Alumni Volunteer Spotlight: Alumni Chapter Leaders
Lloyd Weema (CWR ’02) and Sarah Rovito (CWR ’07) share their experiences as Case Western Reserve University Alumni Chapter Leaders. CWRU alumni chapters host a variety of events such as networking happy hours, lectures by CWRU faculty, new student outreach and activities for the whole family.
Lloyd Weema (CWR ’02) studied American Studies while at CWRU. He currently resides in Portland, Oregon, where he works as a physical education teacher at Reed College and as a wildland firefighter for the U.S. Department of the Interior. He enjoys playing sports and traveling around the country, trying something new each day makes his life fun. Lloyd is the CWRU Portland chapter president, an Alumni Admissions Ambassador and he works in disaster relief with Team Rubicon and the Information Technology Disaster Resource Center (ITDRC). He also volunteers with Habitat for Humanity.
Sarah Rovito (CWR'07) majored in Systems and Control Engineering at CWRU and has master’s degrees in Systems Engineering from The George Washington University and Technology and Policy from MIT. Sarah lives in Silver Spring, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C., and will be joining Booz Allen Hamilton's Commercial Solutions team later this summer. She is a retired swimmer turned marathoner and enjoys following politics in her spare time. Sarah is a member of the Alumni Association Board of Directors, an Alumni Admission Ambassador and has been involved with the Washington, D.C./Baltimore and Boston Alumni Chapters.
How did you first get involved with volunteering?
Lloyd: I have been volunteering for as long as I can remember, but after moving to Portland and finding out there was not a local chapter for the almost 1,000 local alumni, I helped start the chapter in 2012.
Sarah: I worked as a tour guide at the Office of Undergraduate Admissions during my time at CWRU and was part of one of the first Senior Class Gift Campaigns back in 2006. I started coming to chapter events upon moving to Washington, D.C., to partake of interesting programming (lectures, museum tours and the like) and to expand my network. I started volunteering and sharing my love of CWRU shortly thereafter.
What about chapter leadership are you most active/excited about and what is your favorite moment/experience from volunteering?
Lloyd: The opportunity to reunite with fellow alumni is the most exciting part. My favorite moment was at an event when two alumni – who had not seen each other in about 10 years, since their time at CWRU – reconnected. Neither one knew the other lived in the area. The excitement and joy that took place in that moment was an experience like no other.
Sarah: Being involved with alumni chapter leadership allows me to foster relationships among CWRU alumni and facilitate relevant and fun programming. The annual Washington, D.C. Library of Congress Reception and Young Alumni After Party are always highlights for me. Also, I know that Washington, D.C. alumni have particularly enjoyed volunteering to hold giant balloons at the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade. I am optimistic that we will be able to hold more community-oriented volunteer events, such as an afternoon at a food pantry or soup kitchen in the coming years.
How many hours this volunteer activity take up per week or month?
Lloyd: A couple hours a week, and of course more when an event is taking place.
Sarah: Chapter leadership is a relatively low time commitment, usually consisting of an hour-long conference call per month and additional time to coordinate upcoming events. I would say five hours per month, tops.
Why do you continue to volunteer?
Lloyd: I want the world to be a better place and the only way to make that happen is to do something about it. As long as I draw breath, I will continue to volunteer.
Sarah: I am proud to be a CWRU alumna and want to provide the same social and volunteer opportunities through the alumni chapter to those just moving to a new geographic location.
What would you say to others who are interested in getting involved with this volunteer opportunity?
Lloyd: Give it a try. Everyone has something to offer and you might just be surprised with the memories and experiences you have.
Sarah: Go for it! Every alumnus brings a unique perspective and interest to the table, and volunteering with your local alumni chapter can be a fun and low-stakes way to meet new people familiar with the CWRU community and to build leadership skills.
Interested in learning more about alumni chapters? Visit our website.
Rachel Katz (CWR '16) and Andrew Getsy (CWR '16) receive CWRU License Plate Scholarships
The Alumni Association has announced Andrew Getsy (CWR ’16) and Rachel Katz (CWR ’16) as the 2016 scholarship recipients from the Ohio Collegiate Plate Program. Case Western Reserve University License Plate Scholarships are awarded to student(s) who demonstrate a strong commitment to classmates and the university, and who show initiative in their chosen field of expertise. The scholarship’s monetary value is based off of the number of license plates purchased by alumni, faculty, staff and friends of CWRU during each academic year.
Getsy, from Eastlake, Ohio has graduated this May with his bachelor's degree and will finish his master's degree in mechanical engineering this summer. Getsy transferred from John Carroll University before beginning his junior year at CWRU in the Case School of Engineering. Getsy, whose older sister is a PhD candidate in the Department of Physiology, is one of seven siblings who grew up tinkering alongside their father, a mechanical engineer.
Today, Getsy’s most meaningful achievement is helping develop MantisBot in the Biologically Inspired Robotics Laboratory on campus. “MantisBot,” Getsy describes, “is a hexapod robot that mirrors the form and mobility of the praying mantis insect.” He developed the head of the robot to “derive appropriate motions based on where you wanted it to go.” Getsy has accomplished this task by creating a vision system from solar panels and a custom electric circuit. When asked how he thinks his experience at CWRU has helped shape his future aspirations, Getsy says, “it’s knowing that I can accomplish what I set out to do through education and perseverance.”
Before starting her job at General Electric in the operations management and leadership program, Rachel Katz of Beachwood , Ohio, will travel this summer to Israel to visit family for six months. In that role, Katz will spend time working in three different areas: sourcing supply chain, manufacturing and a choice role.
When Katz enrolled at CWRU with an undecided major, she was persuaded by family and her advisor to study engineering. Though she found it to be a challenge, she wouldn’t let the fact that others seemed to grasp concepts faster deter her. “I made the decisive decision to continue what I started, and to see it through to the end.” This newfound confidence encouraged her to accept a mechanical engineering internship with Swagelok the summer after her first year, even though her focus was chemical engineering. She also studied abroad during her third year in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where she took classes in business and Spanish. “My most meaningful achievement,” says Katz, “[is] my ability to conquer a degree that seemed utterly unattainable at the start of my undergraduate career.”
On behalf of The Alumni Association of Case Western Reserve University, thank you to all alumni, staff, faculty and friends of the university who have contributed to the CWRU License Plate Scholarship program and helped to make these scholarships possible.
Learn more about how the CWRU Collegiate Plate Program supports scholarships.
Expansion Update & Alumni Paver Program
Construction at the Linsalata Alumni Center has had a lot of activity over the past month. The concrete floor has been set, perimeter structural steel studs are installed, wood trusses for the roof have been erected, and a temporary wall in the reception area of the Alumni House has been built where the two buildings of the Linsalata Alumni Center will connect.
As part of the expansion, a paver stone courtyard is being installed on the grounds. We are inviting alumni to leave a permanent mark on this exciting new project by purchasing a paver stone. Each paver stone is an eight-inch square that accommodates up to five lines of text with 20 characters per line. This custom inscription is a lasting way to celebrate your Case Western Reserve University connection or honor a relative or friend. The pavers, including the inscription, are currently available for $500 each.
More information about purchasing a paver
Check out the latest issue of think magazine!
Read about Tom Bachtell (WRC '80), caricature artist for The New Yorker magazine, the university's deep dives into space-related research, a program to help victims of human trafficking and much more.
Check out think's latest issue
Lifelong Learning
We want your feedback regarding lifelong learning opportunities for alumni. We are looking to discover how much you know about the current opportunities offered as well as what you would like to see in the future. If you have any questions, please contact Kelly Kribel at 216.368.3760 or Kelly.Kribel@case.edu. Thank you in advance for your participation!
Alumni Educational Travel Program: The world is your classroom
Travel the world with CWRU faculty! Join expert professors on adventures all over the globe…learn first-hand about different cultures, histories, arts, economics, political science, and more. With our faculty, you will gain access to behind the scenes sites, cultural treasures and other intimate educational activities. Don’t miss out, join fellow alumni and friends of CWRU and create memories that will last a lifetime!
Due to popular demand, the Icelandic Interlude & Northern Lights trip is SOLD OUT. Call Michelle Miller at 216.368.8745 to add your name to the waitlist. This trip will be offered again in January 2018!
http://case.edu/lifelonglearning/
International Friendship Program
CWRU's International Friendship Program (IFP) matches newly enrolled international students with local alumni hosts in the Cleveland area for one academic year. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn about a different culture and share your hometown pride to a new CWRU student. For one academic year international students and their hosts get together every 4-6 weeks for a home-cooked meal, attend university/IFP events or visit Cleveland attractions.
Watch International Friendship Program video
Weatherhead 100
The 2016 Weatherhead 100 application is now open! Area businesses can now apply for the chance to join this elite consortium of the fastest growing companies in Northeast Ohio.
More info and application for Weatherhead 100
Upcoming Events
![All [in] Logo](/alumni/sites/default/files/2017-09/unnamed-%287%29-250x167.jpg)
June 15: Case Western Reserve University Day of Giving
All [in], Case Western Reserve University's annual Day of Giving, has developed into a springtime tradition among students, faculty, staff and alumni alike. First held in 2013, the Day of Giving has seen tremendous engagement through social media and contributions to the university.
The 2016 Day of Giving is scheduled for June 15, 2016. You can help Case Western Reserve University break its single-day giving total by making a gift in support of the area that matters the most to you.
- Show your support by making a gift on the Day of Giving, June 15th. If you have already made a gift this fiscal year (July 1 – June 30), please consider a participatory gift at any level to help us exceed the current one day gift record of 869 gifts.
- Share why you give back! Post a message to your social media accounts with #CWRUALLIN and encourage your CWRU network to do the same. Also, the university will be posting exciting, impactful stories on its social media accounts that day so please share those as well.
- Like and follow Case Western Reserve University on our social media channels (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter) and consider posting and/or changing your profile pictures to the graphic provided.
June 17: Tour of Seattle's Steam Driven Electric Generating Plant & Wine Tasting
The evening begins with an hour tour of Seattle City Light's Georgetown Steam Plant*. Built in 1906, the plant was state-of-the-art for electrical generation and is now a reminder of the city’s historical achievements. Afterwards, alumni and guests journey to nearby Charles Smith Wine, which was started in 2006 to embrace the trend of consuming wine without delay. Alumni and guests will enjoy a tasting and light appetizers.
Register for tour and wine tasting by June 14
June 25: Cleveland Indians vs. Detroit Tigers @Detroit
Join us as the Case Western Reserve University Northwest Ohio alumni chapter watches the Detroit Tigers take on the Cleveland Indians. Gather your family and friends as we enjoy an afternoon at the ballpark. Before the game, we’ll meet at Cheli’s Chili Bar and distribute tickets. Afterwards, our guests will travel to the stadium to watch the sure-to-be riveting game.
Register for Indians game by June 17
June 27: 13th Annual Spartan Open
The Case Western Reserve University Athletic Department will host the 13th annual Spartan Open Monday, June 27, at Quail Hollow Country Club in Concord, Ohio.
July 21: Cocktails & Conversation: Aging with a Plan
Join fellow CWRU alumni with Co-Deans Jessica Berg and Michael Scharf for "Cocktails & Conversation" at an all alumni reception at the Catawba Island Club. Special thanks to Dan Clancy (LAW '62) for hosting this alumni event.
Professor Sharona Hoffman will speak and share comments about her recent book, Aging with a Plan: How a Little Thought Today Can Vastly Improve Your Tomorrow.
Register for Cocktails & Conversation
View the University and Alumni Relations Events Calendar for more upcoming events on campus and around the country.