In the fall of 2020, Case Western Reserve gathered virtually to celebrate the achievements of those within our ranks, exchange ideas and reconnect. Although 2020 presented challenges to our time-honored traditions, we were able to provide virtual experiences that allowed us to share our collective pride for our alma mater and the milestones we've achieved together.
Please enjoy Homecoming 2020 highlights from The Alumni Association of Case Western Reserve University.
Blue Block Party
The Blue Block Party kicked off Homecoming 2020 weekend with live music from the Case Western Reserve University Department of Music and a special introduction to Interim President Scott Cowen.
Spartans Step Up: Recruiting and Admitting Students During a Pandemic
The eighth installment of Spartans Step Up focused how COVID-19 has affected the higher education admission process and what lessons have been learned from these extraordinary circumstances. Rick Bischoff, Vice President for Enrollment Management at Case Western Reserve University, moderated an expert panel featuring Case Western Reserve's Dean of Undergraduate Admission Bob McCullough (CWR '96, MGT '03) and Director of Undergraduate Admission Chrystal Russell. View past episodes here.
Leadership With Young Alumni Entrepreneurs
The Alumni Association of CWRU and the Veale Institute for Entrepreneurship hosted a panel discussion with young alumni entrepreneurs who shared their leadership advice, professional development, and the successes and challenges on their journeys to company founders
Moderated by Michael Goldberg, Executive Director of the Veale Institute for Entrepreneurship, and Jay Sangani (CWR '21), BA Candidate, Natural Sciences & Economics and MSM Candidate, Healthcare Management, this event featured:
- John Knific (CWR ‘09), Co-Founder & COO of Wisr; Founder Emeritus of DecisionDesk
- Ashwini Batchu (CWR ‘11), Founder and CEO of MCSquared Health
- Felipe Gomez del Campo (CWR ‘16), Founder and CEO of FGC Plasma Solutions
- Ali Briggs (CWR '11), CEO and Co-Founder of LifeWeb360, Founder Emeritus of The Front Door
- Sandra O. Lin (CWR '97), Founder and CEO of KiwiCo
Latinx Alumni Association presents: A Conversation with Dr. Marla Perez-Davis (GRS ‘91)
The Latinx Alumni Association hosted A Conversation with Marla Perez-Davis, PhD (GRS ‘91, chemical engineering), Director of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's John H. Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio.
Pérez-Davis’ list of accomplishments is rather extensive and impressive. The Puerto Rican doctor of chemical engineering has worked at NASA Glenn for over 35 years and has won numerous awards throughout her career. Pérez-Davis is the recipient of numerous NASA awards including the Women of Color Technology Award for Career Achievement, NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal and the prestigious Presidential Rank Award for Meritorious Executives.
Radio Alumni House Party
Live from the Linsalata Alumni Center, the Radio Alumni House Party brought you hits from the '50s to the '10s all weekend long.
Undressed: The Sociohistory of Tattooing in the West
Tattoos are omnipresent in the visual vocabulary of Americans. Coupled with the increased use of social media, tattoos are increasingly common on younger bodies. This talk discussed the origin of contemporary Western tattoos, how tattoos have been socially understood in history, why the perceptions have changed and what tattoos have to do with the social sciences.
Sam Belkin is a Northeast Ohio native who has taught in the departments of Sociology, Anthropology and SAGES at Case Western Reserve University. Utilizing his anthropological and sociological training, his research focuses on the interdisciplinary connections between symbolic anthropology and figurational sociology illustrated through body modifications. Belkin’s most recent research project investigates tattoos, identity and stigma in the American white collar workplace.
The African American Alumni Association presents Linking Legacies
The Linking Legacies project is a virtual concert experience featuring multiple generations of African-American performers and composers with deep ties to Ohio and the Cleveland area. Performers Chris Jenkins, violist, CWRU PhD candidate in musicology and associate dean at Oberlin Conservatory, Diana White-Gould, pianist and faculty member Dike School of the Arts, and Matthew Jones, tenor and faculty member at The Music Settlement, performed select musical pieces that showcase performers often overlooked.
Homecoming Awards Ceremony
This annual event welcomed all alumni, parents, students and guests to recognize the recipients of the 2020 Alumni Awards.
- Newton D. Baker Distinguished Service Award - Norma Geller, LSW (SAS ‘91)
- Daniel T. Clancy Alumni Service Award - Ka-Pi Hoh, PhD (CIT ‘84; GRS ‘87, 89, macromolecular science)
- Young Alumni Award - K. Grace Bell (CWR ‘10)
- Professional Achievement Award - Richard H. Thaler, PhD (ADL ‘67, HON ‘03)
- Distinguished Alumni Award - Donald E. Knuth, PhD (CIT ‘60; GRS ‘60, mathematics; HON ‘80)
Stephanie Tubbs Jones Candlelight Vigil
The African American Alumni Association hosted a virtual memorial to watch the tribute celebration of the lives of all the graduates that have gone before us.
"Although we are apart please have a candle ready so that we can share in the memory of those that passed away" - The African American Alumni Association
African American Alumni Association Membership Meeting & Keynote Address and Awards Celebration
The weekend celebration featured a special keynote address by Ohio Supreme Court Justice Melody Stewart, PhD (GRS ‘08, social welfare), motivating us to action during this very historic time in history.
A Brew with CWRU
Presented by Matt Vann, the owner of the Jolly Scholar on CWRU's campus, The Alumni Association hosted a tour and beer tasting event. There was a special guest appearance by Cleveland celebrity Les "The Beer Guy" Flake.
CWRU Gets Cooking with Chef Bac Nguyen (CAS '04)
CWRU alum Bac Nguyen (CAS '04) hosted a live, at-home cooking demo and taught us how to make Japanese mushroom soup and egg fried rice. Download the recipes to follow along.