Cleveland State Magazine - Fall 2016/Winter 2017

CLEVELAND STATE MAGAZINE Fall 2016/ Winter 2017

t n e d u St ! s s e c Suc Something to Cheer About P 8

Lights,Cameras, Cleveland State P 15 CSU Helps Cleveland Shine During RNC P 18

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Cleveland State Magazine EDITOR/WRITER Barbara Chudzik CONTRIBUTORS Cindi Deutschman-Ruiz William Dube Anthony Fossaceca John Soeder Christian Taske GRAPHIC DESIGN Ivy Garrigan PHOTOGRAPHY Brian Hart William Rieter Jack Tibbitts ILLUSTRATION Rob Dobi Sergio Membrillas PRESIDENT Ronald M. Berkman PROVOST Jianping Zhu VICE PRESIDENT, UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CSU FOUNDATION Berinthia R. LeVine ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT, MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS Rob Spademan ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT, ALUMNI RELATIONS Brian Breittholz Contact Us 216-687-2201 csuohio.edu/magazine 2121 Euclid Avenue UN 501 Cleveland, Ohio 44115-2214 Postmaster Send address changes to Cleveland State University Division of University Advancement 2121 Euclid Ave, UN 501 Cleveland, Ohio 44115-2214 Cleveland State University is an AA/EO institution. Copyright © 2016 CSU University Marketing.

Cleveland State Magazine is for alumni and friends of CSU and is published by the Division of University Advancement, located in the Union Building, 2121 Euclid Ave., RM 501, Cleveland, Ohio 44115. Third-class postage is paid at Cleveland, Ohio.

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CONTENTS

Destination CSU Success initiatives boost enrollment, retention and graduation

8

The Recipe for Student Success

10

Welcome, Deans

14

Lights, Cameras, Cleveland State!

15

Thank You for Your Service

16

CSU Helps Cleveland Shine During RNC

18

Women’s Leadership Symposium

22

University is the choice for successful students New leadership joins three Colleges Film school will be a first in Ohio

Research aids veterans and their caregivers Campus and alumni share in city’s bright moment Be Amazing event inspires and renews

D E PA R T M E N T S

President’s Message

1

Around Campus

4

Class Notes

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THANKS FOR YOUR INPUT Thanks to everyone who responded to our Cleveland State magazine reader survey. We’re happy to know you like what you’re reading. Your feedback and suggestions are helping to make the magazine even better.

In fact, this issue of Cleveland State sports a new graphic look — in part, because of you! We promise to continue working to produce University communications, including the magazine, that meet your expectations.

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

While we’re proud of CSU’s growing and glowing reputation, the ultimate measure of the University’s success remains student success.

When I look at Cleveland State, I see a University where Engaged Learning is redefining higher education for the 21st century.

And people are taking notice.

This semester, we welcomed the largest freshman class in our history — more than 1,900 students.

We also welcomed 73 new members to our outstanding faculty — men and women who firmly believe CSU is a career-enhancer.

Cleveland State is again one of fewer than 300 institutions on the latest U.S. News & World Report “Best National Universities” list.

And more than a dozen of our programs are featured in the recent U.S. News Best Graduate Schools guide.

While we’re proud of CSU’s growing and glowing reputation, the ultimate measure of the University’s success remains student success.

ENGAGE: The Campaign for Cleveland State University has raised nearly $92 million of its $100 million goal to support student success through scholarships, mentoring, experiential learning, internships and other initiatives. Radiance has raised $4.8 million over five years, providing some 1,500 scholarships to students who need just a bit of financial help to get them over the finish line to graduation.

With innovations such as multi-term registration and demand-driven enrollment, we’ve dedicated ourselves to helping students save time and money while earning degrees that prepare them for career success. In turn, we’ve seen dramatic increases in retention and graduation rates.

Our efforts to improve affordability and degree attainment will help ensure a larger pool of qualified graduates to meet the state’s workforce needs.

That’s good news for Ohio, which faces a severe talent gap that threatens economic competitiveness and growth.

By 2020, 65 percent of all jobs will require postsecondary education.

Yet less than 40 percent of Ohio’s current workforce has an associate’s degree or higher.

While this talent gap looms, concerns about college affordability persist, amid declining financial

aid. Ohio ranks 45 out of 50 states for college affordability, based on the percentage of family income needed to pay for college. Ohio also falls well below the national average for state funding per student.

Closing the talent gap and funding higher education must become priorities for Ohio. State investment is critical if Ohio is to maintain one of the finest public university systems in the nation.

This summer, I began serving a two-year term as chair of the Inter-University Council of Ohio, a consortium of the state’s public universities. As chair, I will strongly advocate for increased state support for higher education and collaborate with my fellow university presidents to better inform our state leaders and the general public about the value of a college education as an engine for economic growth.

The message is clear. Higher education is a sound, essential, highvalue investment — an investment that pays substantial economic and noneconomic dividends to individuals and the state.

Ronald M. Berkman PRESIDENT

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O Hail the Green and White It rained on our parade.

But the storms that swept through downtown Cleveland didn’t dampen our Homecoming spirits.

Homecoming 2016 brought hundreds of alumni back to campus to celebrate CSU. And while rain forced the cancellation of the popular “people-powered” parade, students and alums still partied the night away at Vikefest, enjoying music, games, food and lots of fun.

From the Distinguished Alumni Awards to reunions, lectures, tours, open houses, a splash bash and sporting events, Homecoming’s 30-plus activities offered something for everyone.

Most importantly, it provided an opportunity for grads young and not so young to experience CSU today, connect with fellow classmates and faculty, and show their Viking pride. We hope you were among those who joined in the festivities.

For more photos, visit csualumni.com

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AROUND CAMPUS CAN YOU DIG IT? The Chester Building has been razed and the official groundbreaking ceremony was held for a new Washkewicz College of Engineering.

Construction is now underway. Along with cutting-edge laboratories and learning spaces, the new building, scheduled to open next year, will provide a beautiful northern entrance point to campus along Chester Avenue.

CSU Among Best in the Nation Cleveland State University again is among the best colleges and universities in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report.

And in a separate U.S. News ranking, CSU’s graduate programs also excel.

For its 2017 Best Colleges guide, U.S. News looked at nearly 1,600 four-year colleges and universities. CSU is one of only 298 institutions named in the “Best National Universities” category.

The rankings are based on several factors, including retention and graduation rates, student selectivity, faculty resources and assessments by academic peers and high school guidance counselors.

“CSU has taken significant steps to enhance academic quality, student

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success and research productivity, and it is extremely gratifying that our efforts continue to be recognized by our peers and by U.S. News,” says President Ronald M. Berkman. “This is yet another indication that our efforts and innovations are having a positive impact for our students.”

Meanwhile, the 2017 edition of the U.S. News Best Graduate Schools guide features over a dozen CSU programs in a wide variety of disciplines, from law and public affairs to physical therapy and nursing.

Cleveland-Marshall College of Law rose 21 spots in the law school rankings, placing it 106th among more than 200 law schools in the country. This marks the highest U.S. News & World Report ranking in the school’s history. C|M|LAW’s parttime law program was ranked 38th nationally and number one in Ohio.

The Maxine Goodman Levin

College of Urban Affairs was ranked 45th in the nation out of 270 graduate programs in public affairs.

In addition, its city management and urban policy program ranked seventh nationally and was the only program in Ohio to be recognized

by U.S. News. The College was also ranked 17th in nonprofit management.

Multiple graduate programs in the College of Sciences and Health Professions were also featured in the graduate rankings. These included occupational therapy, ranked 58th nationally, as well as the physician assistant program, physical therapy and speech language pathology. In addition, the College of Education and Human Services ranked eighth in Ohio out of 52 graduate education programs. The School of Nursing and the School of Social Work were also listed among the best graduate schools in their respective fields.

Face-off! Lacrosse comes to CSU The newest addition to the Department of Athletics is men’s lacrosse. The sport is the fastest growing in the nation among high school student-athletes, and CSU head coach Dylan Sheridan used the 2015-16 year to build his program.

Sheridan and his coaching staff currently feature a 34-player roster, which represents 17 states and Canada.

Student-athletes have come from as far away as California, Colorado, Florida, Minnesota and Nevada, allowing CSU to build a national profile in the student body.

“I was instantly struck by the vibrancy of the University when I stepped onto campus,” Sheridan said. “It’s my goal for the lacrosse program to reflect Cleveland State, both in our play and in our service to the community. I could not be more excited to be at CSU and grow the sport at its highest level.”

The lacrosse team will play its first-ever game on Saturday, Feb. 4, at 7 p.m. against the University of Michigan under the Krenzler Field dome.

The complete schedule, roster and ticket information can be found at CSUVikings.com.

CSU is also adding women’s track and field to its athletics roster. Head coach Madeleine Outman says she is looking forward to building a successful program to provide competitive opportunities for women.

Mark your calendar!

The first lacrosse game is February 4, 2017. Purchase tickets online at csuvikings.com.

The CSU lacrosse team will be the second NCAA Division I program in Ohio, joining The Ohio State University.

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AROUND CAMPUS

SHAJUANA GASTON is a 17-yearDaryl and Jenniffer Deckard; Barbara and Frank Sullivan

Sullivan-Deckard Foster Program Lauded Cleveland State was one of just nine colleges and universities nationwide honored by University Business magazine with a 2016 Models of Excellence award, which recognizes innovative approaches to encouraging and nurturing student success.

CSU was saluted for its SullivanDeckard Scholars Opportunity Program, which provides financial support, mentoring, and Engaged Learning experiences specifically targeted for students aging out of foster care to assist them in succeeding at the university level.

At age 18, foster youth emancipate or “age out” of the system and must fend for themselves. National studies have estimated that fewer than half of foster youth apply to college and less than 10 percent of those graduate.

ANTHONY DIAZ, 18, is a SullivanDeckard Scholar.

A freshman majoring in nursing, he hopes for a career as a psychiatric nurse working with troubled teens in a hospital setting.

“I have been in and out of foster care since I was around 10 years old and I have lived with more than eight families,” he says. “The SullivanDeckard program is providing me with a sense of ‘Yes, I can do it!’ and opportunities for work experience and

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informational interviews, workshops on presenting myself and outreach to nursing professionals and mentors.”

Charleyse Pratt, assistant vice president for inclusion and multicultural engagement at CSU, notes that “foster children are one of the more at-risk populations in society and one of the least likely groups to earn a college degree. This initiative is one of the first of its kind to provide a holistic system of support for foster children — financial, educational and cultural — to assist them in transitioning out of the system and into an institution of higher learning with the ultimate goal of completing their degree.”

The Sullivan-Deckard program identifies students while still in high school and provides support through the college application process. Once admitted and enrolled, students receive free, year-round housing and money for tuition and books, workstudy employment and academic support, including tutoring, coaching, advising, mentoring and peer support.

The program was created in 2015 through a $2.3 million combined gift from Frank and Barbara Sullivan and Jenniffer and Daryl Deckard. The program welcomed its second cohort of eight students this fall, who joined seven other Sullivan-Deckard Scholars who are in their second year at CSU.

old freshman, majoring in social work.

After earning her degree, she hopes to open a group home/resource center for children in foster care. “The Sullivan-Deckard program is helping me achieve my dreams. I have matured as a person, become a better student and strive for greatness in everything I do, thanks to the support and resources provided by the program.”

ANTONIO LEVERT is a 20-year-old sophomore, majoring in health sciences/pre-med. He hopes to become a physician. “SullivanDeckard has given me a start to a bright future. This program not only allows me to earn a bachelor’s degree, it gives me a chance to prove to others that success is possible despite the circumstances.”

MARYANN DOWDELL, a member of the first Sullivan-Deckard cohort, is a 20-year-old sophomore. She is majoring in English on a creative writing track and aspires to teach literature and writing to inner-city high school students. “Sullivan-Deckard staff guide me through academic challenges such as study habits, time management and tutoring, and also offer opportunities to network within my field. By the time I graduate, I anticipate being ready for graduate school through the mentoring of this scholarship program.”

73 New Members Boost Expertise of Strong Faculty This fall, CSU welcomed 73 new faculty members, many of whom come from flagship Association of American Universities (AAU) institutions, including Brown University, Penn State, the University of Missouri, the University of Virginia and The Ohio State University.

The group includes 47 tenure/ tenure track faculty – by far the largest number to join Cleveland State in recent memory.

For Janine L. Spears, associate professor of information systems, the move to Cleveland was a return to her hometown.

“While on faculty at DePaul University in Chicago, I would visit Cleveland a few times each year and couldn’t help but notice the transformation of the Cleveland State campus. CSU’s emphasis on Engaged Learning really resonates with me and I’m finding students who demonstrate a genuine interest in learning. What a great time to join Cleveland State,” she says.

Beth Domholdt, professor and director, School of Health Sciences, has lived in Indiana and Minnesota for the past 40 years and was eager to return to the region where she

grew up and still has family.

“Cleveland is such a great health care town, and this position gives me a chance to work with colleagues at CSU and in greater Cleveland to educate the next generation of health providers. The faculty and staff within the School of Health Sciences are fabulous — interesting people who are engaged in their teaching and research and deeply invested in the success of their students,” she says.

For Anne Barry, assistant professor of art, “coming to CSU has been an overwhelmingly positive experience.

The University’s location in downtown Cleveland was certainly a draw; now that I’m here, I’m developing an even deeper appreciation for what it means to be part of an urban campus. I’m inspired by the diverse perspectives of the students I work with, grateful for the support my colleagues have shown me and excited about the opportunities that lie ahead.”

The new faculty “clearly show the high regard in which Cleveland State is held,” notes Provost Jianping Zhu. “That so many faculty have chosen Cleveland State to further their teaching and research pursuits speaks volumes about the opportunities for professional growth available here. Their fresh perspectives and wealth of experience bolster our already strong faculty and enrich the campus and the Engaged Learning experience for students.”

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F E AT U R E

Student Success Initiatives Drive CSU Growth and Recognition In an era where barely half of the nation’s college students obtain a degree within six years, Cleveland State is all about student success — and innovative ways to help them graduate on time and with as little debt as possible. And students are responding in record numbers.

Bucking national trends, CSU welcomed more than 1,900 first-year students to campus fall semester — the largest freshman class in the University’s history and a five percent increase over

2015. Freshman enrollment has more than doubled since 2006.

In addition, CSU saw increases in both the number of returning students and the number of credit hours taken, indicating positive movement both for retention and graduation rates.

“Our continued increases in freshman enrollment illustrate CSU’s position as a top destination in Northeast Ohio for higher education,” says Cindy Skaruppa, vice president for enrollment services.

Urban setting and affordability are

“I am a big fan of our degree audit system because it has helped me map out my entire undergrad career.”

— MA’TAYA HAMMOND, JUNIOR

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key reasons that students choose CSU. Also ranking high is CSU’s Engaged Learning experience, which links classroom instruction with experiential learning and career opportunities through business and community partnerships.

Perhaps most importantly, CSU has placed a priority on student success — developing an impressive range of initiatives over the last five years specifically designed to help students graduate on time and with less debt. These initiatives include:

Multi-Term Registration

CSU was the first state university in Ohio — and one of the first in the nation — to offer this option, which enables students to plan their entire academic year in advance.

CSU Destination

“Advisors helped me choose the proper courses for the year and multi-term registration took the hassle and stress out of securing a spot in those classes. The tuition band has allowed me to take six classes for the price of four and graduate on time and at half the cost of other local colleges.”

— MICHAEL NOWOSLAWSKI, SENIOR

Demand-Driven Enrollment

Radiance Scholarships

120-Credit-Hour Standard

Last Mile

Students can request enrollment in courses at full capacity by using an online waiting list. This also enables academic departments to track demand and open additional class sections as needed.

CSU reduced and standardized the number of credit hours needed to complete most baccalaureate degree programs, enabling students to graduate in less time, with less debt.

Community College Degree Acceptance

Students holding an associate degree from Tri-C, Lakeland or Lorain are guaranteed placement in their degree program at CSU. This accelerates the path to degree completion for transfer students.

Assertive Advising

Faculty and staff keep a close watch on the progress of individual students, particularly first-year students, and provide personalized support as needed to help them succeed.

Radiance provides “last dollars” for students who are at risk of dropping out of school because of a shortage of funds.

Since its inception in 2011, Radiance has raised $4.8 million and provided approximately 1,500 scholarships.

CSU was awarded a $50,000 pilot grant from the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities and the Coalition of Urban Serving Universities to create Last Mile, which provides funds to senior students who have maxed out of financial aid so they are able to complete their degrees.

With these and other initiatives, four-year graduation rates have doubled over the last five years.

Innovative student success initiatives also have brought CSU national recognition, including the 2015 Excellence and Innovation Award from the American Association of State Colleges and Universities and positive media attention from CNN, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Bloomberg Business and others.

In addition, the influential Brookings Institution named CSU in the top three of Ohio’s four-year public universities for “value-added” to earning power. According to Brookings, CSU graduates have mid-career salaries that are more than $10,000 higher than graduates from similar schools.

CSU is one of five national finalists for the 2016 Project Degree Completion Award from the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities.

The award recognizes public universities across the country that employ innovative approaches to improve retention and degree completion and includes a $15,000 prize to further efforts to improve student outcomes.

CSU students are ranked among the smartest in Ohio, according to a report by the online college guide Niche. The report ranks universities based on SAT/ACT data and peer reviews. CSU finished sixth among public universities in the state.

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F E AT U R E

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Future focused AND fully engaged

The Recipe

Student Success

Sleep, Shmeep; there's stuff to be done Enrolling truly phenomenal students

Enroll Phenomenal Students and Put Their Needs First Donnetta Monk

grew up surrounded by poverty. Few people in her Cleveland neighborhood had been to college, and most “had to work day and night just to provide food on the table,” she says.

She knew from a young age that she wanted to help herself and her community. She wanted to go to college, make something of herself and set an example for generations to come.

Now a sophomore English major at Cleveland State, Donnetta maintains a high standard of academic success, and in so doing, she is beating the odds.

Donnetta is the first in her family to get a higher education. Research has shown that first-generation students are less likely to complete their education than students who have at least one parent who went to college.

At Cleveland State, Donnetta has gotten the added support she has needed to succeed. She credits CSU’s TRIO program, which serves first-generation college students, as having helped put her on track to graduate,

Going Places and Serving Others Putting Those students first

while allowing her to thrive in ways she could never have predicted.

These days, in addition to her academic achievements, she is a student leader and a mentor to students who come from similar circumstances.

While Donnetta’s success is uniquely her own story, it’s one among countless tales of CSU students who are achieving remarkable things.

Future focused AND fully engaged

ILLUSTRATIONS BY ROB DOBI

CSU senior Paul All is passionate about his purpose and his pursuits.

He loves policy and bipartisanship, and just getting things done. But he wasn’t always this driven.

The finance major (international business minor) started college in Texas, where he played Division III basketball and didn’t care much for (or about) school. Wanting to play Division I, Paul researched his options and visited CSU, where “something just clicked,” he says.

He calls Cleveland State “a hidden gem,” his personal second chance, an opportunity to be more involved on campus and in the larger community.

Sleep, Shmeep; there's stuff to be done Enrolling truly phenomenal students

Enroll Phenomenal Students and Put Their Needs First

As president of the 1964 Society (the student alumni association), president of Sigma Phi Epsilon and a student representative to CSU’s Board of Trustees, he has had many opportunities to help move the ball forward for his fellow students and the University.

Paul cites his work with the Board of Trustees as one of his biggest accomplishments.

“I’ve been able to sit at the table with the governing body of Cleveland State, making decisions that affect students, faculty and even the community of Cleveland. I’ve learned how to step back and make tough decisions, and have had the opportunity to voice the needs of students,” he says.

Paul is as outspoken in his appreciation of Cleveland State as he is about supporting his fellow students.

He is a fan of CSU’s urban location and its proximity to major businesses and industry. He appreciates the networking opportunities and connections he’s made with CSU alumni through the 1964 Society. And he’s passionate about the community service he’s been able to do through his fraternity.

And he’s far from the only dynamo on campus.

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Going Places and Serving Others

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fully engaged F E AT U R E

Enroll Phenomenal Students and Put Their Needs First

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

Sleep, Shmeep; there's stuff to be done Lina Billings is a go-getter.

The junior speech and hearing major is double minoring in psychology and linguistics, while holding down multiple jobs across campus.

Lina works at the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Honors College and at the Recreation Center, where she does administrative tasks and teaches Pink Gloves Boxing.

She sits on the executive board of the Campus Activities Board (CAB), a job that requires a 10-hour weekly minimum commitment, but often involves twice that much time or more.

Last year, as CAB’s inaugural diversity chair, she first had to figure out exactly what a diversity chair should do. “It was scary; there was nothing to go off of, but it was needed and turned out to be very successful,” she says. CAB helped put on a range of cultural events involving food, games, music and dancing, in addition to a diversity fashion show, and a National Coming Out Day awareness event, in which students shared powerful stories about embracing their true identities.

It’s hard to imagine anyone giving more of herself in support of others and the campus community, but Lina says she gets plenty of support from CSU as well. She says the oneto-one tutoring available at CSU’s Tutoring and Academic Support Center has been very helpful.

“I have speech and hearing classes that are really tough, so I go to tutoring weekly and I got all A’s in those courses,” she says.

Of course, CSU doesn’t only provide on-campus opportunities that help students get the most of their college experience. Some CSU programs get students off campus, and into all kinds of learning adventures.

Enrolling truly phenomenal students

Enroll Phenomenal Students and Put Their Needs First Going Places and Serving Others Putting Those students first

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Going Places and Serving Others Amanda Pacanovsky

Putting Those students first

is a sophomore education major who loves to travel — and to give back to the community.

This is a good combination of traits at Cleveland State, where the Viking Expeditions program rewards students who do service projects by giving them very low-cost opportunities to see other parts of the country and the world.

To participate, students first volunteer locally for any of the organizations that partner with Viking Expeditions, among them: Wigs for Kids, Lakeside Men’s Shelter, the Greater Cleveland Food Bank and Habitat for Humanity.

Amanda got involved with Viking Expeditions right after freshman orientation.

She has traveled to Oak Ridge, Tenn.; Williamsburg, Va.; and New Orleans, her favorite destination.

“I loved working with the community because of their persistence and determination to recover from Hurricane Katrina,” she says.

“Volunteering in the Lower Ninth Ward was an eye-opening experience. Almost 11 years later, you could still witness the devastation of abandoned homes from flooding. The most rewarding aspect of the trip was working with a different affiliate every day, while building lifelong friendships,” she adds.

Future focused AND fully engaged

Sleep, Shmeep; there's stuff to be done Enrolling truly phenomenal students

It is worth noting that, without hearing any of these remarkable stories, CSU’s relatively new vice president for enrollment services, Cindy Skaruppa, already had all the information she needed about the caliber of CSU students.

In just one year, Dr. Skaruppa has met hundreds of “graduate and under-

Enroll Phenomenal Students and Put Their Needs First Going Places and Serving Others

graduate students, leaders, tour guides and research assistants,” and has come to one inescapable conclusion: CSU students “are just truly phenomenal.

“They are serious about their studies; they are committed to diversity. They are also passionate, not just about the campus community, but about opportunities for service to enrich the Greater Cleveland community,” she says.

That Cleveland State boasts students of such character and determination is no accident, Dr. Skaruppa believes.

CSU recruiters look for prospective students with the greatest chance of success, those who already participate in Engaged Learning, and in classroom, service learning, and co-curricular activities, so they are prepared to take full advantage of all CSU has to offer.

Future focused AND fully engaged Sleep, Shmeep; there's stuff to be done Enrolling truly phenomenal students Enroll Phenomenal Students and Put Their Needs First Going Places and Serving Others Still, even the best, most engaged, most committed students may falter if not provided with appropriate opportunities and support.

So, the final piece of the student success puzzle, according to Boyd Yarbrough, vice president of student affairs, is the philosophy of Students First, which he says guides every effort the University makes “to help students achieve their full potential in and out of the classroom.”

Dr. Yarbrough takes particular

Putting Those students first

pride in two programs.

One is a “newly energized” Veterans Student Success Program that provides support and wraparound services targeted to veterans’ unique needs, and has earned national recognition for excellence.

Another is Lift Up Vikes, now in its second year, which serves Cleveland State students who face hunger, lack affordable housing or need help buying textbooks.

These programs are notable for the particular vulnerabilities of the populations they serve, but they are

part of Cleveland State’s overarching commitment to serving the needs of all students, a commitment Dr. Yarbrough says students clearly value.

“Whether they’re starting at Cleveland State, or transferring from other institutions, students are immensely appreciative of the support and opportunity we provide for their academic success, as well as their success outside of the classroom,” he notes.

CINDI DEUTSCHMAN-RUIZ is a freelance writer who also teaches courses in communication at several institutions around Cleveland.

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F E AT U R E

Deans bring expertise to Colleges THREE STANDOUTS IN THEIR RESPECTIVE FIELDS HAVE JOINED THE CSU ACADEMIC LEADERSHIP TEAM

Roland V. Anglin

Timothy M. Gaspar

Lee Fisher

MAXINE GOODMAN LEVIN COLLEGE OF URBAN AFFAIRS

SCHOOL OF NURSING

CLEVELAND-MARSHALL COLLEGE OF LAW

Dr. Anglin is a widely recognized and highly respected authority on community economic Dr. Anglin is an development. avid science Most recently, he fiction fan. served as senior advisor to the chancellor and director of the Joseph C. Cornwall Center for Metropolitan Studies at Rutgers University-Newark. In the latter position, he managed the Newark City of Learning Collaborative, an initiative designed to increase higher education attainment rates.

As the founding executive director of the Initiative for Regional and Community Transformation in the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University-New Brunswick, he led the creation of a network of local, regional and national foundations to assist in the recovery of the Gulf Coast region after the 2005 hurricanes.

Dr. Anglin also has served as senior vice president for the Structured Employment Economic Development Corporation.

He holds a Ph.D. in political science from the University of Chicago.

Dr. Gaspar has 35 years of experience as a faculty member, department chair and dean. He served as dean at the College of Nursing at the University of Toledo from 2008-2015 and at the College of Nursing and Health Sciences at Winona State University in Minnesota from 1995-2008, and as department head of undergraduate nursing at South Dakota State University from 1990-1995.

An expert in nursing education, research and health policy, he has worked in partnership with and advised a wide range of organizations.

Dr. Gaspar received his Ph.D. in nursing from the University of Utah.

A registered nurse, he has provided care for individuals, families and communities Dr. Gaspar grew through EMS systems, up on a farm in hospital-based South Dakota, medical-surgicaring for animals, driving cal patient care units, intensive 18-wheelers care units, high and operating risk perinatal John Deere nursing and equipment. flight nursing.

Fisher brings a record of distinguished public and community service to Interim Dean his role as Fisher competed interim dean in national and visiting tournaments as professor. an intramural He served Frisbee player as Ohio’s during his attorney undergrad general from days at Oberlin 1991-1995 and College. lieutenant governor from 2007-2011. He also spent eight years as a state senator and two years as a state representative.

Additionally, he has decades of experience in legal practice, most extensively with Cleveland-based Hahn Loeser & Parks as of counsel from 1978-1990 and partner from 1995-1999. Most recently he served as president of CEOs for Cities.

A senior fellow with the Center for Economic Development at Levin College, he also served as director of the Ohio Department of Development and president and CEO of the Center for Families and Children.

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Lights, Cameras,

From Captain America and the Avengers to Ralphie, the Old Man and a pitcher known as Wild Thing . . . Cleveland has long been a fertile filming ground for the motion picture industry. And now Cleveland State is poised to become a lead actor in future productions.

Realizing that a growing industry needs a growing talent pool from which to draw, President Ronald M. Berkman and Ivan Schwarz, president and CEO of the Greater Cleveland Film Commission, convinced leaders in the Ohio state legislature to allocate $7.5 million to CSU to create a new stand-alone School of Film, Television and Interactive Media in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS.) CSU will be the first university in Ohio – and one of the few between the east and west coasts – with such a school, which will be built upon the current program in film, television and interactive media, housed in

the School of Communication. That program, founded in 2006, enrolls 205 majors, making it the second-largest undergraduate program in the College and providing a healthy foundation upon which to build a new school for an even larger program.

The project includes construction of a new facility to enable the growing population of film students to continue learning about the industry and gaining hands-on experience.

“Our goal is not merely to prepare our students to work in today’s exciting moving image industries of film, television and interactive media but to give them the tools to be successful in these fields as they transform over the next five or 10 years,” says Evan Lieberman, CSU’s director of film, television and interactive media.

“We look forward to working closely with the Film Commission and other partners in the community to create a unique opportunity for our students to make a smooth

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Cleveland State

Until recently, the Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit stood at $20 million. According to a CSU economic impact study, since 2011 this tax credit has created the equivalent of 1,729 full-time jobs, more than $400 million in total economic impact and a return on investment of $2.01 for every $1 spent. More than 65 productions have been shot in Northeast Ohio since 2009, and 71 percent of all Ohio production dollars within the last two years were spent in Northeast Ohio.

This spring, the Ohio state legislature increased the film industry tax credit program to $40 million, which will likely grow the already significant presence of the film industry in Northeast Ohio. Next year, the Film Commission’s Ivan Schwarz hopes to convince the legislature to raise the tax credit to $75 million.

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Research Aids Veterans, Caregivers CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

transition from the classroom to the movie set, television studio, editing room and creative offices.”

Alita Petras, founder and president of the Cinematic Student Union, says students are excited about the new film school.

“With Cleveland becoming such a prominent city for big budget movie productions, this is the perfect time for CSU to emerge with a program to develop filmmakers

to eventually work on these studio projects. I’m looking forward to the new partnerships the film school will provide for current students and the job opportunities it will bring for graduates. The school will put Cleveland State on the map for film,” she says.

Over the summer, President Berkman, the Film Commission’s Schwarz and Greg Sadlek, CLASS dean, visited film schools at the University of Southern California and at Chapman University and met with Robert Bassett, founding dean who built the Dodge College of Film and Media Arts at Chapman from the ground up. Bassett also visited CSU to assess resources, meet with students and offer input on the new school.

Among the first decisions to be made is where to build the school.

University officials are considering space in Playhouse Square as well as on campus.

“With the solid growth of the film industry in Northeast Ohio, this school may just make it possible for CSU to become the most important — EVAN LIEBERMAN film program in the Midwest,” notes Dean Sadlek.

“Our goal is not merely to prepare our students to work in today’s exciting moving image industries ... but to give them the tools to be successful in these fields as they transform over the next five or 10 years.”

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Life can change in a second when stroke or a traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs – for both patients and their caregivers.

That’s why Katherine Judge, associate professor of psychology, is partnering with the Veterans Health Administration to implement and test a non-pharmacological, psychosocial intervention for veterans with stroke or TBI and their family caregivers.

TBI, a blunt force trauma to the head that causes severe mental and physical impairment including dementia-like symptoms, affects two to four million people annually and is the leading cause of death and disability in war zones. Stroke affects a huge population as well. And while stroke is generally thought of as an older person’s affliction, TBI often affects younger people who, while trying to recuperate, must also deal with employment, school and family issues.

While the effects of both stroke and TBI may be permanent, Dr. Judge’s novel therapeutic approach is designed to greatly improve a wide range of outcomes as well as quality of life. Her research seeks to address common psychological symptoms associated with patients and their caregivers, including embarrassment, isolation and depression, while also providing everyday, counseling-based tools and exercises that can assist in improving cognitive function and memory.

“A key factor in the overall medical health of TBI and stroke patients is the community supporting them,” Dr. Judge says. “By addressing the needs

ILLUSTRATION BY SERGIO MEMBRILLAS

of both the patient and their caregiver, we can improve their overall functioning, decrease carerelated psychological side effects and strengthen the overall quality of life for patients and caregivers.”

Dr. Judge is collaborating with Virginia Daggett, a nurse researcher, at the VA Center for Applied Systems Engineering and Research & Development at the Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center in Indianapolis.

The four-year project, called ANSWERS-VA, is funded through the VA’s Health Services Research and Development Nursing Research Initiative (grant #NRI 12-415).

To date, 88 subjects have been enrolled — veterans who are being treated for TBI or stroke at VA medical centers in Indianapolis and Houston and their family caregivers.

Helping to make this random-controlled trial unique is that all health care is delivered via telephone by intervention specialists — highly trained graduate students from disciplines such as psychology, social work and speech-language pathology.

For 60 to 90 minutes per weekly (or less often) conference call, patients and caregivers are provided educational information on everything from effective communication and being cognitively engaged to maintaining hobbies and dealing with emotions.

The initiative is based on a long-term rehabilitation research initiative, called Acquiring New Skills While

Enhancing Remaining Strengths (ANSWERS), which Dr. Judge initially developed and implemented with dementia patients and their family caregivers in the Northeast Ohio area.

“There are many similarities between the symptoms experienced by dementia patients and those who have suffered stroke or TBI and similar side effects for their respective caregivers as well,” she notes. “By utilizing therapies that have been proven to work with dementia patients, we ultimately hope to create best practice models that can be utilized as part of overall treatment for TBI and stroke.”

ANSWERS-VA is based on the strengths of patients and their care partners as they learn new knowledge and strategies to manage care, accept new roles and increase leisure activities.

“We all have strengths,” notes Dr. Judge. “This intervention helps veterans and caregivers find their strengths after a debilitating event and gives them a core set of techniques and skills to cope.”

VISIT CSUOHIO.EDU/RESEARCH TO READ OUR NEW MAGAZINE, @CSURESEARCH, AND LEARN MORE ABOUT RESEARCH AND SCHOLARSHIP AT CLEVELAND STATE.

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CSU helps Cleveland shine during RNC COMEBACK CITY. CHAMPIONSHIP CITY. OR AS WE LIKE TO CALL IT, OUR CAMPUS. Reminiscent of the Burma-Shave roadside ads of yesteryear, a series of three CSU billboards proudly bearing these messages popped up along I-77 in September. Like most of Northeast Ohio, we’re still basking in the glow of an unforgettable summer.

A historic Republican National Convention and the Cavaliers winning the city’s first professional sports title in 52 years (see page 36) drew unprecedented media attention that cast our resurgent metropolis in a new light.

CSU was part of the action from start to finish. During the RNC, classes were held online or off campus to make way for visitors, including some 700 law enforcement officers who were housed in our residence halls. We held several well-attended events on campus, including our very first salon-style TEDx event, which explored “21st Century Democracy.”

Our students, faculty and staff were interviewed by dozens of national and international media outlets, and

our social media channels enjoyed record-setting engagement.

To top it all off, during a live broadcast from East Fourth Street on the final day of the convention, NBC’s “Today” show featured Magnus, the CSU cheer team and Al Roker in a Viking helmet.

Many from CSU helped make it all happen, whether by volunteering or playing leadership roles behind the scenes.

TAKE A ROAD TRIP Have you seen these billboards on I-77?

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VOLUNTEERS HAVE A BALL The CSU Alumni Association coordinated more than 200 volunteer opportunities during RNC week. Here’s what some alums and students had to say about the once-in-a-lifetime experience.

“After serving as an intern with the RNC Committee on Arrangements, I was brought back as a full-time employee this summer. I worked on everything from credential checks to rounding up volunteers. During convention week, I was in charge of 50-plus volunteers who staffed VIP suites. I definitely caught the ‘convention bug’ and appreciated the skills I learned. There is a lot that goes on behind the scenes. I got to see so many prominent political figures and I sat on the floor with the delegates. It was an opportunity I will never forget.”

- PAUL ALL, STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE TO THE CSU BOARD OF TRUSTEES

“I enjoyed meeting some interesting people and seeing the activity in downtown Cleveland. It felt like Times Square in New York with all of the people, vendors and buskers on the streets. It was very exciting.”

- DENNIS WESSEL, BSME ‘72

“My favorite part about volunteering was serving in the heart of Quicken Loans Arena and experiencing the hustle and bustle of the convention itself. It was incredible to view the speakers, reporters and delegates from the stage firsthand, compared to the same images streaming live from the TV back at home.

As a young college student and a Clevelander, this is an experience I will never forget.”

- AMANDA PACANOVSKY, STUDENT

“I took time to walk around downtown, watching the demonstrators and talking to people. It really was a remarkably positive time.

The headline [from The Washington Post] that Cleveland was promised a riot and delivered a block party was spot on. I don’t think I’ve seen so many people gathered together who were generally of good will, including from and toward the police officers.”

- WENDY DEURING, MPA ‘97

“It was great to see all the out-of-town security teams.

My favorite sight was an officer from Texas doing an impromptu jam on the drums with a street band.”

“For three days, I checked credentials outside of the suites. Meeting people such as Sen. Bob Dole and Purple Heart recipient Marcus Luttrell and listening to unforgettable speeches by Gov. Chris Christie and Donald Trump Jr. are moments I’ll always remember.

Having the opportunity to be at the RNC was a oncein-a-lifetime moment.”

- KYLE GRAHAM, STUDENT

“Working the RNC was a surreal experience that taught me a lot about the political world. I am so fortunate to have had this opportunity through CSU. I am so proud to be a resident of Cleveland.”

- BRIANNA WEIR, STUDENT

- GAIL FISHER, BS’83/MBA’91 csuohio.edu

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Making it Happen

Many individuals with CSU connections played key roles in the collaborative effort to win the RNC and ensure a safe and successful convention. They included: Three-time CSU alumnus Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson, BA ’77/ MSUS ’79/JD ’83. Welcoming the delegates on opening day, he said, “Everything we have done to be successful, including winning the opportunity to host this convention, we’ve done together as a community.”

Diane Downing, member of the CSU Foundation Board of Directors. The chief operating officer of the Cleveland Host Committee was “on loan” from her job as senior vice president and regional manager of corporate affairs for Huntington Bank of Cleveland. The RNC, she says, was an opportunity “to dispel old myths about the city, show off the city as it is now, and set the stage for more development to come.”

Two-time alumna Valarie McCall, BA ’95/MPA ’97, chief of government/ international affairs for the city of Cleveland. She was a Host Committee member and the city’s point person for the RNC. Prepping for the big event and the convention itself was a “24/7, whatever is needed, get it done whatever it takes” effort, she says.

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Daniel Veloski, MA ’05, leads a team of 80 officers and is responsible for the safety of more than 43 million annual visitors as chief of rangers for the Cleveland Metroparks. For the RNC, the rangers, including their mounted unit, were an integral part of safety and security operations. “Professionally, it was a chance of a lifetime to be involved in something so significant,” he says.

Hannah Belsito, MUPDD ’11, is vice president of destination development and community affairs at Destination Cleveland. She was charged with creating an unforgettable visitor experience during the RNC. Among the tactics employed: • We The People, which featured photos of 50 everyday Clevelanders on street pole banners and LED boards • Large posters on buildings and windows, sharing little-known facts about Cleveland • A beautification effort that included three gardens, 135 planters and 1.4 million LED twinkle lights throughout downtown • Rock Box public art, which featured giant, bright loudspeakers playing music from Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees.

Mike Brickner, MA ’09, is the Ohio senior policy director for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). He had a lead role in overseeing the ACLU’s efforts during the RNC to protect free speech and the rights of protesters.

This included helping to staff the organization’s “war room,” where he and colleagues monitored protests as they developed, and the police response, to ensure that speech was not being repressed. He also spoke at a town hall meeting on voting rights held at CSU and hosted by alumna/ Congresswoman Marcia Fudge, JD ’83.

Media and Social Media Were Buzzing • Sirius XM interviewed President Ronald M. Berkman about the RNC’s impact on Cleveland.

Dr. Berkman also talked to the Hechinger Report about Donald Trump’s plan to base student loans on employability. And he did an interview with a TV crew from CP24 in Toronto.

• At the TEDxSalon, Interim Dean Lee Fisher did an interview with NET TV from New York City.

• Associate Professor Ed Horowitz spoke to television crews from Tunisia and Brazil.

CSU Events During RNC Week CSU hosted the inaugural stop of the touring graphic design exhibition Get Out the Vote, organized by AIGA, the professional association for design, in partnership with the League of Women Voters. The exhibition included more than 300 pieces.

• A crew from Attessia TV in Tunisia interviewed assistant professor Sarah Rutherford about the Get Out the Vote exhibit in the Galleries at CSU.

More than 600 students in grades 1 through 8 expressed their views on democracy and patriotism through artwork and essays submitted to the Red, Write & Blue Challenge.

Their works were displayed at various locations on campus. In addition, five students were chosen to say the Pledge of Allegiance on the convention floor to open the RNC’s Monday afternoon session. The Challenge was administered by CSU’s Center for Excellence and Innovation in Education and sponsored by the Republican Women’s Committee of Cuyahoga County.

• Richey Piiparinen of CSU’s Center for Population Dynamics talked with the BBC about Cleveland’s strengths and weaknesses.

Also tapping his expertise were USA Today, BillMoyers. com, Agence France-Presse and the U.K.’s Daily Mail.

Texas Congressman Michael McCaul, chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, delivered a keynote address at a Cybersecurity Forum co-hosted by CSU and Baldwin Wallace University.

• Associate Professor Debbie Jackson took part in a PBS NewsHour panel on Rethinking High School.

The Future of Democracy in the 21st Century was the topic of a TEDxClevelandStateUniversity Salon, featuring former elected officials, political activists and experts.

• CBS News interviewed Ohio City restaurateur and CSU alumnus Sam McNulty, BA ’97, for a segment on Cleveland’s comeback.

CSU and the American Sustainable Business Council hosted an interactive discussion, Conservative Thought and Sustainability.

An Opportunity, Poverty and National Policy discussion was sponsored by CSU’s Office of Civic Engagement, Policy Matters Ohio and Spotlight on Poverty and Opportunity.

• CNET plugged the Cleveland Historical app developed by CSU’s Center for Public History + Digital Humanities.

TO READ MORE ABOUT RNC WEEK AT CSU, VISIT STORIFY.COM/CLE_STATE/CLEVELAND-STATE-UNIVERSITY-IN-THE-NEWS-RNC-ED csuohio.edu

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Be Amazing Symposium is Amazing

Be Amazing . . . The Second Annual Women’s Leadership Symposium drew some 800 women (and a few men) to Cleveland’s Public Auditorium for a day of inspirational, thought-provoking talks; shared meals and conversations; and renewal of drive and spirit.

Collectively, guests and presenters represented a breadth and depth of talent and leadership that ranged from a woman running her own construction company to women thriving in the arts to entrepreneurs, lawyers, and authors.

Keynote speaker Rachel Talton

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Highlights included: •

•

A keynote address by alumna Rachel Talton, BA ’02/MBA ’04, describing the personal tragedy she overcame before starting her company, Flourish Leadership, as a “safe space where women could come together, be uplifted and not feel empty.”

A keynote address by Nancy Frates, “the mom behind the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge,” who shared a moving account of her 27-year-old son’s ALS diagnosis and how he chose to chronicle his illness to raise awareness of the degenerative disease. The Ice Bucket Challenge has raised more than $200 million for ALS research.

“He wakes up every morning and is proactive and positive. It’s a choice

we make every day,” Frates told a rapt audience. “Once you have hope, you’re going to get yourself to the finish line.”

•

Seven panels with 40 speakers; nine breakout sessions with 12 presenters; and an expo with representatives of some 50 organizations.

Dream Big, Seize the Moment and Believe in the Possibilities were the themes for programs ranging from “Beyond Rosie the Riveter” and “In the ‘C’ Suite” to “Emotionally Intelligent Leadership” and “Stay Out of Your Own Way.” In a breakout titled “Women in Retirement: Challenges and Opportunities,” Nan Cohen, CEO of Creekside Financial Advisors, talked about time, talent and treasure. “Success is dependent on how you respect and deploy your time . . . take your treasure and invest in your talent,” she said.

In a panel discussion titled “Business

101 for Lawyers,” Sonali Wilson, general counsel for CSU, referenced the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. when she said “In law, we are supposed to be the drum majors for justice, (yet) this is the profession that is behind all others in terms of diversity and justice.”

CSU alumna Shanette Buford Brazzell, BA ’13, manager of special events at United Way of Greater Cleveland, served on a panel titled “Women of Color: Aspiring and Inspiring.” She implored young women in the audience to “develop a quarterly list of goals, keep a journal and surround yourself with people who can uplift you daily.”

The symposium was co-sponsored

by CSU’s Alumni Association and Division of Student Affairs, the Ohio University Alumni Association, and OU’s alumnae group, ohiowomen.

Alumnae at both OU and CSU have expressed interest in leadership development and in networking across generations, notes Brian Breittholz, assistant vice president, alumni relations, and executive director, CSU Alumni Association, and Jennifer Neubauer, assistant vice president,

KEYNOTE SPEAKER NANCY FRATES discussed the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge and her son’s battle with the disease.

PARTICIPANTS POSTED INSPIRATIONAL WORDS THEY HEARD AND THEIR OWN REACTIONS THROUGHOUT THE DAY ON SOCIAL MEDIA. AMONG THE COMMENTS:

alumni relations, and executive director, OHIO Alumni Association.

“The offerings at the symposium went far past the traditional ‘You go girl’ fare that too many women’s conferences rely upon,” said Neubauer.

Instead, the symposium offered “smart, thought-provoking dialogue that addressed the challenges women face personally and professionally.”

Added Breittholz, “Cleveland State and Ohio University both have extraordinary alumnae and students engaged in many vibrant leadership roles in northeast Ohio. We were delighted to partner with OU on this extraordinary event.”

“It is always wonderful to be surrounded by women making a positive impact in their companies, community and world. I especially enjoyed the presentation on how gender stereotypes threaten women’s success and can lead us to self-sabotage.”

“Thanks for the most relevant women’s leadership conference to date in my professional career.”

“Thank you. This reenforced how many opportunities there are to make a difference.”

JOIN US for our 2017 Women’s Leadership Symposium on Wednesday, April 12, at Wolstein Center. Details will be posted at csualumni.com as they become available.

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ALUMNI FOCUS

The 26th annual Distinguished Alumni Awards, the jewel of Homecoming Week, honored 10 graduates who have proven themselves to be gems.

WITH THE BASKETBALL COURT AT WOLSTEIN CENTER TRANSFORMED INTO A SPARKLING BALLROOM, NEARLY 500 ALUMNI AND FRIENDS GATHERED TO PAY TRIBUTE TO THIS YEAR’S CLASS OF DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI WHO HAVE USED THEIR EDUCATION TO BETTER NORTHEAST OHIO AND THE WORLD. CONGRATULATIONS, 2016 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD RECIPIENTS. GEORGE B. DAVIS AWARD FOR SERVICE TO THE UNIVERSITY

Annette Garner Butler, JD ’70, has been Cleveland’s assistant director of law since 2014. She’s also been an Equal Opportunity Specialist for the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare’s Office of Civil Rights; an associate attorney with the law firm Guren, Merritt, Sogg and Cohen; an assistant U.S. attorney for 24 years; and a Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court judge. Butler was a member of the University’s Board of Trustees from 1982-1989, followed by 23 years as a member of the CSU Foundation Board of Directors. She remains active with the Foundation as an Emeritus Director.

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COLLEGE AWARDS Monte Ahuja College of Business David J. Fornari, BBA ’76 and MBA ’80, retired from Deloitte Consulting LLP after 31 years, including 22 years as an Energy Consulting Partner with 10 years as the Global or U.S. Energy and Resources Consulting Leader. As a Deloitte Eminence Fellow, he was a frequent speaker and author on energy and resources strategy and management.

College of Education and Human Services Zachary G. Green, MEd ’83, is a professor of practice and leadership studies at the University of San Diego, and an executive coach with the World Bank Group. A clinical psychologist, he specializes in systems analysis and strategy, organizational transformation, leadership development, and crisis intervention.

Washkewicz College of Engineering James D. Heckelman, BSEE ’62, is the founder of Dan-Mar Company, Inc. in Norwalk, Ohio.

As president and chief executive officer for over 40 years, he led the firm in developing custom electronic products for the medical, automotive, military and mining industries. He holds nine patents.

College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences Bonnie E. Raquet, MA ’73, served as Corporate Vice President, Corporate Affairs, at Cargill, Incorporated in Minneapolis from 2000 until her retirement in 2011. She led operations in 60-plus countries, including government relations, media, communications, brand management, marketing services and corporate responsibility. She joined Cargill in 1982.

School of Nursing Susan L. Tullai-McGuinness, BSN ’86 and MPA ’90, retired from Case Western Reserve University in 2013 as an associate professor but continues to teach there and at Breen School of Nursing at Ursuline College.

Her career includes working as a public health nurse, an administrator of the Visiting Nurse Association of Cleveland’s private duty program, and positions with University Hospitals’ Home Health Agency.

College of Sciences and Health Professions Ann M. Frangos, MS ’77, retired from AT&T as Assistant Vice President – Credit and Collections, where she was responsible for accounts receivable management for commercial accounts worldwide. She oversaw operations in seven call centers across the United States and in international centers in the United Kingdom, Hong Kong and India.

Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs Grace Gallucci, MSUS ’04, has been the executive director

of the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency since July 2012. Her career also includes 15 years with the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority, including five years as executive director, Office of Management and Budget.

Cleveland-Marshall College of Law Kenneth C. Ricci, JD ’86, is a principal of Directional Aviation Capital. He was named one the most influential people in aviation by Aviation International News and in 2015, received the Aviation Week Laureate Award, recognizing his innovation in aircraft remanufacturing.

Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Honors College Krista G. Freeman, BS ’11, is studying for a Ph.D. in physics at Carnegie Mellon University. Her interdisciplinary research in physical virology has brought her to laboratories in Sweden and Switzerland and to the 2015 Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting which brought together 70 Nobel Laureates with 672 young scientists from 88 countries.

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ALUMNI FOCUS

On the road again Visiting Cleveland-area landmarks . . . hosting fun-filled family outings . . . touring the world . . . connecting with grads across the country . . . the CSU Alumni Association’s calendar of events has something for everyone. We hope you were able to join us for some of these adventures:

Worth area. And in February, we’ll leave the Cleveland winter behind to host events throughout Florida, including The Villages, Sarasota and Fort Myers. If you live in those areas, please join us! Details will be posted at csualumni.com as they are finalized.

CHICAGO RECEPTION

These always popular excursions give alumni and friends a behind-the-scenes look at great local attractions. Recent sold-out Passports have included the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a boat trip on the Cuyahoga River, artistic gems of the Cuyahoga County Courthouse and an up-close look at the Browns during training camp. In December, we’ll attend a Cleveland Orchestra/ Pennsylvania Ballet performance of The Nutcracker at Playhouse Square.

Tom O’Toole, BA ’79/MA ’87 and 2013 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient, headed an alumni committee that hosted a reception at the Union League Club of Chicago. Among the many attendees was 90-year-old Jean Elsner, who has taken more than 100 courses (a record!) at CSU through Project 60, which enables seniors to attend classes at no charge. The former South Euclid resident with a passion for education now lives in the Chicago area.

In November, we’re hosting an alumni reception in the Dallas/Fort

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PASSPORT CLEVELAND

VIKING DAYS FOR VIKING FAMILIES

A Lake County Captains game and a visit to Progressive Field to watch the Indians take on the Chicago White Sox were just two of the events that brought alumni families together.

Have a recommendation for a future Passport or Viking Days for Viking Families event? Call 216-687-2078 or email h.mcnally@csuohio.edu

Corporate chapters engage alumni The Alumni Association welcomes American Greetings as its third corporate chapter. It joins the Forest City Enterprises chapter, which just celebrated its first anniversary, and Sherwin-Williams, which established a corporate chapter in 2014.

American Greetings, which recently moved its corporate offices from Brooklyn, Ohio to Crocker Park in Westlake, employs some 125 CSU alums. Forest City employs some 60 CSU graduates in Cleveland and nationwide, while Sherwin-Williams employs more than 650 alums.

The American Greetings chapter launched this summer with an alumni lunch at corporate headquarters.

Alums, who had been meeting independently under the leadership of Camille Davis, MBA ’15 and Kelli Snowgold, MBA ’12, were

presented with a plaque recognizing AG as an official chapter.

Chapter members recently toured the CSU campus; other events are being planned to promote networking and volunteerism that foster collegiality and strengthen alumni engagement.

Among the activities in its first year, Forest City held a celebrity happy hour at Lincoln Taphouse in Tower City with company executives serving as bartenders and all tips benefitting CSU’s Lift Up Vikes Food Pantry, which assists students in need.

“Community involvement is a core value of Forest City. CSU’s downtown campus is our community neighbor and the alumni chapter allows us to connect to the students and energy of the campus. The Forest City alumni chapter is very proud of CSU and its students’ accomplishments and

wants to help in any way we can to continue that success,” say Cathy Rodjom and Patricia Sweeney, Forest City alumni chapter co-leads.

Want to host a corporate breakfast with CSU alums or start a CSU alumni corporate chapter at your workplace? We’re happy to assist.

Contact Emily Cole at e.s.cole@ csuohio.edu or 216.523.7173.

The CSU Alumni Association also has constituent chapters – Black, Business, Diversity Management, Education, Engineering, Nursing and Urban alumni – that work on behalf of their members, the University and students. There also are outof-town chapters for alumni living in the Southwest, San Francisco/Bay Area and The Villages, Fla. For information on these chapters, or to establish a constituent or out-of-town chapter, contact Emily Cole at e.s.cole@csuohio.edu or 216.523.7173.

CSU’s man in Rio Wally Morton, who coached CSU swimming and diving for 39 seasons, was in Rio de Janeiro for the Summer Olympics along with his wife, Carol, a faculty member at Baldwin Wallace University. It was their 10th Olympic adventure.

“What attracts us to the Olympics is that it brings people from all over the world to celebrate in a peaceful way. We always love the culture of the host city and Rio was extraordinary. Everything about our experience was perfect,” he said.

The Mortons were hosted by former CSU swimmer Cristina Santoni and her husband, Djan Madruga, a 1980 Olympic medalist, member of the 2016 Olympic organizing committee,

and swim commentator for Fox Sports during the Rio games.

“In 1983 the CSU swimming and diving team traveled to Rio as part of an exchange program with Gama Filho University, established by history professor Don Ramos to strengthen ties between two similar urban educational institutions,” said Morton.

“Afterward, Carol and I hosted two students from Gama Filho — one was Cristina Santoni, who was a Viking swimmer in the 1984-85 school year.”

During the Rio games the Mortons attended the opening ceremony, gymnastics, slalom, canoe/kayaking, cycling, beach volleyball and

swimming. They also spent time with former Viking Ian Murray, an Olympic coach for the East African island nation of Seychelles.

Murray, a four-year letter winner at CSU from 1997-2000, was a team captain and member of two Viking teams that won conference championships.

“The embrace of all nations is what the Olympic spirit is all about. Carol and I have been to every Olympics since 1976. We are already looking forward to the 2020 summer games in Tokyo,” said Morton.

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P H I L A N T H R O PY AT WO R K

A Reason to Celebrate Cleveland State is the proud recipient of a 2016 Sustained Excellence Award for fundraising from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education.

CSU was recognized for Overall Improvement over fiscal years 2013 through 2015.

“CSU has not only demonstrated the highest levels of professionalism and best practice in its fundraising efforts, it has contributed to the betterment of educational advancement worldwide,” said Sue Cunningham, CASE president.

Indeed, during the fiscal years analyzed by CASE, CSU posted back-to-back-to-back record-setting years — $6 million, $20 million and $22 million — for fundraising. And we have generous donors to thank.

In addition, ENGAGE: The Campaign for Cleveland State University has achieved nearly $92 million of its $100 million goal. Publicly announced in May 2015, ENGAGE supports student success through scholarships and initiatives to help students stay in school, graduate and use their knowledge and skills to succeed in their careers and their lives. ENGAGE is CSU’s first-ever comprehensive campaign.

Thank you to everyone who is supporting CSU and its students. Here are some highlights of the past fiscal year.

The annual Celebration of Scholarship Luncheon recognized scholarship donors and recipients.

Keynote speaker Tom Hopkins, MA ’82, interned at Sherwin-Williams

while a graduate student at CSU and went on to a 35-year career with the firm, retiring in May as senior vice president of human resources.

A 2012 recipient of CSU’s Distinguished Alumni Award, he established the Hopkins Family Endowed Scholarship Fund and provided leadership to establish the Dr. James M. Schuerger Endowed Scholarship Fund to honor his faculty mentor.

For the third consecutive year, generous donors helped Radiance: CSU Realizing the Promise achieve more than $1 million for scholarships.

Since 2011, $4.8 million has been raised, with some 1,500 Radiance scholarships awarded to students who literally need just a bit of financial help to get them over the finish line to graduation.

Radiance Scholar Drewcilla Roberts brought the crowd to its feet as she spoke proudly of being a role model to her siblings and the first in her family to graduate. Now attending Miami University on a full graduate assistantship, she is studying for an education specialist degree in school psychology.

Radiance 2017

The President’s Medal, the University’s most prestigious nonacademic honor, was awarded to civic leader/ philanthropist Steven A. Minter, former president and executive director of the Cleveland Foundation. Currently a CSU Executive-in-Residence, CSU Foundation director and Fellow in the Levin College Center for Nonprofit Policy and Practice, Minter has served the University in a host of other capacities.

“My life has been filled with incredible moments. Receiving this medal is one of them,” he said.

He and his wife established the Steve and Dolly Minter Endowment Fund in the Levin College.

WILL TAKE PLACE FRIDAY, MAY 12, WITH ALL PROCEEDS SUPPORTING STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS. FOR INFORMATION ON SPONSORSHIPS AND TICKETS, VISIT CSUOHIO.EDU/EVENTS/RADIANCE OR CALL 216.523.7207.

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CLASS NOTES

1950s EDGAR J. BECK, BS ’54, is a retired chemical research scientist who worked for 34 years for Union Carbide/Dow Chemical.

He invented and holds patents on the first commercial, highstrength, graphite yarn fibers.

A member of the CSU Athletics Hall of Fame for tennis, he has been playing the game for 75 years. He lives in Fairview Park.

GEORGE LANDGRABE, BS ’59, is retired and lives in Maitland, Fla. The former captain of the Fenn swim team has been scuba diving around the world for 60 years. His son, Gary, has joined him in the sport for 43 years; two grandchildren also dive with him.

1970s JOHN HUBBARD, BSME ’70 and MBA ’73, received the Hephaestus Award in recognition of his contributions to the field of heat treating. His entire career was spent in the thermal processing industry. Under his leadership, Bodycote became the world’s leading provider of thermal processing services.

THOMAS GOMBARCIK, BA ’72, was named Employee of the Year at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. The St. Petersburg, Fla. resident has been a deliveries supply clerk for more than 25 years.

JAMES C. SCHWAB, BA ’73, was named to the prestigious American Institute of Certified Planners College of Fellows for his outstanding achievements in urban planning. SInce 2008, he has been manager of the American Planning Association’s Hazards Planning Center, where he has played a central role in creating and shaping a new subfield of professional planning.

JERRY LANDAU, JD ’75, was elected a public member of the board of directors of the Federation of State Medical Boards. The Phoenix resident is the government affairs director for the Arizona Supreme Court.

JOSE FELICIANO, JD ’75 and MBA ’84, and JOSE VILLANUEVA, BA ’76, were honored by the city of Cleveland during Hispanic Heritage Month. Feliciano is the former chief prosecutor for the city and a former Cuyahoga County public defender. He is the founder of the Ohio Hispanic Bar Association. Villanueva is a Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court judge.

DENNIS LANSDOWNE, BA ’78 and JD ’81, was selected for inclusion in the 2017 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. He has been an attorney with Spangenberg Shibley and Liber LLP in Cleveland since 1985 and has been a partner since 1990.

LINDA GECA BARATH, BBA ’79, retired after 36 years with the Internal Revenue Service. She keeps busy by vacationing and volunteering with her church, nonprofits and the CSU chapter of Theta Phi Alpha, for which she was a founder 37 years ago.

THOMAS H. CRAFT, BBA ’79, has been recognized as a member of the President’s Cabinet of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corporation/Sagemark Consulting. Members are top performers selected from Lincoln’s national network of advisors.

JEFFREY ROLF, BSME ’79 and MBA ’85, is the new president and CEO of the Cleveland-based Ohio Aerospace Institute. He most recently served as vice president of commercial airframes, business development, for Parker Hannifin Aerospace.

Rolf previously served as chair and is a current industry member of the Ohio Aerospace and Aviation Council, and he’s a charter member of the Ohio Legislature’s Ohio Aerospace and Aviation Technology Committee.

1980s WILLIAM R. CERVENIK, BBA ’80, was named president of Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School.

For the past 12 years, he served as mayor of the city of Euclid. Cervenik is a 1972 graduate of St. Joseph, which merged with Villa Angela in 1990.

DEE PERRY, BA ’81, retired after 40 years as a radio broadcaster, including 20 years as host of Sound of Applause on WCPN-FM. JANIS LYONS, BBA ’81 and MBA ’85, was named chief financial officer of the Visiting Nurse Association of Ohio. She previously held leadership positions at PNC Financial Services Group.

ROSA MARIA DELVECCHIO, BA ’82 and MA ’84, is a literary writer and editor for Cyberwit Publishers in India.

She recently edited That’s the Way Blood Trickles, a first novel in a four-book fantasy series. She lives in Brooklyn, Ohio.

JOSEPH F. BADGER, BA ’83, is the director of human resources at Bravo Wellness.

CHRISTINE K. KASTNER, BA ’83, is a freelance writer, editor and author of two books, Soldiering On, Finding My Homes — Memoir of an Army Brat and Looking for the Meneki-Neko Love Hotel.

LINDA LEHMANN MASEK, MA ’83, lives in Northfield.

Her eighth book, Tales from the Buckeye State, was recently published.

MARILYN TOBOCMAN, JD ’83, was featured in Crain’s Cleveland Business´ “8 Over 80” story about seniors who are still making a mark on Northeast Ohio’s business, civic and philanthropic circles. Tobocman, age 82, is an attorney with the Ohio Attorney General’s civil rights division and carries the same workload as she did when she took the job more than two decades ago.

Five alums who work for Tucker Ellis LLP were named to the Best Lawyers in America list for 2017.

Congratulations to: ANN CARESANI, BBA ’88, MBA ’93 and JD ’94; HARRY CORNETT, BA ’09; CORINE CORPORA, BBA ’88; ROBERT HANNA, MBA ’83 and JD ’86; and GLEN MORRICAL, MBA ’82.

DEBRA GREEN, BA ’78, director of community outreach for Medical Mutual of Ohio, is a Crain’s Cleveland Business 2016 “Woman of Note.”

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CLASS NOTES

KEVIN LYNCH, BA ’84, is a reporter for The Daily Record in Millersburg, Ohio. His first book, Bring Home a Winner, Memoir of a 25-Year Journalism Career, chronicles a sports-writing career that has taken him from covering the World Series in Cleveland to Little League fields in and around East Central Ohio, with stops in high school gymnasiums from Athens to Columbus and beyond.

NANCY WIEGAND LYON, BBA ’84, is the first-ever director of finance and administration at Event Source, an event rental company. She oversees the information technology, human resources, accounting and purchasing departments. She most recently was the controller for a local corrugated packaging distributor serving northern Ohio.

KEVIN GOODMAN, BA ’85, was honored by Ohio Cancer Research at its 2016 Star Award Gala. He is the managing director of BlueBridge Networks. CSU President Ronald M. Berkman was also honored at the event.

DAVID SPELIC, BS ’85, is a physicist with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health. He was recently elected as a member of the National Council of Radiation Protection and Measurements.

CYNTHIA WEISKITTEL, BA ’85 and MPA ’00, was named director of the Cuyahoga County Division of Children and Family Services. She has been with the agency for 30 years, most recently as deputy director of direct services.

LUCINDA EINHOUSE, MBA ’86, was named the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce 2016 Business Person of the Year. The Lakewood resident has been president and CEO of Beck Center for the Arts since 2007.

DAN POLK, BA ’88, was named to the Brunswick High School Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame. The 1982 graduate is vice president of sales at Medical Mutual. A singer/guitarist and half of the Parsons and Polk duo, he has performed the National Anthem at Indians, Browns and Cavs games and at the Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement dinner.

LISA ROSE, BBA ’88, was named president of Dix & Eaton. She has been with the firm since 1996, most recently as senior managing director. She also is a Crain’s Cleveland Business 2016 “Woman of Note.”

DOUGLAS J. SMORAG, MBA ’88, received the 2016 University Hospitals’ Distinguished Advisor Award. He is the senior vice president, chief financial officer and director of CM Wealth Advisors and has been with the firm since 1998.

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1990s WARD J. DUMM, BSME ’91, was promoted to vice president of continuous improvement and quality at Swagelok Company. He has been with the firm since 1991 and most recently served as director of manufacturing strategies and engineering systems. He lives in Chardon.

MARK E. AVSEC, BA ’92 and JD ’95, was appointed to a three-year term on the Cuyahoga Arts and Culture board of trustees.

He also was recently named among Crain’s Cleveland Business’ “Who to Watch in Law.” The Broadview Heights resident is a partner with Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff, LLP and a Grammy-nominated musician.

ROBYN GORDON, BBA ’92 and MBA ’96, director of center operations, NASA Glenn Research Center is a Crain’s Cleveland Business 2016 “Woman of Note.”

LIZA GROSSMAN, BMusic ’93, was a 2016 recipient of the Cleveland Arts Prize. The violinist, conductor and educator is the founder of the Contemporary Youth Orchestra. She has conducted more than 500 world premieres, including 10 concertos with members of the Cleveland Orchestra, numerous works by professional, emerging composers and hundreds of orchestral rock works.

KEITH MANOS, MA ’93, is a novelist, adjunct professor and educational consultant who lives in Willowick.

His debut novel, My Last Year of Life (in School), is a semi-autobiographical story told in a diary/epistolary format about a teacher during his last year in the classroom.

DONALD F. RONYAK, JR., MLRHR ’93, participated in “Strategic Management of Regulatory and Enforcement Agencies” at Harvard’s Kennedy School in Cambridge, MA. The program included participants from 14 countries and focused on good government. Ronyak is the deputy director of human relations for the Colorado Department of Revenue.

SANGY VATSA, MCIS ’93, joined Comerica Bank as executive vice president and chief technology officer.

For the past decade he has worked for American Express as chief information officer.

TAMMY GEORGIAN, BA ’93 and JD ’96, is an administrative law judge in the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review in Charleston, S.C. JOHN M. COYNE III, MBA/JD ’94, was selected for inclusion in the 2017 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. He is a partner with the Roetzel law firm.

DANIEL RAYNOR, BA ’94, joined Associated Bank as senior relationship manager in the Insurance Industry Banking Group. He has more than 20 years of experience in banking and insurance.

AMY ROEDIGER, MEd ’94, received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. An educator for 25 years, she has spent the past two decades teaching chemistry at Mentor High School. A speech and debate coach, she recently was inducted into the Ohio High School Speech League’s Hall of Fame.

SHARI WILKINS, BA ’94, is the founder and director of the Cleveland Print Room, an area in the ArtCraft Building that celebrates and preserves the equipment and processes of traditional photography.

STEPHANIE EAFFORD, BEd ’94 and MEd ’00, is the principal of Steel Academy in Akron.

The grade 6-12 school serves students with ADHA, autism spectrum disorders, gifted students and others with learning differences.

Her 20 years as an educator includes stints as a principal with the Warrensville Heights Schools and principal, vice principal and teacher in the Cleveland Metropolitan Schools.

JENNIFER L. BARTLETT, BSN ’95, was selected as a member of the Governor’s Teaching Fellows Program, an outreach program of the Institute of Higher Education at the University of Georgia to improve the quality of instruction in that state’s colleges and universities. Dr. Bartlett is an assistant professor in Mercer University’s Georgia Baptist College of Nursing.

JEREMY BLEICH, BA ’95, teaches music at Artsmart New Mexico and develops operettas for children as a composer-in-residence through The Santa Fe Opera.

ALAN K. NEVEL, BA ’96, is vice president of global diversity and inclusion for Thermo Fisher Scientific.

JONATHAN M. BANTA, MBA ’97, is the executive vice president of the Dermatology & Skin Cancer Surgery Center in McKinney, TX. SONYA PRYOR-JONES, MEd ’97, was honored by the White House as a Champion of Change. She is the chief implementation officer for the Fab Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to technology.

DALITHIA C. SMITH, MBA ’97, was promoted to vice president, human resources, at Lincoln Electric Co. She joined the firm in 2007 and most recently served as director, North America human resources.

EDWARD M. CROUSE, MBA ’98, was promoted to vice president, Cleveland operations, at Lincoln Electric Co. He joined the firm in 1986 and most recently served as general manager, consumables.

JOHN HINKEL, BA ’98, was re-elected to a city council position in the city of Fairview Park. He is a business analyst specializing in information technology for KeyBank.

KIRK JONES, MBA ’98, was promoted to chief financial officer of Benchmark Hospitality International. He joined the firm in 2015 as senior vice president for finance. In May, Jones received the Distinguished Alumni Award from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, where he earned his undergraduate degree in hotel administration. Jones lives in the Houston area.

JOELLE MAGYAR, MEd ’98, was named superintendent of the Brecksville-Broadview Heights school district. She previously served as assistant superintendent for the Brunswick and Mayfield school districts.

MATTHEW SCHERER, BBA ‘98, is the president of PMAgroup, a dental transition firm located in Northeast Ohio.

MARY ROSE SYLVESTER, MBA ’98, president and CEO of Current Powered by GE, and NANCY TINSLEY, MBA ’98, president of University Hospitals’ Parma Medical Center, were honored by the YWCA of Northeast Ohio with the Women of Achievement award. Tinsley is also a Crain’s Cleveland Business 2016 “Woman of Note.”

JONATHAN P. BECK, BA ’99, is U.S. director of operations for Kids & Company in Chicago.

ANITA BRADLEY, MA ’99, was honored by the White House as a Champion of Change. She is the founder and executive director of the Northern Ohio Recovery Association.

MATTHEW SVEC, JD ’99, joined Barrister Title Group, based in Mansfield and Ashland, as vice president and assistant general counsel.

KATE TOOHIG, BA ’99, was promoted to director of fitness, wellness and recreation at the Mandel Jewish Community Center. She has worked there for eight years as group fitness instructor and manager. She lives in Orange.

MELISSA D. WATSON, MEd ’99, was appointed superintendent of the Ashtabula Area city schools. She lives in Howland, Ohio and was superintendent of the East Liverpool schools for the past two years.

2000s CRYSTAL FRANKLIN, MEd ’00, was invited to discuss her work as an international activist for people living with HIV/AIDS at the White House’s United State of Women Summit.

STEPHANIE JANSKY, BA ’00 and MA ’02, is the director of programming for the City Club of Cleveland. She was recognized by Crain’s Cleveland Business in the 2015 class of 40 under 40.

SHARYNA C. CLOUD, MPA ’02, is the new director of the Cleveland Peacekeepers Alliance. The Bedford resident most recently was a project director for the city of Cleveland’s Community Relations Board.

GINA DESANTIS, BA ’02, is the owner of Gina DeSantis Ceramics, specializing in creating high-end handcrafted ceramic wares.

SARAH FLANNERY, JD ’02, is a recipient of the 2016 Crain’s Cleveland Business 40 Under 40 award. The Thompson Hine LLP partner serves as secretary of the CSU Alumni Association.

NAYEEM SAYED, MSEE ’02, joined the Milwaukee office of Mortara Instrument, Inc. as director of downstream marketing for the Americas. Most recently, he was senior marketing manager for GE Healthcare.

DONNA DAY, BEd ’02 and MEd ’04, is an assistant volleyball coach at Niagara University in New York. For eight seasons, she coached volleyball at Ursuline College in Pepper Pike.

ERICA DEUTSCH, BA ’03, is the sales and marketing manager at Studio Graphique in Cleveland.

KATHY MILLER, MPA ’04, was appointed to the Ohio Electoral College for the November presidential election. She was the volunteer Trump campaign chair for Mahoning County. A real estate broker and appraiser in Youngstown, she served for eight years as a trustee for Boardman Township.

BILL HUNT, MA ’69, and MARGARET RAUB HUNT, MA ’80, are the only married couple to both receive CSU’s Distinguished Alumni Award – Margie in 1990 and Bill in 2005.

Both received their master’s degrees in mathematics and are past presidents of the Greater Cleveland Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Bill is a past president of the Ohio Council of Teachers of Mathematics, while Margie was the council’s first executive director. Both were co-executive directors of the School Science and Mathematics Association, an international organization.

Bill taught for 30 years at Mayfield High School; Margie taught at Cardinal Mooney High School in Youngstown (her alma mater), St. Joseph Academy in Cleveland, and Strongsville High School.

Their many awards include the Presidential Award for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics in high school (Bill in ‘83 and Margie in ’86), and the Christofferson-Fawcett Award to both in ’99 for their inspiration and excellence in the teaching of mathematics.

This year, both received the Lifetime Contributions to Mathematics Education award from the Greater Cleveland Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

The Hunts are enjoying retirement in The Villages, Fla.

HOLLY L. BENSKY, BS ’05, was certified as a registered microbiologist in pharmaceutical and medical device microbiology by the National Registry of Certified Microbiologists.

She works for STERIS Corporation in Mentor.

JULIE HUTCHISON, BA ’05, is the co-owner of The Root Café in Lakewood. The café was named the best vegetarian restaurant in the region by the Cleveland Hot List in 2015 and was selected

by MSNBC as the site for a live broadcast during the 2016 Ohio Presidential Primary. Hutchison leads a cultural exchange between U.S. and

Cuban artists and will be taking a group of musicians and dancers to Cuba in May 2017 for the Guarapachanga Music Festival in Pinar Del Rio. KELLY C. MORGAN, MBA ’06 and JD ’14, joined the Cleveland office of Benesch as an associate in the corporate and securities practice group. csuohio.edu

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CLASS NOTES

CARLOS ALVAREZ, BA ’07, is an artist whose work has been displayed in galleries across the country.

LADAVIA DRANE, JD ’07, is director of African-American outreach for Hillary Clinton. She is the former executive director of the Congressional Black Caucus.

ELIZABETH EVANS, MBA/JD ’07, general counsel, Republic Steel, is a Crain’s Cleveland Business 2016 “Woman of Note.”

MATT KIRKSEY, BA ’07, joined The Ohio State University at Lima as coordinator of financial aid. For the past three years he was financial services director and business office manager at Miami-Jacobs Career College.

DAVID SCHINDLER, MED ’07, was named principal of Erieview Elementary School in Avon Lake. His career includes 18 years with the Positive Education Program for students with special needs in Cleveland. He lives in Avon Lake.

CRYSTAL M. DUPLAY, JD ’08, joined the law offices of Timothy M. Sullivan.

BRITTANY NEAL-AGNEW, BEd ’08, received an award of excellence in teaching from the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. She is in her second year of teaching first grade at Bolden Elementary School. She lives in Oakwood.

GEORGE E. YANULIS, D.Eng ’08, is the president and owner of Medical Device Consulting LLC, has been appointed to the Bioengineering Department at Temple University as an adjunct professor and has served as an expert witness for medical device liability cases and in the development of a cardiac pressure sensing system.

PAUL INFIELD, BS ’09, was invited by the U.S. Olympic Committee to be on the medical staff of the Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid, N.Y. The doctor of chiropractic, who practices in Euclid, worked with the Team USA bobsled, luge and skeleton teams for two weeks this fall.

ERIN DEE HUBER, BSES ’09 and MSUS ’11, was featured in Cleveland Scene’s annual people edition. She was singled out for her work to provide the world access to clean water as founder and executive director of Drink Local. Drink Tap. In 2012, Huber received CSU’s Distinguished Alumni Award.

2010s ALANA JOCHUM, JD ’10, was named executive director of Equality Ohio. She also was recently named among Crain’s Cleveland Business’ “Who to Watch in Law.” She is a member of the CSU Alumni Association board of directors.

ALYSIA ROGERS, BA ’10, is a production assistant for Brunswick Area Television, a cable access channel, and a substitute teacher. She was featured in the Plain Dealer’s Fashion Flash section.

MYESHA WATKINS CROWE, BA ’10 and MA ’14, was named director of the Broadway Boys & Girls Club in Cleveland’s Slavic Village.

Two graduates are pursuing medical careers, courtesy of full scholarships from the U.S. Air Force. CHRISTOPHER SASS, BS ’14, and JANEL MONTFORT, ’15, were recently commissioned and began their studies this fall. Sass is attending the Boonshoft School of Medicine at Wright State University, while Montfort is enrolled at The Ohio State University Wexner College of Medicine.

Sass served in the Air Force from 2005 to 2010, including deployments to Germany, Israel and Iraq. He attended CSU on the Post-9/11 GI Bill, and graduated with a degree in biology.

Montfort is new to the military. She enrolled in CSU’s post-baccalaureate program in 2013 to study pre-pharmacy before switching to pre-med.

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JOSEPH NEAL, BA ’11, is a security officer for Garner Assess Protection. He lives in Cleveland.

ACHILLE NICOLETTI, BS ’11, BSEE ’11 and MSEE ’12, is a doctoral fellow at CERN, the top laboratory in the world for particle physics, located on the border of France and Switzerland.

CHAITANYA LOMTE, BSME ’11 and MSME ’13, joined Roll-Kraft as a mechanical engineer. Most recently, he was a design engineer at GE Lighting.

MATTHEW HRUBEY, MPA ’12, was appointed to the Fairview Park school board. He is a grants coordinator for Cuyahoga County.

STIPE MIOCIC, who wrestled and played baseball at Cleveland State, won the Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight title with a surprise knockout of Fabrício Werdum in Brazil. Congratulations!

LACHAKA ASKEW, BA ’12 and MS ’14, is a Cleveland-area minister and founder of an interfaith dialogue group that works to bridge religious and cultural divides between foreign and domestic non-Christians.

JENNIFER L. KATZAKIS, JD ’13, joined the Cleveland office of Benesch as an associate in the real estate and environmental practice group.

MARCHEL’E DAVIS, MEd ’14, is a personal stylist and the owner/ CEO of Elements of Style by Marchel’e.

ANNMARIE GILBERT, MEd ’14, was named the 2015-16 Big House Gaines College Basketball Coach of the Year by the National Sports Media Association. She also was honored as the Advocate for Athletic Equity Division II Coach of the Year. During her first year as head coach of the Lady Panthers of Virginia Union University, she guided the team to a historic 28-win season and a berth in the NCAA Division II Tournament’s Elite Eight. Gilbert was the head coach at Eastern Michigan University for five years.

RACHEL E. GRUIC, MUPDD ’15, is the head of the drafting technology department at Savannah Technical College.

BO ZHANG, MACT ’15, is the Chinese translator for Cavs home games for Sohu, a Chinese media and internet company.

In Memoriam ALUMNI CLARENCE GRAHAM, BSME ’34, in August 2016 • MARGARET G. HOTCHKISS, BBA ’39, in June 2016 • THOMAS J. KINDER, BSME ’52, in April 2016 • ERIC ZBACNIK, BSEE ’52, in August 2016 • EDWIN A. KENNEDY, JD ’55, in August 2016 • GEORGE K. AJEMIAN, BS ’57, in July 2016 • DONALD MANDALFINO, BS ’57, in July 2016 • GENE ALLEBACH, BSME ’58, in July 2016 • BARBARA BLOCK ROSS, AAS ’58, in May 2016 • WILLIAM J. SEXTON, JD ’58, in January 2016 • JAMES S. HURST, BS ’61, in June 2016 • RICHARD A. MANCUSO, BSME ’61, in July 2016 • ANNE M. SHILHAVY, BA ’63, in March 2016 • MICHAEL D. CASELLA, BSME ’65, in April 2016 • RICHARD J. COLVIN, JD ’65, in August 2016 • WILLIAM KAPLAN, JD ’65, in December 2015 • SHARON H. HAMMINK, BEd ’66, in January 2016 • JOHN E. CORRIGAN, JD ’68, in November 2015 • ELIZABETH M. SNYDER, BEd ’68, in July 2016 • THEODORE H. CZUPIK, BSME ’70, in December 2015 • GEORGE GLAVINOS JR., JD ’70, in June 2016 • KATHERINE M. SOUKUP, BA ’70, in June 2016 • C. ZERDA MALKIN, BA ’71, in September 2016 • GENE F. HALTER, BBA ’72, in May 2016 • JAMES E. CERMAK, BA ’73, in July 2016 • ROBERT E. SIMEK, BBA ’73, in May 2016 • DOROTHY L. JUDSON, BEd ’74, in August 2016 • CATHERINE A. LIGHT, MEd ’74, in February 2016 • BETH MAKSELAN, BS ’74, in August 2016 • HARRIETTE E. BAILEY, MEd ’75, in January 2016 • JOHN S. REBRO, BSCE ’75, in July 2016 • NORMA BLACKBURN SINGLETON, MS ’76, in July 2016 • MARY G. WALSH, JD ’76, in June 2016 • DIANNA MIOSI, BBA ’76 and JD ’79, in September 2016 • EMMA K. JONES, BEd ’77, in December 2015 • JOHN F. OLSZEWSKI, BBA ’78, in July 2016 • SYLVIA M. STRASSHOFER, BA ’79, in August 2016 • RAY J. LUNNEN III, JD ’81, in August 2016 • MICHAEL SCHODOWSKI, BS ’81, in August 2016 • EDWARD DILIDDO, BBA ’82, in September 2016 • GREGORY G. KRONTIRIS, MBA ’82, in July 2016 • MARIAN ORR, BBA ’82, in May 2016 • SUZANNE WALKER WEBER, MEd ’ 82, in September 2016 • LINDA E. MOROSKY, OT ’83, in August 2016 • STYLIANOS A. ZACHOPOULOS, MSCE ’84/DRCE ’87, in July 2016 • GERALDINE KRIEGER, MEd ’86, in May 2016 • FRED C. CROSBY, JD ’87, in August 2016 • ELANOR EADIE POWELL, BA ’87, in June 2016 • JEFFREY E. REIM, BA ’87 and JD ’90, in May 2016 • DONALD F. MULLALLY, MS ’88, in April 2016 • PATRICIA ANNE MARTINAK, BSCE ’92 and MSCE ’95, in May 2016 • LOIS BOKMAN, BS ’93, in July 2016 • TERRY A. GRANO, BSN ’94, in August 2016 • WERNER G. BARTHOL, JD ’95, in June 2016 • RICHARD J. BONDE, Ph.D. ’98, in March 2016 • BETH E. OLTMANNS, BS ’99 and MEd ’05, in May 2016 • CRAIG S. AMLIN, MBA ’00, in May 2016 • NICHOLAS J. SMITH, MBA ’07, in June 2016 • MARK J. SZABADOS, BA ’08, in July 2016 • SUSAN E. SHAPIRO, BEd ’13, in August 2016.

In Memoriam CSU DEATHS DAVID HERLACHER in December 2015. An associate professor emeritus of mathematics, he joined the faculty of Fenn College in 1955 and retired from CSU in 1985.

ARTHUR R. LANDEVER in April 2016. Professor Emeritus Landever joined C|M|LAW in 1972, retired in 2007, and then taught political science as a part-time faculty member for three more years.

JOHN A.C. GREPPIN in May 2016. Internationally known for his Classical Armenian scholarship, he founded the Annual of Armenian Linguistics and edited it for 25 years. The professor emeritus taught at CSU from 1975 to 2010.

LOUIS A. TUZI, JD ’55, in May 2016. A professor emeritus of engineering, Dr. Tuzi retired in 1993 after 31 years as a faculty member. He also served as the law director of Northfield Village.

DANFERD C. AVIS, BBA ’51, in July 2016. A Viking basketball player who is enshrined in the CSU Athletics Hall of Fame, Mr. Avis established the Danferd C. Avis Endowed Men’s Basketball Scholarship. He served as Alumni Association board president, Varsity C executive director, and in other leadership roles and was the first recipient of the George B. Davis Award for Service to the University.

KLAUS-PETER HINZE in July 2016. During his 31 years at CSU, Dr. Hinze taught German and chaired the modern languages department. The professor emeritus retired in 2002.

MICHAEL WILLIAMS in July 2016. For the past 12 years, Dr. Williams served as director of CSU’s Black Studies Program. Under his leadership, CSU started its bachelor’s degree in Black Studies academic program in 2010.

He joined the University in 1985 as a faculty member in social work.

CSU mourns the loss of two political greats who also were great friends of the University.

GEORGE V. VOINOVICH, honorary Doctor of Laws ’04, passed away in June 2016. Mr. Voinovich spent his life in public service to the city of Cleveland, the state of Ohio and the nation.

His illustrious career includes member of the Ohio House of Representatives, Cuyahoga County commissioner, county auditor, and lieutenant governor of Ohio. Mr. Voinovich served as mayor of Cleveland from 1980 to 1989, governor of Ohio from 1991 to 1998 and U.S. Senator from 1999 to 2011.

A longtime senior fellow in CSU’s Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs, he was a key advisor to CSU leadership. In 1989, he received CSU’s In Tribute to the Public Service award.

STEVEN LATOURETTE, JD ’79 and honorary Doctor of Laws ’05, passed away in August 2016. Mr. LaTourette was a public defender, Lake County prosecutor, and 18-year member of the U.S. House of Representatives.

He served on the C|M|LAW National Advisory Board and established the Steven C. LaTourette Graduate Public Interest Fellowship at the law school. He received CSU’s In Tribute to the Public Service award in 2013.

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G E T I N V O LV E D

Stay Engaged!

CSU Viking Travelers

Keep up to date with the CSU Alumni Association by following us online.

Our website, csualumni.com, is your starting point for all things alumni.

There, you’ll find out about networking opportunities, travel programs, campus events, and much more — including our third-annual Women’s Leadership Symposium on April 12, award-winning Passport Cleveland events (csualumni. com/passport), and Radiance, CSU Realizing the Promise on May 12, the University’s annual scholarship event (csuohio.edu/radiance).

You can also stay engaged through our social media channels including:

If you’ve always dreamed of seeing the world and leaving all of the hassles of planning to someone else, now is the time. CSU Viking Travelers is an exciting partnership between the Cleveland State University Alumni Association and professional travel experts, offering world-class travel adventures throughout the year for alumni and friends.

Start planning now for trips in 2017. This is your chance to sail or fly away on exotic adventures to tour English castles, reveal Baltic and Scandinavian treasures, and discover the glamorous allure of St-Tropez, the Spanish charms of Palamós, Barcelona, Valencia, and Minorca, and the intriguing history of Marseille, Portofino, and Florence/Pisa. Our travel partners are taking care of the logistics so you have an enjoyable experience of a lifetime. Visit csualumni.com/travel to get started.

csuaa

@CSU_Vikings

@vikepride YouTube.com/CSUAlumniChannel

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Join us for upcoming events.

Visit csualumni.com for details.

Want to follow Viking Athletics?

Visit csuvikings.com for news on all our teams and ticket information.

Stay Connected!

The Cleveland State Alumni Association is located in historic Mather Mansion on the eastern edge of the CSU campus. Our doors are always open to graduates and their families. If you’re planning to visit, please let us know in advance and our staff will welcome you for a campus tour, connect you to faculty, and roll out the green carpet. We can be reached at 216-687-2078. Whether you visit the campus or our website, please keep us posted with updated contact information and achievements and milestones in your life.

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2/3/2017

1/20/2017

Passport Cleveland: Historic Houses of Worship Tour

2/20/20172/25/2017

CSU2U Florida

5/12/2017

Passport Cleveland: Progressive Insurance Art Collection Tour

3/2017

4/12/2017

Indians Spring Training in AZ

Women’s Leadership Symposium

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Cleveland State Magazine 35

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS CSU was all in when the Cavs made a historic comeback to win the NBA championship — the first major sports title for a Cleveland team in 52 years. Students, faculty and staff were among an estimated one million fans who lined the streets of downtown Cleveland to catch a glimpse of LeBron James and his teammates during the victory parade.

For those who couldn’t make it to the parade, CSU social media captured all the action.

The Cavs championship prompted a re-editing and rerelease of the ESPN film Believeland, adding a happy ending to the documentary chronicling the woes of Cleveland sports fans.

Author and CSU alumnus Scott Raab, BA ’83, was a producer of Believeland and appears in the film. The last time a Cleveland sports team won a major professional championship – the 1964 Browns – 12-year-old Raab was in the stands.

36 Cleveland State Magazine

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