek Life and the Center for Civic Engagement & Learning, they day features on- and off-campus projects throughout the day.

CWRU students also support numerous causes year-round, including:

Staffed by undergraduate students, Advocates for Cleveland Health (A4CH) is an organization at Case Western Reserve University dedicated to creating a healthier community by providing every individual with access to health care and promoting healthy living and health education throughout the Cleveland area. As part of their mission, volunteers staff free clinics, conduct health screenings and host events that feature exercise and healthy foods.

‌CWRU Emergency Medical Services (CWRU EMS) is a student-run organization that provides free emergency medical assistance to the students, faculty, staff and guests of Case Western Reserve University.

Habitat for Humanity at Case works to further Habitat for Humanity International's mission and ideals. While student volunteers build awareness and support throughout CWRU’s community, the funds they raise finance the group’s annual winter break trip - where volunteers donate their time, energy and funds at a Habitat for Humanity affiliate in the United States.

Labre Homeless Outreach helps homeless people throughout Cleveland by offering food and supplies, as well as friendship and solidarity.

The Student-Run Free Clinic serves 400 patients a year, most of whom are uninsured or underinsured. The clinic is currently raising money for the purchase of Tdap vaccines, allowing them to complete workplace physicals for patients attempting to enter the workforce.

Women in Science and Engineering Roundtable (WISER) promotes the inclusion and success of all women pursuing STEMM-related careers (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine) at Case Western Reserve university through leadership, mentorship and outreach.

These programs and others like them embody the best qualities of our school and its students.

image of Charitable Students

We are Thankful for . . . the Business Leaders Who Build Northeast Ohio’s Economy

On December 1, more than 700 members of Northeast Ohio's business leadership community will attend the 2016 Weatherhead 100 awards ceremony, an annual celebration of the fastest growing businesses in Northeast Ohio. Join us

Weatherhead Logo

We Are Thankful for ... Opportunities to Get Together

11.12: Cleveland: CWRU vs. Carnegie Mellon - The final CWRU football game of 2016 celebrates the Case-Reserve rivalry

11.27: Cleveland: Cleveland POPS Orchestra Concert: Let the Merry Bells Keep Ringing

12.1: Cleveland: Young Alumni Jingle Mingle 2016

12.4: Austin, TX: Austin Annual Happy Hour at North by Northwest Restaurant & Brewery

12.5: Cleveland: Mid-Year Graduates Reception 2016

12.22: Cleveland: CWRU Alumnus Jim Brickman's Comfort & Joy performance at Severance Hall

View the University and Alumni Relations Events Calendar for more upcoming events on campus and around the country.