5 questions with Case School of Engineering’s Elizabeth Berry, Class of 2026

This weekend, graduating students at Case Western Reserve University will celebrate the accomplishments and experiences that defined their time on campus. For Elizabeth Berry, those experiences were rooted in finding balance—between academics and athletics, leadership and service, and classroom learning and hands-on engineering work.

A materials science and engineering student from Plymouth, MN, Berry was drawn to CWRU for its strong engineering programs and close-knit community, as well as the opportunity to continue playing competitive softball at a high level. During her four years on campus, she embraced opportunities both inside and outside the classroom, building leadership experience through student organizations, mentoring fellow engineering students and developing technical skills through research and laboratory work.

Below, Berry reflects on the experiences that defined her time at CWRU, the lessons she’ll carry into her career and the advice she has for future engineering students.

Answers have been lightly edited.

What initially drew you to CWRU?

I was initially drawn to Case Western Reserve University because it offered

 the balance I was looking for: rigorous academics, a competitive athletics program and opportunities to be deeply involved with other on campus organizations.

I first learned about CWRU in seventh grade while attending Headfirst Honor Roll softball camps in New York and Florida. These camps bring together high-academic universities—including CWRU and other Ivy League institutions—to recruit student-athletes. At the time, I already knew I wanted to pursue engineering while continuing to play competitive softball at a high academic institution. Funny enough, when I mentioned Case Western Reserve to my Papa, who is an electrical engineer, he immediately knew the school and spoke highly of it, which made it stand out even more to me.

Over the years, I stayed in contact with Coach Josie Henry, and continued to learn more about the university and the softball program. My interest grew because of CWRU’s strong engineering reputation, things to do in the city of Cleveland, and other practical factors such as the proximity to the airport—I am from Minneapolis and was searching for schools where it would be easy to get home.

In August of 2022, before the start of my senior year of high school, I attended a CWRU softball camp and had my official visit with the team. The moment I stepped foot on campus and spent time with the team, I knew it was going to be my home for the next four years. The players welcomed me as if I belonged—like I was already their teammate and I hadn’t even committed yet. Ultimately, it was the people and the sense of community at Case Western Reserve that made my college decision clear. 

What course or campus experience shaped your education most?

One of the most impactful parts of my time at Case Western Reserve University has been the materials science laboratory courses required for my major. Throughout these labs, I have worked with a wide variety of materials and microscopy analysis techniques while applying concepts learned in the classroom to real engineering challenges. Since the lab groups changed with each course, I had the opportunity to collaborate with many different peers, which strengthened my teamwork, communication and adaptability in group settings.

These experiences also helped me develop strong problem-solving and time management skills, especially while balancing lab schedules and coordinating projects with teammates. Additionally, the labs taught me how to conduct research effectively by designing experiments, collecting and analyzing data, interpreting results, and presenting findings in a clear and professional manner. Through repeated hands-on experience, I became more confident using technical equipment, troubleshooting unexpected challenges, and thinking critically about why certain materials behave the way they do.

What’s next for you after graduation?

After graduation, I will be finishing up softball season and traveling with friends and family before I start my full-time job in July. I will be joining Precision Castparts Corporation (PCC) in their Operations Management Development Program. My first rotation is with Wyman-Gordon at their location in Worcester, MA. 

Looking back at your time at CWRU, what is something that stands out to you?

During my time at Case, I was able to embrace the balance of academics, athletics and campus involvement that initially drew me in. I joined Alpha Chi Omega and a professional engineering fraternity, Theta Tau, serving on the executive boards for both organizations. In my senior year, I served as a peer advisor for the Case School of Engineering, helping support younger students as they navigated their own journeys. Looking back and reflecting on my time here, I know I made the right decision. CWRU has been exactly what I was looking for: a place where I could grow as an engineer, an athlete and, most importantly, as a person. My memories and experiences will stick with me long after graduation.

What advice would you give to new students in your program?

My biggest piece of advice for new students coming into the Materials Science program at Case Western Reserve is to get hands-on, working experience, like research, internships and co-ops. Reach out to professors within the department about any ongoing or new research projects, and build those relationships with the professors. They are a great resource, especially when it comes to co-ops and internships, eventually leading to full-time positions. These experiences help connect the engineering principles and concepts you learn in class to real-world applications, and give you a much deeper understanding of the field. Speaking from experience through internships with Intel (summer between sophomore and junior year) and AMETEK (summer between junior and senior year), and now moving into a career at PCC, gaining hands-on experience in any capacity has been incredibly valuable and has played a huge role in my growth as an engineer.