commencement

William “Bill” Baker began his commencement address Sunday with a confession. As a triple alumnus of Case Western Reserve, he had attended three graduation ceremonies here. “That’s three commencement speeches,” he said, “of which I don’t remember a word.” Still, the experience proved instructive…

No student would have anticipated the last two months of their Case Western Reserve University experience would have looked like this: remote classes, Zoom calls to “see” friends, a virtual commencement. But while it is an unconventional ending, it’s just part of the Class of 2020’s story. We…

While members of the Case Western Reserve University community won’t be able to come together physically to celebrate commencement this year, we invited faculty, staff, students, family members and alumni to share their messages of encouragement and congratulations with the Class of 2020. Some…

Robert Savinell has held many titles in his professional career—professor, researcher, mentor and mentee. He served as dean of the Case School of Engineering from 2000 to 2007. In a career that’s spanned more than 40 years, he’s clearly had an impact.  According to Venkataramanan “Ragu”…

Though traditional commencement ceremonies won’t be held this weekend as originally planned, Case Western Reserve University will celebrate the accomplishments of its graduates with a virtual event Sunday, May 17. Undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students will receive their degrees in the…

Andrea Milne, lecturer in history and SAGES teaching fellow, understands how a mentor can change a young student’s life. While a freshman at Bryn Mawr College, Milne got “stuck” in a U.S. history course due to scheduling issues. She had no plans to study history in college, but her professor…

There are treatments, but no cures, for millions of people worldwide suffering from diseases such as multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy and leukodystrophies (rare genetic diseases that affect the brain and spinal cord). This is why Paul Tesar and his lab continue to conduct promising translational…

Years ago, Karen Potter (GRS ’89), professor and chair of the Department of Dance, observed a colleague providing feedback to a student. The exchange was quiet and private so that only the student could hear the instructor’s words of criticism or praise. Potter was so impressed by what she…

Until he became an instructor himself, James “Jim” Spilsbury thought the quality of a college course was strictly up to the professor. But once in that role, while teaching his first few anthropology classes at Case Western Reserve University, it quickly dawned on him: The success of a course is…

As one of the biggest milestones for the Class of 2020 approaches, we’re filled with mixed emotions—excitement for our grads and sadness that we cannot all be together, in-person, celebrating this day from the commencement stage. But, that won’t stop us from celebrating. Make no mistake—our…