FALL 2019
Keeping Up With CL AS S p. 2
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C L A S S V i k i n g s p p . 7 – 11
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Dwayne Bray, 2019 Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient
Alumni Updates p. 12
Cleveland State University College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
Letter from the Dean I was very pleased to assume the role of Interim Dean for the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS) on July 1st. During the previous five years, I served as the Chairperson for the Department of Philosophy and Comparative Religion. I believe this, as well as meeting with the former Dean, Dr. Gregory Sadlek, before I began my new responsibilities, provided me with a slight edge when assuming my new role of leading one of the largest and the most diverse colleges here at Cleveland State University. This College’s diversity provides a kind of focused inclusivity and this is a strength as we work toward our overarching goal of contributing to the development of citizens who become life-long learners. Faculty in CLASS, and often in concert with other colleges, engage in work undertaken to ameliorate troubles arising from various quarters. For example, work is ongoing to address the opioid crisis; to develop nonpharmacological interventions to improve the wellbeing of those suffering from dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease; to provide music therapy for the intellectually and neurologically disabled; to understand patterns of homicide, suicide, and violence in Cuyahoga County. Equally important, through teaching, research, scholarship, and creative activities, CLASS faculty work to insure the expansion of the intellectual and aesthetic sensibilities of our students. The work of our faculty is wide and varied and includes creating/appreciating works of visual, aural, written and media art, employing digital technology to better understand historical places/events, engaging in societal, economic, political and ethical analyses, and the study of languages, literatures, and cultures. While budgetary constraints resulted in staff changes throughout the College, we know we can always count on our excellent staff to support our faculty and students. Given this, we look forward to another exciting and productive year for our faculty, staff, and students as we move forward together.
Allyson Robichaud
Interim Dean, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
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Table of Contents 4
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Table of Contents ................... 1
Keeping Up With CLASS ................... 2
Homecoming and Awards ................... 3
Dwayne Bray, DAA 2019 ............. 4 & 5
Spring 2019 CLASS Scholars ................... 6
Fall 2019 Exhibitions ................... 7
CLASS Vikings ................... 8
Drughelp.care ................... 9
Anna V. Brown ................. 10
50th Anniversary Celebration ................. 11 CLASS Alumni Updates ................. 12
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CLASS Philanthropy ................. 13
Visit us online at class.csuohio.edu Published by College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences (CLASS) 2121 Euclid Avenue Cleveland, Ohio 44115 216.687.3660 class.csuohio.edu
CLASS Deans Dr. Allyson Robichaud, Interim Dean Dr. Robert Shelton, Interim Associate Dean Dr. Wendy Regoeczi, Interim Associate Dean
Staff Lesley Lang, Designer & Assistant Editor Jody Milkie, Editor
Contributors Dwayne Bray, '88 Thomas Bynum Brenda Driscoll Connie Karapelou Miyuki Tedor Robert Thurmer Victoria Winbush
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Keeping Up With CLASS New Chairs and Directors
Associate Dean for Faculty
Linda Francis, Interim Chair Department of Criminology, Anthropology, and Sociology
Wendy Regoeczi: Started July 1 (Interim)
Matt Jackson-McCabe, Interim Chair Department of Philosophy and Comparative Religion Robert Whitbred Director, School of Communication
New Faculty Assistant Professor Anita Gabrosek School of Film & Media Arts David Hicks Department of Art and Design Todd Nelson Department of Political Science
College Lecturer John Jirik School of Communication Amanda Lloyd Department of English Julie Saternus Department of English
Visiting Professor James Schnell School of Communication
Promotions Professor Bill D. Kosteas Department of Economics
Associate Professor Julie M. Burrell Department of English Phuong V. Ngo Department of Economics Heather A. Russell School of Music
Senior College Lecturer Phillip J. Wanyerka Department of Criminology, Anthropology, and Sociology
New Staff Kendall Christian The Galleries at CSU, Assistant Director Ritika Giju CLASS Dean’s Office, Budget Manager LaDonna Simmons Black Studies Program, Administrative Secretary David Tarbert Film & Media Arts, Workflow Coordinator Mark Wirtz Department of English & Department of World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, Secretary
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Dr. Regoeczi was Professor and Chair of the Department of Criminology, Anthropology, and Sociology. She previously served as the Graduate Director for Sociology from 2008 to 2012. She is the founding director of the Criminology Research Center at CSU, which opened in 2008. Professor Regoeczi's research focuses on violent crime, particularly homicide and domestic violence. She has been the recipient of multiple federal and local grants, including funding from the National Institute of Justice and the National Science Foundation.
Associate Dean for Curriculum Robert Shelton: Started July 1 (Interim) Dr. Shelton worked for several years as a newspaper editor before attending graduate school at Rice University, where he earned a Ph.D. in History. Before joining the faculty of the History Department at Cleveland State, he worked as the assistant editor of the Race and Slavery Petitions project at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro, where he supervised a staff of ten in cataloging and writing abstracts for more than 100,000 pages of historical documents related to slavery in the U.S. South. He has served for five years as the graduate director in CSU's Department of History and on various departmental, college, and university committees. He has published articles and book chapters on slavery, labor, and southern history. He regularly teaches traditional, web-based, and honors courses in nineteenth-century American history.
Homecoming and Awards CSU’s Homecoming Highlights Crisp autumn air, apple cider, and the scent of bonfires means it is Homecoming time at Cleveland State University. Our Alumni Engagement staff offered a variety of activities to help alumni and friends connect and celebrate with their Viking family. Here are just a few of the events held during Homecoming week:
50th Anniversary Brunch for the Class of 1969
AWARDS 2019 Excellence in Scholarship Award Stephanie D. Hinnershitz Phuong V. Ngo
2019 CLASS Engaged Service Award Cameron Michalak
2019 Golden Apple Teaching Award Members of the Class of 1969 gathered to look back, peek ahead, and enjoy the camaraderie of classmates while sharing memories as they celebrated their golden anniversary since graduation.
Economics Reunion Created Connections
Stephen Cory; Peter Dunham; Kathy Ewing; Lydia Grebenyova; Chris Mallett; Phuong Ngo; James Pawlik; Richard Perloff; Hilary Plum; Miyuki Tedor; Donna Whyte
A good time was had by all who attended the economics alumni and faculty gathering at Republic Food and Drink on October 2 as part of CSU Homecoming week. Alumni reminisced, shared life and work updates, and enjoyed re-engaging with one another.
Viking Harvest Alumni Picnic
This year, President Harlan Sands and Lynn Sands hosted the last picnic of the season and invited families, friends, faculty, staff, and alumni to Mather Mansion for fair food, fun times, live music, face painting, rock climbing, inflatables and so much more. More than 500 members of the Viking family joined in the fun!
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CLASS Alumni
Meet
DWAYNE BRAY BA Communication ’88 2019 CLASS Distinguished Alumnus! Senior Coordinating Producer, ESPN
Print and broadcast journalist Dwayne Bray received his bachelor’s degree in communication from CSU in 1988, as well as a master’s degree in journalism from The Ohio State University. He has been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize three times and has won the Edward R. Murrow, Alfred I. DuPont, and Peabody awards, as well as the New York Film Festival’s World’s Best TV and Film Grand Award. His newspaper career includes reporter and editor positions at the Medina Gazette, Dallas Morning News, Dayton Daily News, and Los Angeles Times. Bray has been the senior coordinating producer at ESPN for the past 13 years and lives in Connecticut. He is an engaged alumnus, serving on the CSU Foundation Board of Directors and has established the Queenie Bray Memorial Scholarship in Communication in honor of his late mother. Bray is also helping launch a student leadership series entitled About Manhood.
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CLASS Alumni Why did you choose CSU? I decided to attend Cleveland State University after I graduated from Shaw High School in East Cleveland in 1983. I had average to below-average grades, but the great thing about CSU is it believes in giving everyone an opportunity. And then it sort of took off from there. I improved my study habits because I met friends who helped me to become a better student, and my grades reflected that. CSU was a really open and friendly campus, enabling me to join some student groups such as the two newspapers at the time, The Vindicator and The Cauldron, and along with the folks at those organizations, I developed as a student and student leader.
Homecoming Distinguished Alumni Awards
Can you share a favorite memory of your time at CSU? I do have the honor of saying I invited the President of the United States to Cleveland State University, and he actually came. When President Bush arrived on campus, the Secret Service lead me to a room where the President was. When President Bush saw me, he stuck out his hand out and said, “Dwayne, thank you for inviting me to Cleveland State University.”
How did CSU and your degree prepare you for your life and career? Through course work, networking, and bonding with fellow students and professors, I improved as a critical thinker, and that probably helped me more than anything else in my journalism career. I ended up being a reporter in Medina at the Medina Gazette, a reporter at the Dayton Daily News,
As CSU’s marquee alumni event of the year, Cleveland State University’s Distinguished Alumni Awards program saluted 12 outstanding graduates who were honored for their service, leadership and career achievements.
a reporter at the Los Angeles Times, and then came back to Dayton to be an editor. From there, I went to Dallas, Texas, where I ran coverage of the Dallas Cowboys, became the sports editor, and then the deputy managing editor for the Dallas Morning News. And from there, literally, my dream job offer came. ESPN called and offered me a job as a news editor of all its coverage of the NBA and Monday Night Football. After that, ESPN asked me to start its first formal investigative unit for outside the lines. I’m very proud that, as a Cleveland State University graduate, I led the worldwide leader in sports to its only two Peabody Awards for news.
Tell us about your proudest achievements?
Photo: Nikki Byrd, President of the CSU Alumni Association and member, CLASS Visiting Committee; Dr. Allyson L. Robichaud, Interim Dean; Dwayne Bray '88; Harlan Sands, CSU President
Most importantly, I’m proud that I am a member of the Cleveland State University’s Foundation Board as a national director. I really think the money we raise—and last year it was over $2 million—is going to give kids like myself the opportunity to go to school.
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CLASS Scholars | Spring 2019 Spring 2019 CLASS SCHOLARS Jessica Acord
Hanna Kraker
Major: Social Work
Majors: English-Creative Writing and French
Andrew Arehart Major: Film, TV and Interactive Media
William Arehart Major: Film, TV and Interactive Media
Frederick Assmus Major: Music Education
Darby Barnovsky Major: Social Work Minor: Psychology
Spring 2019 CLASS VALEDICTORIAN
KAILA GRIFFIN
Majors: Sociology and Criminology
Kaitlyn Levigne Major: Theatre Arts
Mary Nazimiec Majors: History and Social Studies
Emily Nieberding Major: English-Creative Writing
Shannah Byrnes
Anna Oprisch
Majors: English and Linguistics
Majors: Art: Design and Journalism & Promotional Communication Minor: Marketing
Misael Caraballo Kaila Griffin, CLASS Valedictorian
Alexandra Kremer
Major: Film, TV and Interactive Media Minor: Business
Becky Christofferson Majors: History and International Relations
Colleen Cieplowski Major: English-Creative Writing
MaKenna Daus Majors: Criminology and Sociology
Amanda Pacanovsky Major: English-Language Arts Minor: Communication Studies
Nicole Picozzi Major: Social Work
Skyla Schaefer Majors: Criminology and Sociology
Roxanne Steinmuller Major: Anthropology
Majors: Criminology and Accounting Minors: Sociology, Statistics, and Risk Management and Compliance
MaryAnn Dowdell
Major: Criminology
Majors: Communication and Criminology Minor: Psychology
Kaila Griffin graduated in spring 2019 as both the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences and Cleveland State University’s valedictorian. Griffin double majored in criminology and accounting and completed three minors. She also had the opportunity to serve as an Honors College intern for the FBI’s Cleveland Field Office. This past year, she returned to CSU as a Master of Business Administration and Business Analytics student. She will also continue her internship with the FBI and plans to apply for a full time position with the agency following completion of her MBA.
Rebekah Ferro
Kayla Weglicki
Major: Theatre Arts
Major: Sociology
Victoria Graham
Abigail Wolgamuth
Major: English-Creative Writing Minor: Sociology
Majors: Linguistics and French Minor: Statistics
Lindsey Higgins
Claudia Zido
Majors: Criminology and Sociology
Major: Communication Studies-Management Minor: Business
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Major: English-Creative Writing
Courtney Dunn
Gwendolyn Kochur Major: Journalism & Promotional Communication
Dylan Strange
CLASS Vikings Fall 2019 Exhibitions By Robert Thurmer, The Galleries at CSU The Galleries at CSU had two exhibitions this past fall semester—the Studio Art Faculty Exhibition and the Recent Alumni Exhibition. It has been seven years since The Galleries' last Faculty and Alumni exhibitions. This is a natural rhythm for the Galleries since we have unintentionally scheduled faculty exhibitions every seven years for several cycles. Much has happened since the last period, especially in terms of personnel. It seems appropriate at this time to take a new look at ourselves, to reintroduce the Department of Art and Design to the broader community, and to celebrate our alumni and their remarkable accomplishments. Faculty and alumni exhibitions are significant to the functioning of a healthy art and design program. Faculty exhibitions present unique opportunities for the public, including current and potential students, to examine the aesthetic and visual sensibility of Cleveland State's professors. These exhibitions offer a look at the artworks on their terms beyond teaching or any other considerations. All of our professors are respected professional artists who investigate not only materials and techniques, but the nature of art, its role in the individual psyche, and society at large— important topics for a vigorous and robust community. Alumni exhibitions give a sense of how our teaching prepares students to participate in the world of art and how to succeed in a very competitive environment. Alumni exhibitions also provide the public and students a sense of what can be accomplished with a degree from the institution. Many of our recent alumni have achieved graduate degrees or professional standing that reflect very positively on our endeavor to educate young artists and art professionals. Studying at CSU gives our students the tools to develop their style, methods, and ideas—the most far-reaching and meaningful endeavor for emerging artists. Furthermore, this particular alumni exhibition was curated by an alum in Art History and Museum Studies, confirmation that studying at CSU can propel students to achieve so much. The Fall 2019 Studio Arts Faculty Exhibition features large-scale drawings by David Hicks, Drawing; an installation by Irina Koukhanova, Sculpture; new media works by Qian Li, Design; etchings and aquatints by Russ Revock, Printmaking and Painting; and photographs by Mark Slankard, Photography. Conceptual works were also provided by Robert Thurmer, Director of the Galleries at CSU. The Alumni Exhibition features work by Yiyun Chen ('15), Benji Diaz ('14), Aja Grant ('17), Heather Molecke ('16), Dante Rodriguez ('03), Omid Tavakoli ('14), and Josh Usmani ('13). The exhibition was curated by Liz Sisley, Art History ('16 BA) and History in Museum Studies ('19 MA).
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CLASS Vikings Developing Societies in a Changing World (First Edition)
2019 Diversity Councils Award Winners
By Michael Skladany and Rongjun Sun
The College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS) Diversity Council was one of three colleges awarded the Annual Diversity Council Award for the events held throughout the 2018-19 academic year. The awards were given for the Innovation, Impact, Sustainability, and Alignment with University Diversity goals.
Developing Societies in a Changing World offers students a concise and accessible exploration of our developing world. Readers learn about globalization, the interconnected nature of our world, and how these connections influence our daily lives. Through the presentation of key concepts, theoretical frameworks, examples, case studies, illustrations, figures, and tables, the text demonstrates how all individuals are actors in both the localized and globalized world. The opening chapters present students with basic concepts and empirical findings regarding development and the organization of the developed and developing world. The following chapters provide a chronological sequence of capitalist world development, discussing the advent of colonialism, the nation-states and modern economies that formed post-colonialism, the influence of modernity on prosperity and poverty, and provides an overview of globalization. Students learn about the relationship between population growth and well-being, the interplay of culture and the environment, and current real-world issues that are bringing about global social change. Designed to help students develop a greater understanding of the world and the environment that shapes it, Developing Societies in a Changing World is ideal for introductory courses with focus on developing societies and globalization.
The CLASS Diversity Council sponsored five events in the 2018-19 academic year. These events were designed to target all members of the college, including students, faculty, and staff, to provide everyone with opportunities to have constructive conversations about controversial and/or sensitive topics. All of the CLASS Diversity Council events had a common goal: to “Establish a Common Understanding.� These events provided opportunities to learn skills and to engage in discussions with others about race, political differences, as well as implicit biases communicated both verbally and non-verbally. The 2018-19 members included Cheryl Bracken (Chair), Interim Provost; Rashelle Baker, School of Communication; Thomas Bynum, Black Studies Program, Adrienne Gosselin, Department of English; Mitch Lieberth, CLASS Advising; Meshack Owino, Department of History; George Tsagaris, School of Social Work; and Victoria Winbush, School of Social Work.
Overview by Cognella Academic Publishing.
About the authors: Michael Skladany is an associate college lecturer in the Department of Criminology, Anthropology & Sociology at Cleveland State University, Over the past 40 years, he has worked in a number of countries, including Thailand, Rwanda, Peru, and Mexico for various international aid agencies. He teaches courses in developing societies, globalization, and sustainable development. Rongjun Sun is an associate professor in the Department of Criminology, Anthropology & Sociology at Cleveland State University, where he teaches courses in methods of social research, quantitative sociological research, developing societies, and the sociology of aging.
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Photo: Cheryl Bracken (Chair), Rashelle Baker, Mitch Lieberth, Thomas Bynum, Victoria Winbush, Adrienne Gosselin, and Gregory Sadlek
CLASS Vikings Professors Miyuki Tedor, Department of Criminology, Anthropology and Sociology, and Patty Stoddard Dare, School of Social Work, received the Champion of Recovery Award from the Women's Recovery Center for their work on drughelp.care.
DRUGHELP.CARE is here to help! By Miyuki Tedor
Department of Criminology, Anthropology, and Sociology
Drughelp.care is a web application created to improve access to drug treatment services, reduce wait times, and better ensure that individuals get the help they need. The web app allows drug treatment provider agencies to log the services they provide and quickly and easily update their available treatment slots and wait time on a daily basis. The app is fully searchable, allowing treatment providers, first responders, and individuals seeking treatment to find available services at the click of a button that match their needs. The idea for the web app was conceived and developed by affiliates of CSU’s Center for Behavioral Health Sciences as a component of a strategic partnership with St. Vincent Charity Medical Center to address opiate addiction in Northeast Ohio. The effort sought to address grassroots calls for a user-friendly tool to make information about open treatment slots in our community publicly available on a daily basis. Team leaders Dr. Miyuki Tedor, Associate Professor of Sociology and Criminology and Dr. Patricia Stoddard Dare, Professor of Social Work and coordinator of CSU’s Chemical Dependency Counseling Certificate program, met with over 100 community stakeholders over the course of a year to develop the specifications for this app. The technical specifications were then designed by two CSU software development engineering graduate students under the mentorship of CSU Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Professor, Dr. Wenbing Zhao. The web app was officially launched in November 2018 and has been featured in various news outlets throughout Cleveland. Since the project began in the fall 2017, the team received several internal grants from CSU and one external grant from Woodruff Foundation that helped to expand the project significantly through the 2018-2019 academic year. In September 2019, the team received $190,338, renewable for the next three years, as a part of Cuyahoga County Overdose Data to Action grant from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Dr. Tedor is the principle investigator on this grant.
Photo: Patty Stoddard Dare and Miyuki Tedor
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CLASS Vikings
ANNA V. BROWN Community Forum & Conference By Victoria R. Winbush, School of Social Work In spring, the School of Social Work held the 2019 Anna B. Brown Community Forum & Conference, Connect, Create & Contribute: Reassessing the Needs of Black Elders, at the McGregor Home Assisted Living and Retirement facility. From 1987 through 2014, the conference had been an annual event. In 2019 it was brought back to life. There were 200+ participants in attendance, including elders, caregivers, social services and health care providers, students, community leaders, and educators. The Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging provided scholarship support that enabled attendees over 60 years of age to attend without a cost. The Senior Transportation Connection also provided transportation without charge to and from the event for a significant number of elderly attendees.
The dedicated efforts of a conference planning committee chaired by social work faculty member, Dr. Victoria Winbush, revitalized a conference which had been known for bringing more awareness and sensitivity to the unique needs of Black elders who reside in the Greater Cleveland Community. – Dr. Cathleen Lewandowski, Director of the School of Social Work
The half-day event offered education and information sessions and a resource fair provided an opportunity for 25 health and human services agencies to share information about their service offerings. The conference also launched its inaugural poster session, which showcased the areas of research and practice engaged in by local students from a variety of health-related disciplines. Ms. Eleanor Hays, the conference moderator, CSU alumnus and former TV anchor for Fox 8 News, opened with a video tribute to the conference’s originator, Dr. Zev Harel and its namesake, Mrs. Anna V. Brown. The featured speaker, Dr. Ann W. Nguyen, Assistant Professor at the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) presented Reassessing the needs of Black Elders. Following Dr. Nguyen’s presentation, there were two panel discussions. The first panel, Elder Voices: In Their Own Words,” was facilitated by Ms. Denise Rucker-Burton, the Program Administrator for the Community Office on Aging in the Cuyahoga County Division of Senior and Adult Services. The members of the panel were Dr. May Wykle, retired Dean of the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing CWRU and Mr. Frances Blount, retired speech and hearing pathologist for the Cleveland Municipal School District. The second panel discussion, Care Providers: We Are Listening– A Community Responds, was facilitated by Mr. William Tarter, Jr., Policy Planning Associate with the Center for Community Solutions. The members of the panel were Ms. Tangi McCoy, Chief Executive Officer, McGregor PACE Program; Ms. Mary McNamara, Director, Department of Aging for the City of Cleveland; Rev. Lorenzo Norris, Director, the Cleveland Clergy Alliance and responsible for the newly implemented Connection Seniors to Services Program. The closing session, Looking Back...Looking Forward was provided by Dr. Victoria Winbush, Assistant College Lecturer in the School of Social Work at Cleveland State University. Dr. Winbush invited the audience to recognize the importance of: • Understanding the impact of historical trauma on the Black elderly • Continuing to take into account the health risks and unique service needs of the Black elderly • Learning to translate so that others could benefit from the lessons of longevity, resilience learned from the Black elderly.
Top photo: Denise Rucker Burton, May Wykle, Frances Blount Bottom photo: William Tarter, Jr., Rev. Lorenzo Norris, Mary McNamara, Tangi McCoy
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At the closing of the conference, a Black elder was heard sharing the following reflection with others who were sitting at her table, “This was an uplifting experience. I saw myself and the people I know reflected in the information I heard today. I am leaving feeling more knowledgeable about what I can do to preserve my health and to take good care of my loved ones.”
CLASS Vikings
Photos Left to Right: Prester Pickett, Nikki Byrd, Ron Kisner, Donna Whyte, Thomas L. Bynum and Gregory Sadlek; Jake Streeter, first graduate of the Black Studies Program; 50th Anniversary Celebration tote bag; Black Studies Student Camaron J. Mayes and Donna Henderson-Moore
Black Studies Program
50th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION By Thomas Bynum, Black Studies Program On Saturday, October 12, 2019, Cleveland State University celebrated the 50th anniversary of the creation of the Black Studies Program. The event was free and open to the public and featured a keynote address by Dr. Melba Boyd, a distinguished professor and noted author at Wayne State University, as well as a video presentation documenting the history of the Black Studies Program. “We are extraordinarily pleased to be able to celebrate this important anniversary and highlight the tremendous work of so many students, faculty, staff, and community members in making this a reality,” noted Dr. Thomas Bynum, the current director of the Black Studies Program. Founded in 1969 under the leadership of Dr. Ralph Pruitt, its creation followed significant activism by students on campus to enhance representation for minorities in all aspects of University life, including in academics, research, scholarship, and extracurricular activities. According to Ron Kisner, founder of The Vindicator, a black student newspaper founded one year later, “Given the climate of the times and the emergence of Black pride and self-hood, CSU’s Black Studies Program was an essential academic platform whose time had come.” The Afro-American Cultural Center (currently the Howard A. Mims African American Cultural Center) opened in 1970 to enhance opportunities for community and campus collaboration and student engagement, while also sponsoring exhibits and talks highlighting African American history, politics, art, and writing.
campus,” adds Dr. Louis Brownlowe, former Dean of University Studies at CSU. “This includes serving as a gathering place and a home away from home for African American students, neither of which existed at CSU prior to the formation of the Program. It has also been a vehicle to better involve agencies and organizations from Cleveland’s African American community in campus life, for the benefit of the community and our students.” Subsequent directors of the Black Studies Program include Curtis Wilson, Howard A. Mims, Michael Williams, and Donna Whyte. Today the program features a major and a minor, jointappointed faculty, the Cultural Center, “Images” radio broadcast, and is affiliated with Cleveland’s Jazz Heritage Orchestra. Moving forward, Bynum hopes to expand opportunities for research and scholarship in Black Studies for both students and faculty, as well as highlight the importance of the Program to CSU’s academic and cultural mission. To increase collaboration between Black Studies and other programs, a partnership has been established with CSU’s Office of Inclusion and Multicultural Engagement Officer to present Project 400, a yearlong commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the legacy and contributions of enslaved Africans brought to North America.
“Black Studies has long been a mecca for intellectual and social conversations between Black students, faculty, and staff on
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CLASS Alumni Updates
CLASS Alumni Updates Maghan Keita (formerly Michael J. Wilson) (’75 MA History) is a professor of history who has taught at Villanova University for 30 years. In 2018, Villanova celebrated the 25th anniversary of the African Studies department started by Dr. Keita. He also started and chaired the Global Interdisciplinary Studies program. Dr. Keita is a faculty leader for the Global Citizens Alliance, a past winner of the Cheikh Anta Diop Award for Race and the Writing of History: Riddling the Sphinx, and a recipient of numerous honors for leadership by The College Board. Jean Jensen (’83 BA Art, ’92 MEd Counseling) retired after teaching art for 30 years at Clearview High School in Lorain. David James (’91 BA Economics, ’97 MPA Public Administration) superintendent of Akron public schools, is the 2019 recipient of the Leadership Akron Lieberth Community Vision Award. David Lucarelli (’96 BA Communication) was named the vice president of global human resources at Swagelok Company, Solon, Ohio. Michelle Niedermier (’96 BA Political Science) joined Montgomery County Job & Family Services as director after serving in the same capacity at Lucas County Job & Family Services. Harold Specht (’96 BA Political Science, ’99 JD Law) is a judge on the Ashtabula Eastern County Court. He is a former Ashtabula County chief assistant prosecutor. Tiffany Stocker-Sibel (’02 BA Communication) was inducted into the Conotton Valley Athletics Hall of Fame for earning 16 letters in volleyball, basketball, softball, and cheerleading while in high school. She was also inducted into the CSU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2013 for her softball achievements. Lee Chilcote (’02 MA English, ’03 MPA Public Administration) is the author of How to Live in Ruins, a poetry collection.
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Shannon Salupo (’03 BA Communication) is the corporate beverage manager for Quaker Steak & Lube. Susan Hall Dotson (’03 BA Communication, ’05 MA History) is a coordinator of African American history at the Indiana Historical Society. For the past 12 years, she was the director of community relations and curator at the Western Reserve Historical Society. Nadeen Hayden (’03 BA Political Science, ’07 JD Law) joined the internet defamation division at the law firm Minc Law at Pinecrest in Orange Village. Kevin (KC) McKenna (’05 BA Communication) was named principal of his alma mater, St. Edward High School. He has served in leadership roles at the school for 12 years. Patrick Duhaney (’06 BA Sociology) was named city manager of Cincinnati after eight months as acting city manager. Ryan T. Aroney (’07 BA Communication) was promoted to president and chief executive officer of United Way of Greater Lorain County. Nyaunu Stevens (’07 BA Sociology) joined the National Conference for Community and Justice as their associate director of programs. Greg Vlosich (’07 BA Art) launched a Cleveland State collection of t-shirts and sweatshirts at GV Art & Apparel, which he co-founded. Teela Kovacs (’08 BA Art) received the Outstanding Art Teacher of the Year award from the northeast region of the Ohio Art Education Association. She has been teaching with the Avon Lake district since 2013. John Stilliana (’08 MA History) was promoted to the vice president for government and external affairs at Northeast Ohio Medical University. He previously was the director of state government and external affairs.
Brittany Bate (’11 BA Criminology, Sociology, and Psychology, ’12 MA Sociology) completed an APA-accredited predoctoral internship in clinical psychology at the Federal Correctional Center in Butner, NC and graduated with a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas, both in August 2018. She is currently completing a postdoctoral fellowship at a private practice at Wynns Family Psychology in Cary, NC, where she is a clinical psychologist. Andrea Nagy (’12 BA Communication Management) was promoted to a full-time assistant softball coach at Case Western Reserve University. As a part-time assistant coach, she helped lead the team to its most successful season ever. Shanette D. Buford-Brazzell (’13 BA Journalism & Promotional Communication) was the recipient of the 2018 YMCA Distinguished Young Woman Award. She works as an assistant director of development in the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University. Noor Bahhur (’15 BA English, ’18 JD Law) is an associate in the Columbus office of Porter Wright. Andrew Kovach (’16 BA Political Science, ’17 MA Global Interactions) received the Cleveland Council on World Affairs’ 2019 Outstanding Programmer Award. Sara La Cotti (’17 BA English) participated in a highly selective, four-week training program in book, magazine, and digital publishing at Oxford University in England. Clinton Ransey (’18 BA History) is the customer relationship manager for Angelica Textiles in Georgia. He returned to CSU after 29 years to complete his degree and now lives in Mississippi.
CLASS Philanthropy
THE
Amato Family COLLEGE COMPLETION SCHOLARSHIP FUND The College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences is pleased to announce the establishment of The Amato Family College Completion Scholarship Fund. This new scholarship fund is intended to provide support for undergraduate and graduate students in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences who need financial assistance in order to complete their degrees.
The Amato Family: Gary, Patricia, Greg, and Brittany
Gary and his wife Patricia created this fund in December of 2018. Gary became engaged with Cleveland State University in 2016 when he began taking history courses as a Project 60 student. He appreciates the level of learning and activity he has received since he first enrolled in classes at CSU, with courses on Fascism and The Holocaust, taught by Professor Mark Cole, being among some of his favorite academic offerings. Due to his sincere appreciation from participating in classes at CSU and being on campus, Gary quickly came to realize the incredible opportunities and world class education CSU can provide students in furthering their lives, and adding talent to our local workforce: “I am especially appreciative of CSU President Harlan Sands’ efforts to further integrate Ohio’s excellent community colleges with CSU to provide an affordable path to a great education.” Gary has also generously supported Radiance, Lift Up Vikes! and several other CSU programs to benefit our students. Gary retired in 2015 from Hubbell Inc., where he was an Executive Vice President in Hubbell Electrical Systems. He received an undergraduate degree in engineering from Case Western Reserve University, and completed classes toward an MBA in finance at Bradley University. He and his wife Patricia have two children, their daughter Brittany who lives in the Cleveland area, and their son Greg. Their daughter Brittany and son-in-law just delivered their first child, and Gary and Patricia are thrilled to be grandparents. Outside of Project 60 classes, Gary enjoys golf and down hill skiing. For many CSU students, the ability to complete their college degree often comes down to financial need. In order to apply for the Amato Family scholarship, applicants must complete a 500 word essay describing the challenges they face in completing their college education and a vision for what they will pursue with their degree. Senior Bryan Luton is one of the first students to receive The Amato Family College Completion Scholarship Fund for the academic year 19-20. Bryan is a nontraditional student majoring in Criminology. Bryan stated, “I am grateful for the scholarship which allows me to take more classes so I can graduate in spring 2020 and begin work in my field of study.” Dr. Allyson Robichaud, CLASS Interim Dean, noted: "Gary and Patricia Amato’s gift provides the kind of crucial financial support some of our students need in order to realize their goal of completing their degree. Insuring that good students with a bright future ahead of them do not miss out, due to circumstances beyond their control, is amazing. Gary and Patricia’s considerate generosity is truly appreciated.”
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WE NEED YOUR HELP! Join the university on February 12, 2020, for the 24hour challenge called Giving Day. Throughout Cleveland State's annual Giving Day, participants can make a gift, spread the word to support CSU, and win prizes.
2.12.2020
This campaign uses crowdfunding, email marketing, and a robust social media presence to reach donors. "Social Ambassadors" who help spread the word will be rewarded with prizes and incentives. CSU's Advancement office will provide participants with the tools needed to promote the online initiative and raise funds through social networks. Please help spread the word about CSU's annual Giving Day—February 12, 2020. Be the reason for student success! To learn more about this fundraising campaign, please visit csugivingday.com.