After 20 years of leadership as dean of the Jack, Joseph, and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences, and 46 years as a member of the faculty at Case Western Reserve University, Grover “Cleve” Gilmore is retiring on June 30, 2021. Gilmore has been integral to numerous university successes—his visionary leadership has propelled the Mandel School into a future of educational excellence, innovation, enhanced financial security and distinguished service.
On Thursday, May 6, we honored Dean Gilmore's legacy at Celebrating Dean Grover "Cleve" Gilmore: A Legacy of Leadership, a special virtual retirement celebration recognizing his many accomplishments and friendships made over the years. A Tribute Book and Tribute Video premiered at the event, and Gilmore was presented with his very own authentic "Gilmore 21" Cleveland Indians jersey, as a devoted team fan and in honor of his love of baseball.
Throughout his tenure, Gilmore achieved many accomplishments including launching an undergraduate social work minor, adding six research and training centers, and initiating the university’s first short-term study abroad program. Gilmore also helped establish the university’s first online degree program, garnered a goal-shattering $44 million in a capital campaign, secured 38 new endowed scholarships—increasing the number from the time of his arrival from 16 to 54—and oversaw the renovation and expansion of the building, providing the school with the most technologically-advanced classrooms on campus.
Most recently, the school carried out its mission and continued to safely provide critically-needed community services during a public health pandemic. The Mandel School recently launched a new generalist social work curriculum—the product of years of work by many faculty members. The Mandel School’s generalist curriculum is anticipated to be a new template for social work education nationally.
Under Gilmore’s leadership, the Mandel School also consistently ranked among U.S. News & World Report’s top 10 social work schools in the nation and No. 1 in Ohio.
Dean Gilmore Scholarship Campaign
In recognition of Dean Gilmore's long and distinguished career, we are seeking support to increase scholarships for Mandel School students in Dean Gilmore's honor. All donations made in honor of Dean Gilmore or directly to the Dean’s Scholarship Fund, as well as those made to the annual fund, named scholarship funds, or through the creation of a new scholarship fund, will be counted toward the campaign's goal of $1 million. The campaign will conclude on July 1, 2021.
Increased financial assistance will make the Mandel School more accessible to the best and brightest students, no matter their financial wherewithal. Providing more financial aid through scholarships will decrease the average debt of $77,000 that Mandel School students presently face.
The dean's vision is to expand scholarship support from the present average of 36% per student per year to 75% of tuition support. The $1 million attainment goal from this campaign will provide critically-needed assistance to our students now, as we continue to work toward our $15 million goal to expand the average tuition scholarship support to 75% of tuition. The overwhelming good that will come from your gift will create a positive impact for generations to come.
In addition, on March 10, 2021, the Mandel Foundation announced that they are recognizing Dean Grover “Cleve” Gilmore’s accomplishments through a $250,000 challenge grant to the Dean Grover “Cleve” Gilmore Scholarship Campaign. The foundation will match—dollar for dollar—up to $250,000 total in contributions toward scholarships donated between now and June 30. Your donation will be doubled when you take advantage of the Mandel Foundation’s matching gift challenge, so no matter the size, your gift will be vital in helping reach the ultimate goal.