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We asked alumni ...What's your favorite Case Western Reserve University building—and why?
Aleta Looker (FSM '58)
"Mather House was a co-op dorm for women from many parts of the country. I lived there from the fall of 1954 to the spring of 1958 (except for summers), and it was one of the best places on campus. I met and made friends with many and still maintain connections with those who have survived."
Michael Bloom (WRC '77)
"My favorite building has to be the Case Western Reserve University Office of Undergraduate Admission. I lived in that building for three years as an undergraduate when it was the Sigma Chi fraternity house. I was back on campus this summer for the first time since 1977 and had a lovely visit there. Everyone was very friendly and allowed me to walk through the building recalling the layout of the rooms as I remembered them 47 years ago."
Jo Frances (Meltzer) Brown (FSM '71)
"In 1969, I was fortunate enough to move into Mather House, [one of] the first co-ed dormitories on campus. A parent's consent was required for residency. We had a great mix of women and men who enjoyed the casual vibe, communal kitchen, baby grand piano and excellent mid-campus location. My two besties also lived there—all three of us in single rooms on the second floor. I happily lived there until I graduated in May 1971."
Steven Tso (CWR '19)
"The Den. I hold many dear memories of getting late-night eats with my close friends, discussing everything from pondering the future to whether my friend really just recreated an Arnold Palmer half-and-half by mixing lemonade and iced tea. Probably the most important part of The Den is the staff who were always welcoming of a bunch of rowdy college students at 2 a.m., remembering our silly Tapingo [ordering app] names and wishing us the best on our young journey."
Mitchell Henn (ADL '72)
"The Mather [Memorial Building] that I walked past almost every day while in school. As a pledge for my fraternity, Phi Gamma Delta, I had to figure out the inscription around the top of its tower ... Since it was 56 years ago, I really can't remember exactly how I came up with what the inscription is. I remember you can't read the whole inscription from the ground." (The inscription consists of biblical proverbs.)
Joseph Discenza (CIT '88)
"I spent so many hours in Harkness Chapel with [Case Men's Glee Club] rehearsals and concerts. Acoustics are better in Amasa Stone [Chapel], but we'd usually only have one show there a year."
Megan Riva Mueller (CWR '95)
"It's a toss between the Tyler [House residence hall], because that is where I met my lifelong friends at, or Amasa Stone Chapel, since Rich Mueller (CWR '95) and I were married there!"
Danielle Thornsberry (CWR '14)
"Clarke [Tower]! I was a pre-med evolutionary biology major but minored in history and my favorite classes were in that building: history, anthropology and English. They were smaller classes that allowed me to really focus on the lectures or seminars, but also build relationships with my professors and classmates. I also loved how old and filled with memories the building seemed; it was like having class in a historic home."
Chris Partis (WRC '83)
"I have to say my favorite campus building is actually a group of buildings: the Mather Quad! This collection of buildings from the original [Flora Stone] Mather College campus always reminds me of the thousands of students who have walked these paths and studied here over so many years."
OUR NEXT QUESTION: What was your favorite item of clothing during your university days—and why?
We'd love to hear from you. Please send us your memories for inclusion in the spring/summer 2025 issue of Think by emailing lauren.dangel@case.edu.
— LAUREN DANGEL