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Making a difference on campus, in Cleveland and beyond

The Alumni Association of Case Western Reserve is honoring recipients of its 2024 Alumni Awards during the homecoming celebration in November

Distinguished Alumni Award

Joseph A. Helpern, PhD (WRC '77)

Joseph Helpern has dedicated more than four decades to advancing medical imaging. In 1979, while a research scientist at Baylor College of Medicine, he was on the team that designed one of the world's strongest MRI systems at the time. He later helped develop several other MRI systems and co-developed an imaging method used by clinicians to better evaluate the structure of brain tissue.

A professor at New York University's Grossman School of Medicine for most of his career, Helpern is professor emeritus at Medical University of South Carolina. He also is CEO of Verdant Power, a company that develops systems to convert the kinetic energy of fast-moving water into electricity.

As founder and executive director of New Vision Research (NVR), a Charleston, South Carolina, nonprofit, he continues to mentor faculty. NVR awards medical research grants and sponsors conferences where researchers mainly focused on Alzheimer's disease can present studies and network.

The nonprofit allows him to give back in a new way. "Since I retired from academia, I miss the students," Helpern said. "But NVR allows me to stay engaged and to help young scientists."

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Capricia P. Marshall, JD (LAW '90)

When college students ask Capricia Marshall for advice, she often says, "Don't think life offers you only one track, and when you get on it, you have to stay on it."

Marshall has lived that philosophy. She held White House posts during the presidencies of Bill Clinton and Barack Obama—yet never intended to have a government career.

She credits William P. Marshall, JD, (no relation) a former Case Western Reserve University law professor, with taking her "by the arm" after graduation to work on Clinton's presidential campaign. "Both of us had a little itch to get involved in politics," she said, "and off we went."

She served as special assistant to Hillary Clinton, first on the campaign trail and later in the White House when Clinton was first lady. At 32, Marshall became the second-youngest White House social secretary, leading various social events.

In 2009, she became Obama's chief of protocol when he was president, advising officials on diplomatic procedure. She also created a Diplomatic Partnerships division within her office.

Today, Marshall is a partner in FGS Global, a communications consulting company in Washington, D.C., and ambassador-in-residence at the Atlantic Council think tank, working on Latin American issues.

NEWTON D. BAKER DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD

Lillian Miller Emmons, PhD (GRS '81, health science education; GRS '89, anthropology)

As a nutritional anthropologist, educator and volunteer, Lillian "Lin" Emmons has fostered healthy eating for individuals and communities and is committed to Case Western Reserve's success.

Emmons spent 15 years as the nutritionist at Comprehensive Psychiatric Services in Beachwood, Ohio, counseling people with eating disorders. She also taught community nutrition as an adjunct professor at Cleveland State University.

As a researcher, she studied the effectiveness of food assistance programs at Cornell University and continued that work locally with various nonprofit organizations. She also conducted the first survey of nutrition services in Northeast Ohio and published a guide to them.

As a philanthropist and CWRU volunteer, Emmons received the 2019 Notable Woman of the Year Award from the university's Flora Stone Mather Center for Women and funded its Journal for Women and Gender Centers in Higher Education.

She also supports the campus National Youth Sports Program, a camp that draws hundreds of children in Greater Cleveland to CWRU for sports, educational enrichment, nutrition and health services. "It's a good example of a university reaching out to its immediate community," Emmons said.

DANIEL T. CLANCY ALUMNI SERVICE AWARD

Linda Berry Wheatt (FSM '72; GRS '77, education)

What started as a three-month project for Linda Berry Wheatt turned into a lasting commitment to the next generation of African American alumni at Case Western Reserve. After reconnecting with classmates in 2008 to plan homecoming events, Wheatt became closer to other alumni and played an important role in officially establishing the African American Alumni Association the following year. (The group had existed informally since the 1970s.) Since 2010, she has been chairperson of its communication committee.

Not knowing anyone when she first came to campus, Wheatt expected to be lonely. But several Black students, most in their second year, quickly reached out and they formed what became lifelong friendships. She wants students and other alumni to experience the same sense of family and said her CWRU relationships fuel her motivation to give back.

Wheatt is also passionate about preserving and sharing CWRU's Black history and has contributed to multiple exhibits across campus. "Current students love knowing about who came before and what [the Black experience on campus] was like ‘back in the day,'" Wheatt said.

YOUNG ALUMNI AWARD

Justin M. Bibb (LAW '18, MGT '18)

Nearly three years after becoming mayor of Cleveland, Justin Bibb is striving to revitalize the city's southeast side, increase resources for unhoused residents and enhance public safety.

Bibb became mayor at age 34, the second-youngest person elected to the position. "As a leader from a younger generation, I have the advantage of navigating the evolving digital landscape and leveraging technological advancements to modernize Cleveland and City Hall," he said.

For example, in Cleveland's southeast side, his administration has launched numerous initiatives to address blight, improve the housing stock, pursue new developments and enhance neighborhood infrastructure.

Bibb also aims to reduce violent crime in Cleveland through his Raising Investment in Safety for Everyone Initiative, which combines camera-monitoring technology, expansion of the city's police force and other public-safety investments.

"Of course, being a younger mayor brings challenges, such as overcoming perceptions about experience," Bibb said. "But it also brings energy, adaptability and a drive to rethink old ways and implement meaningful changes."

In addition to leading the city, Bibb serves on the boards of the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority, the Destination Cleveland tourism nonprofit and the LAND Studio arts and public-spaces organization.

— LAUREN DANGEL