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In Celebration of
Ignacio Ocasio
Dedication of the "Doc Oc"
Memorial Statue
April 25, 2009
Welcome - Glenn Nicholls, Vice President for Student Affairs
"Lullaby" by Billy Joel - Gentlemen of Phi Kappa Tau fraternity
On behalf of the student organizers - Jennifer Kalb. Class of 2007, Adam H. Rupe, Class of 2008
On behalf of the Alumni Board - Nancy Fink. President, Alumni Association of Case Western Reserve University
"Lamento Borincano" by Rafael Hernandez - Gentlemen of Phi Kappa Tau fraternity
On behalf of the family - Maria Emilia Ocasio Martin, sister of Ignacio Ocasio
Closing remarks and unveiling - Barbara R. Snyder, President, Case Westem Reserve University
Ocasio, a classically trained pianist and prodigiously talented chemistry professor, came to
the Case campus in 1980. During his 25 years at Case, thousands of students passed through
his chemistry courses and were inspired by his energy, enthusiasm, and dedication. Doc Oc
won numerous teaching awards, including the Wittke Award for Distinguished
Undergraduate Teaching in 1993 and the J. Bruce Jackson, M.D., Award for Excellence in
Undergraduate Mentoring in 2006 (posthumously). He was dedicated to helping students
develop - not only academcally - but also as members of society.
He also supported students outside the classroom as well as inside, whether it was through his
celebrity judging of the Mr. CWRU contest, as Hudson Relays coach to the first-year class, or
as fraternity advisor. Most of all, we remember him as a caring friend whose uplitting
personality would instantly bring smiles to our faces even on the gloomiest of days.
Special Acknowledgements:
A. Joseph Kinkel, Sculptor
MediaVision/ITAC
Mortar Board National Honor Society
Department of Facilities Services. with special thanks to Daryl Costanzo and his staff
And to all of those who helped make today a reality, MUCHAS GRAClAS - Thank you very much!
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