From the President: Propelled by impact, enduring with purpose

As the 2026 bicentennial of Case Western Reserve University draws closer, I’m filled with pride to be part of an institution that holds true to its core values and mission. With these as our guide, we have persisted during times of war, years of economic growth and instability, periods of civil unrest, and recently, the shifting winds that have called into question the value of and funding for institutions of higher education. Through it all, we remain steadfast in our commitment to educate and engage in life-changing research. This has defined our story for nearly two centuries.

Every day, we continue to move forward, advancing our narrative in ways that honor our legacy while positioning us for a bright future. Our students across all schools are learning and participating in experiences that prepare them for a changing world.

In this issue, you’ll read about faculty and students who have helped to create the new Humanity and Technology major, which encourages students to take multi-disciplinary approaches to solving today’s leading challenges. You can also read about how we are navigating and leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) responsibly and in ways that enhance learning and research.

The university’s research enterprise is strong and growing stronger.

Just as we are examining the use of AI in education, our researchers at Case Comprehensive Cancer Center and the School of Medicine are harnessing its powers to diagnose and treat diseases. Similarly, Case School of Engineering faculty are pioneering work in data-centric AI/machine learning and using AI-driven data analytics to advance manufacturing.

And students and researchers at Weatherhead School of Management are employing the technology in projects to impact the business world. You can learn more about all of these in this issue.

The work we do is powerful, important and worth sharing widely. To better achieve this, we are fine-tuning our overall brand messaging and look.

This magazine has been redesigned to better showcase our innovation and impact in a way we believe is informative and entertaining. Recently, we also updated our logo and visual branding. The magazine opens with a photograph highlighting the new CWRU letters located along the Binary Walkway.

The sign has quickly become a popular spot for pictures and social media posts. Our story is compelling, and it is evolving in exciting ways. And just as external forces will continue to shape the landscape in which we exist, we will stay the course through our core values and mission. They have been our solid foundation for nearly 200 years, and we believe it will be for many more to come.

Illustration by Anje Jager