From the President: Connecting past and present
At last, our bicentennial year is here. The excitement and energy on our campus and among our alumni and friends around the world is shining through—both in celebration of our history, and with anticipation for what’s ahead. It is a tremendous honor for me to lead Case Western Reserve University through this important and pivotal milestone.
When I consider the past two centuries of our history, one thing is clear: The world around us has changed dramatically, but what we do and why we do it has not. We deliver value to our students by deepening their knowledge and developing them as leaders. We produce ideas and cures that improve lives. We engage in and with our Northeast Ohio community to strengthen our partnerships and to serve the region and its people in meaningful ways.
Especially over the past year, our alumni have shared stories with me about the difference CWRU has made in their lives. Many told me about the world-class faculty members who nurtured their passion in a particular field of study. Others spoke of our culture of curiosity that helped hone their skills as innovators and entrepreneurs. And even more recounted the enduring friendships, partnerships and marriages that originated on our campus. For me, these stories are the color commentary on an already compelling history two centuries in the making.
Perhaps the event we’re most looking forward to this bicentennial year is the opening of the Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Building in October. The 189,000-square-foot building will complete our research ecosystem and solidify our role as a pipeline for talent and innovation in Cleveland and around the world. And as a space wholly dedicated to collaborations among the sciences, engineering, medicine and the humanities, the ISEB will serve as a fitting homage to our predecessor institutions while launching us into our next 200 years.
Similarly, this bicentennial issue presents stories that connect our past with our present and demonstrate our record of impact. You’ll read about members of our university community who have transformed everything from medical imaging and water filtration to healthcare law and even blockbuster superhero franchises. In each of these stories and others, we illustrate how CWRU is built for those driven to be a force in the world.
Finally, we look forward to the bicentennial concert presented by The Cleveland Orchestra on Thursday, June 4, at Severance Music Center. Our friends at Western Reserve Academy (the original home of Western Reserve College) also will join us for this event, and together, we will honor our shared history. I hope to see you then.
Illustration by Anje Jager
