When Oliver Gross was applying to the Louis Stokes Fellowship in Community Development at the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences more than 20 years ago, one of his recommendation letters got straight to the point:
“If he is prepared to make the personal sacrifice required,” wrote T. Willard Fair, president and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Miami, “he will do astoundingly well.”
That single sentence stuck with Gross (SAS ’06), whether getting him through late-night study sessions while working full time or, eventually, fueling his career in bringing affordable housing to those who need it most.
At Case Western Reserve, Gross’ education “shaped how I approach work, life and relationships—marrying theory with practice in a way few institutions do.”
Gross has spent the past 20 years as president and chief executive officer of New Urban Development, the real estate development affiliate of the Urban League of Greater Miami, which focuses on revitalizing neighborhoods through high-quality, affordable housing solutions.
Now, he wants to ensure other students can have the same transformative experience he once did as a Louis Stokes Fellow, named in honor of the late congressman and civil rights pioneer. Through the Integrity Foundation, a philanthropic organization he co-chairs, Gross donated $250,000 to help fund the fellowships, which are awarded to highly motivated students who exemplify leadership potential in serving underserved communities.
“When I came to Case [Western Reserve], I saw myself as a businessman doing capitalistic work in real estate,” Gross said. “By the time I left, I saw myself as a social worker doing business.”
