May 2023 Newsletter

PhD Graduates Leave Tomlinson Hall on Commencement Day 2019

Congratulations to the Class of 2023!

Congratulations to all our graduates! Over four hundred graduates were recognized on Friday, May 19 to join nearly one thousand Master's and doctoral students who earned their degrees in August 2022, January 2023, and May 2023! May your next journeys continue to be amazing!

Get Your Diploma

For those who did not attend Commencement, diplomas are available in the Graduate Studies office (Tomlinson 203) during normal business hours. You may pick up your diploma or email gradstudies@case.edu to designate someone to retrieve it on your behalf; photo ID is required for anyone picking up diplomas. All academic and financial obligations must be resolved for diplomas to be released.

Any diplomas remaining as of Friday, June 2 at 3:00pm EDT will be mailed to your Diploma Mailing Address on file with the University. Please review your address in SIS, update if needed, or contact diploma@case.edu. This mailing is at no cost to you.

So please make arrangements to get your diploma as soon as possible - you earned it, you deserve it!

Three Masters Students Holding Diplomas at Commencement 2019

Coverage of Commencement

Later this summer video of both our diploma ceremony and Convocation (held on Wednesday, May 17) will be posted to the University's YouTube channel. If you got your picture taken by the professional photographers during Commencement, GradImages will be reaching out to you in the coming weeks.


Academics

Register for Summer and Fall Classes!

If you haven't yet, register now for Summer and Fall through SIS! Be sure to talk with your advisor and check SIS for any holds that may prevent registration.

Summer 2023 Graduation

Are you almost ready to graduate? The deadline to apply to graduate this summer is Friday, June 9. You can find graduation information with detailed requirements hereAll final materials are due July 7 and degrees will be awarded on August 18. Students who graduate in August will be invited to return for Commencement in May 2024.

Please note: If you applied to graduate in spring 2023 but did not complete all requirements you must apply again this semester.

Student reading eBook lying on grass in Quad, summer time

Summer Waiver of Registration

Missed last semester's deadline to apply to graduate? If you've completed all graduation requirements, but did not meet the spring graduation deadline, you may be eligible to waive class registration for summer. Here's how: 

  • Submit all final materials for your degree as listed here, including the Waiver of Registration form (included in the downloadable file).
  • International students must have the waiver of registration electronically signed by International Student Services (ISS).

The waiver of registration deadline is Friday, June 9. Once completed and signed please email the form along with all your other final graduation materials to your program coordinator in SGS directly or to gradstudies@case.edu.

SELP Friday Conversation Hour

Spoken English Language Programs (SELP) in the School of Graduate Studies hosts a free Summer Fridays Conversation Social Hour for non-native English speaking international graduate students, postdocs, faculty, and staff from 12:30 to 2:00pm each Friday from June 9 through August 4 (except June 30 and July 7) in Tomlinson 135. Participants can practice English in a relaxing, low pressure setting and meet others in the CWRU community. Registration is not required but for more information, email SELP Director Eric Moore at eric.moore2@case.edu or selp@case.edu.

Considering a Career in Teaching?

Grad students and postdocs can sign up for the non-credit UNIV 401 Advanced Professional Development for University Teaching Seminar this summer to provide an introduction to pedagogical skills for future faculty. The seminar meets on Tuesdays in June and July; enrollment is limited to 15 students. Register for UNIV 401 in SIS and email univ401@case.edu with any questions.

Student taking notes by hand in class

Broaden Your Horizons with a Fellowship Course

Right now is a great time to consider trying something new by taking an additional course for FREE. Fellowship Courses are a great way to expand your academic portfolio and/or something to study outside your degree program that you really enjoy.

If you are a Graduate Studies degree-seeking student in good standing, you can apply to take a Fellowship Course for no tuition cost. Check out our Fellowship Tuition Policy and the form to submit here. (Please note: Courses in the College of Arts & Sciences are not eligible to be taken as Fellowship Courses in the summer.)

Changes to Tech Access After Graduating

Make sure to review recent changes to your access of University technologies after graduation so you can make plans now to ensure your work will be still available. For 180 days after their graduation date, students will retain access to Google Workspace (Gmail, drives, etc), Microsoft 365, Qualtrics, and GitHub. Access to Adobe products will expire on July 1. Access to Zoom (including recordings and whiteboards) has ended immediately upon graduation.


Graduate Awards Ceremony

Awards from the 2017 Graduate Student Award Ceremony

The 19th annual Graduate Awards Ceremony was held at the Tinkham Veale University Center on Wednesday, May 3 to recognize our amazing students and their continued outstanding work on campus, around Cleveland, and beyond. Nearly 150 students were honored with awards from the School of Medicine, the College of Arts and Sciences, the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences, the Weatherhead School of Management, the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, the Center for International Affairs, the Case School of Engineering, and the School of Graduate Studies, presented by faculty, staff, and students from across campus.

The ceremony also honored this year's four winners of the prestigious John S. Diekhoff Awards for Faculty Teaching and Mentoring with remarks from the student-led selection committee:

Watch the 2023 Award Ceremony on YouTube and view photos from the event and individual winner slides on our Flickr or Facebook. And see the list of the 2023 Graduate Award Winners‌‌!


Campus Community

Science Advocacy Workshop in DC

The Office of Professional Development in the School of Graduate Studies sponsored two grad students to represent CWRU at the annual American Association for the Advancement of Science’s Catalyzing Advocacy in Science and Engineering Workshop in Washington, DC this past semester. For the first in-person AAAS CASE workshop since 2019, BME PhD student Edward Carson and CHEM-E PhD student Bethany Kersten (along with undergrad Haasita Akkala) learned from science policy and advocacy experts about the role of science in policymaking and met with the offices of Ohio's representatives in Congress.

Main Quad Renovations

Heads up! There are more renovations and improvements on the Main Case Quad this summer which may impact how you access certain buildings. Currently our office in Tomlinson Hall has unimpeded access but some projects may be close to our building. Keep watch for updates.

University Holidays: Memorial Day & Juneteenth

Our office and CWRU will be closed in observance of Memorial Day on Monday, May 29 and Juneteenth on Monday, June 19. Campus closure will impact access to certain buildings, the libraries, dining, and possibly shuttle schedules.

Banner of American Flag by Adelbert Hall

Summer Take Two Fridays

As in past years as part of CWRU Take Two, every Friday in June and July the University will close at 3:00pm EDT including our office in Tomlinson Hall and any staff working remotely. Please plan accordingly.

Freedman Student Fellows Program

Grad students can apply for the Freedman Student Fellows program to fund well-defined research projects that involve the application of digital tools and methods to scholarly or pedagogical problems.

Where to Live as a Grad Student

Are you moving this summer or looking for a new place before classes resume in the fall? Check out the off-campus housing website, a helpful housing guide from the Office of Graduate Student Life, and the Living in Cleveland page on the Postdoctoral Affairs website for info on where to live around University Circle and the surrounding communities.

Students exercising on treadmills

One to One Summer Fitness Plans

For any interested students, One to One Fitness Center offers summer rates for their facilities and programs. Any grad student who was enrolled in their fitness plan this spring semester will receive summer membership through August at no additional charge. Other athletic and recreational facilities on campus will also be open to current students this summer, free with your CWRU ID.

Bike Safety Tips

Bicycles are a great way to get around University Circle in the summer months so please review these safety tips to ensure a successful and pleasant ride.

Fun Things to Do Around Cleveland

Summer in Northeast Ohio means opportunities for fun and adventure! Check out a list of events and activities from This is Cleveland, this Bucket List from International Student Services, and the many museums and attractions you can visit free with your student ID! Access Services also offers discounted tickets for select cinemas, live theater, and other events. Discover Cleveland!

Steggie the Stegosaurus at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History

Vote University Circle Best Arts District

With several museums, art installations, performing arts centers, and more, all within a square mile around campus, University Circle is one of the most concentrated arts districts in the country. But is it the best? If you think so, vote now in a readers' choice poll!

CWRU EMS in Greater University Circle

Did you know that CWRU EMS covers not just the campus but some of the surrounding neighborhoods as well? If you're off campus but in the coverage area and have an emergency you may be able to get free treatment and transportation. See more info and the service area map.


Upcoming Events

Kick-off Pride Month with a buffet brunch at the Music Box Supper Club in the Flats on Sunday, June 4 and a drag performance by musicology Graduate Studies alum Dr. Lady J with Veranda L'Ni!

Reserve a $25 student discount ticket to benefit the CWRU PRIDE LGBT Ohio Leadership Award for a graduate or undergraduate student working to make impactful actions and advance the mission of the LGBT community at CWRU, the Cleveland community, or nationally through scholarship, research, or leadership activities.

See more on CampusGroups.

For the first time since 2019, the Cleveland Museum of Art's Parade the Circle returns on Saturday, June 10! This free arts parade and festival brings hundreds of colorful home-made costumes and displays to University Circle as well as live entertainment, food, and more.

See more about the return of the parade.

Wade Oval Wednesdays are back! Most Wednesday evenings from June 14 through August 16, University Circle will host free concerts in Wade Oval. Enjoy family-friendly activities, music, vendors, food trucks, and more!

Want More?

Don't want to wait until our next newsletter in June? Follow @cwrusgs on both Facebook and Twitter for new content almost every day!

Dear in front of Adelbert Hall, Summer 2022