Gary Broadbent leads CWRU Alumni Association board into bicentennial era

January marks more than a turning of the calendar at Case Western Reserve University—it signals the beginning of a historic bicentennial year and the start of Gary Broadbent’s term as president of the Alumni Association board. 

Broadbent (LAW ’08, MGT ’10) brings to this role a deep and enduring connection to CWRU. As he steps into alumni leadership, Broadbent offers not only years of dedicated service, but also a heartfelt enthusiasm for the university’s community and its future.

For Broadbent, the university was more than an academic institution, it was a second home. 
“Campus felt like home from the start,” he recalled, sharing memories of growing up in Northeast Ohio and spending time in University Circle with his grandparents and siblings. Summers were often spent at area museums, and with two siblings receiving care at University Hospitals, Broadbent became deeply familiar with the neighborhood long before he enrolled. 

As a graduate student, he found the environment especially enriching as he forged friendships that transcended schools and disciplines. He also immersed himself in the local culture—from meals with classmates at Mama Santa’s and Falafel Cafe, evenings at The Barking Spider, and afternoons at the Cleveland Botanical Garden and Cleveland Museum of Art.

Broadbent’s enthusiasm for Case Western Reserve didn’t wane after graduation. Although he moved away from Cleveland, he remained determined to stay connected, initially joining the Law Alumni Board in 2010. Over the years, his engagement grew as he served on the recognition committee—helping select alumni awardees for homecoming—and later, the central Alumni Association board, where he has served for three years. 

“Not many people say they loved law school, but I did,” he said. “I built strong friendships, loved my professors, and couldn’t get enough of the place. Weatherhead was a deeply enriching place as well, and a great break from the law books.” 

As he steps into the role of president, Broadbent is focused on strengthening the university’s alumni network. He sees the bicentennial as an opportunity to celebrate the university’s legacy and foster deeper connections among alumni from every school and decade. 

“We’re fortunate to have strong school-level alumni groups, and my goal is to build more connective tissue among those groups through the university-wide Alumni Association,” he explained. “Alumni represent a cross-section of the university’s experience and institutional memory, and our passionate community wants to help mark this milestone.”

Recognizing that Case Western Reserve’s alumni are spread across the country and around the world, Broadbent emphasizes the role of technology and social media in maintaining connections. 

“We need to meet alumni where they are and offer ways to be involved, even from afar,” he said. From his home in Lexington, Kentucky, he encourages recent graduates to stay engaged, reminding them that every grad is automatically part of the Alumni Association and that involvement can take many forms—whether through time, treasure, wisdom or guidance. 

“There’s always a place for you at Case Western Reserve,” Broadbent said. “It will always be your home away from home.” 

As the university enters its 200th year, Broadbent intends to guide the Alumni Association into a new era—one defined by connection, celebration and a shared pride in Case Western Reserve’s enduring legacy.