summer 2011 • vol. 23 • no. 2
Great Lakes Energy Institute: Researching power grid and storage capacity and alternative energy
in this issue:
Update from the Great Lakes Energy Institute
Alumni Survey Results
The Virtual Worlds Lab
President’s Message
Dear Fellow Alumni/ae: I am ending my two-year term as President of the Case Alumni Association (CAA) and want to thank all of you for your support and encouragement during this period. It is hard to believe that I have been on the faculty at Case Western Reserve University since 1979. I have fond memories of visiting the CAA on the first floor of Crawford Hall on the way to my office on the sixth floor, where the Department of Systems and Control Engineering was located at that time. I am pleased that the CAA has returned to campus and that current and future students, faculty and staff will have easy access to the staff and resources of the CAA in Tomlinson Hall. As I mentioned in my last letter, the CAA has established a search committee, chaired by David Hunt ’63, to begin the process of selecting the next executive director of the CAA. The committee has developed a job description, and an ad for the position is included in this issue of the magazine. If you have any nominations for the position, please send them to resume@casealum.org. The Case Alumni Association will be closing out its fund-raising activities for this year on June 30, 2011. If you have not done so already, please consider giving to the CAA’s Case Fund®. An important aspect of the U.S. News and World Report rankings is alumni participation in annual giving, so gifts of any size are greatly appreciated. It is through your generous donations to the Case Fund that we are able to provide support for scholarships, student activities and programs, and Case School of Engineering special initiatives. Your continued generosity and support is very much appreciated. Please mark your calendar for October 13-16, 2011, for Alumni Weekend. The CAA will be joining Case Western Reserve University in this celebration. More information will be available on the CAA website as plans for the celebration are finalized. It has been my pleasure to serve you as president of the CAA. Harry Farmer ’55, G’65 will be assuming the role of CAA President beginning July 1, 2011, so please extend him a warm welcome. Sincerely,
Kenneth A. Loparo PhD’77 2010-2011 President Case Alumni Association
The Case Alumni Association serves the interests of more than 20,000 alumni of the Case School of Applied Science, Case Institute of Technology, and the Case School of Engineering. Its mission is to serve and advance the interests of the Case School of Engineering, the math and applied sciences of Case Western Reserve University, its alumni, and its students through a strategic focus on fund raising, institutional leadership, responsive services, public relations, and student programs. Established in 1885, by the first five graduates of the Case School of Applied Science, the Case Alumni Association is the oldest independent alumni association of engineering and applied science graduates in the nation.
Summ e r 2 0 1 1 v o l . 2 3 | n o . 2
To serve and advance the interests of the Case School of Engineering, the math and applied sciences of Case Western Reserve University and its alumni and students.
FEATURES:
6 Update from the Great Lakes Energy Institute
The Case Alumnus is a publication of the Case Alumni Association, Inc. a 501(c)3 public charity under the IRS code.
Alumni Survey Results
12
Case Alumni Association, Inc. Tomlinson Hall, Room 109 10900 Euclid Avenue Cleveland, Ohio 44106-7073
16 Paying It Forward 20 The Virtual Worlds Lab
Phone: 216.231.4567 Fax: 216.231.5715
Departments:
Web: www.casealum.org E-mail: casealum@casealum.org
President’s Message
2
CEO’s Message
Kenneth A. Loparo PhD ’77, President
3
Case Clips
Harry L. Farmer, Jr. ’55, 1st Vice President
4
Your Dollars at Work
Officers
Edward P. McHenry ’67, 2nd Vice President Richard B. Smith ’51, Secretary
5 Notes from Nord Hall 500
Leon Blasey ’60, Treasurer
18
Favorite Faculty
23
Class Notes
25
CaseSpace
Denise Dannels ’87, Assistant Treasurer
Staff Roger H. Cerne ’63, Chief Executive Officer Nancy Lupi, Executive Assistant to CEO
26 In Memoriam
Tom Conlon, Chief Financial Officer
28
Paul Stephan ’64, Director of Leadership Gifts Anne Cunningham, Director of Annual Giving Dan Dean, Director of Alumni & Student Relations
Where Are They Now?
visit us online FOR THE LATEST NEWS & EVENTS!
www.casealum.org
Dasha Slobozhanina, Account Assistant Diane M. Zaffuto, Database Manager Pam Burtonshaw, Database Assistant
Case Alumnus Terri Mrosko, Editor McKinney Advertising and Public Relations, Design and layout; Leslie King, Art Director Photo credits: Douglas Photography (page 8); Case Western Reserve University Archives (page 27); Courtesy CWRU Communications (page 7, 18)
Join the CAA's online network. Stay connected with other alumni and keep current with CAA news, job postings, and conversations. Let us know what you think, join this month's discussion on LinkedIn. Nationwide about 8% of college-bound seniors major in engineering. Do you remember what first attracted you to engineering?
On the cover: The Great Lakes Energy Institute at Case Western Reserve University was created in December 2007. Since that time, the institute’s energy funding has doubled from private, public and governmental supporters. GLEI’s current focus is on wind and solar energy as well as grid and energy storage research. Summer 2011 | 1
Chief Excutive Officer’s Message
Dear Case Alumni/ae and friends: This issue of the Case Alumnus brings you an update on the Great Lakes Energy Institute, one of the major strategic initiatives of the Case School of Engineering. And while this initiative adds to the educational and research mission of CSE, this magazine is about alumni involvement, participation and leadership. We hope you will enjoy reading about Walt Culver, PhD ’63 and, of course, Professor Ken Loparo, PhD ’77, who has served with distinction as president of the Case Alumni Association the past two years. Their impact, as graduate alumni, has been very important to the growth of this institute. The article on the recent alumni survey was the outcome of two 1970 graduates who had outstanding careers at Procter and Gamble. It was their inspiration and hard work that put this survey together, analyzed the results and prompted actions by both the school and the CAA. Our profound “thank you” to Dave Roberts and Paul Zimmerman for their efforts! There is one clear conclusion – we all are proud of our Case education, the ability to think clearly and solve problems. It is now our responsibility to give back to today’s students who will enhance the equity in our degrees. Thank you to each and every one of you who shared your opinions and please continue your feedback.
Roger H. Cerne ‘63 Chief Executive Officer Case Alumni Association Case Alumni Foundation
2 | Case Alumnus
Doug Nock ’63 endows scholarship at University Having received scholarship support during his undergraduate years at Case, Doug Nock wanted to give back to his alma Sophomore mater in a way that will continue Zachary Galliger, to advance Case Western Reserve Biomedical Engineering, was University in ratings with peer announced in the institutions. So Nock established May 12, 2011 Case Daily a new scholarship fund at the newsletter as the University with a special mission. Douglas W. Nock The scholarship is awarded Endowment scholarship annually to an outstanding recipient for the student advancing the mission 2011-2012 academic year. of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender community at CWRU. Announced in December 2010, the first recipient of the Douglas W. Nock Endowment Scholarship was Christopher Jennewein, senior, Computer Science.
Humans vs. Zombies game comes alive on campus
Junior/Senior Scholarships awarded by Case Alumni Association During the week of April 4, the Scholarship Committee chaired by Harry Farmer ’55 interviewed new scholarship candidates for the CAA Jr./Sr. Scholarship Program. Students are nominated by their department chairs and interview with a panel of alumni. “This is one of the finest groups of students interviewed,” said Farmer. Thank you to the alumni who sat on the panel during the week interviewing engineering, math and science students for the scholarship program: Denise Dannels ’87; Joe Fakult ’90; Don Feke ’76; Jeff Herzog ’79; Herman Leggon ’53; Tom Litzler ’53; Dave Marsh ’49; Ed McHenry ’67; and Frank Merat ’72. The Scholarship Committee is pleased to announce 135 students will receive new Jr./Sr. scholarships for a record $517,050 in support. In addition, 92 students renewed their Jr./Sr. scholarship for $383,900 in support.
Students let off some steam as they participated in an intense game of tag on the grounds of Case Western Reserve University this spring. The primary objective of Humans vs. Zombies – to have fun! The game originated in 2005 at Goucher College in Baltimore and spread to college campuses throughout the world. A Nerf blaster gun is used to “tag” humans and turn them into zombies. This is the third year zombies have been seen at CWRU.
Photo credit: Susan Griffith, Case Western Reserve University
Photo credit: Daniel Milner Photography
Case Clips – News from Around Campus
Summer 2011 | 3
Your Dollars at Work A Legacy of Caring Since 1885
What does Endowment mean? Some may look at a non-profit group’s financial statements and say, “They have plenty of money, so they do not need any more!” However, most of an institution’s assets are listed as “endowment” or “permanently restricted.” The common definition of endowment is “a financial asset donation made to a non-profit group or institution in the form of investment funds or other property that has a stated purpose at the bequest of the donor. Most endowments are designed to keep the principal amount intact while using the investment income from dividends for charitable efforts.” Investopedia explains that “endowments provide ongoing benefits for those that receive them by earning a market rate of interest while keeping the core endowment principal intact to fund future years of scholarships, or whatever efforts the donor sought to fund. In some cases, a certain percentage of the assets are allowed to be used each year, so the amount pulled out of the endowment could be a combination of interest income and principal. The ratio of principal to income would change year to year based on prevailing market rates.”
The Case Alumni Foundation, a 501©3 supporting organization to the Case Alumni Association, administers endowment funds that were created by alumni and friends since 1972 as permanently restricted funds as designated by the donor for scholarships, fellowships, labs, faculty support or other purposes at the Case School of Engineering or Case Western Reserve University. Each year the Case Fund Board authorizes an amount, currently 4.0%, of the average market value of the past three years to spend for the purposes designated. An additional amount (.92%) is authorized for management and investment fees. The Case Alumni Association and Foundation continues to serve the students, faculty and teaching labs at the Case School of Engineering through the Case fund annual giving program and the endowments we administer. Compare tuition costs when you were in school with those of our peer institutions, and you can see that in order to maintain the ability to deliver a quality engineering and science education, the need for additional funds, both annual and endowment remain important. They are your dollars at work.
Case Alumni Foundation Endowment Funds As of June 30, 2010 Scholarship & Prizes (157) Fellowship Funds (5)
$2,241,892
Labs & Buildings (16)
$6,668,769
Faculty Support (7)
$2,533,764
Case School of Engineering Priorities (7)
$624,975
Other Special Purposes (8)
$952,707
Case Fund® Board Designated (3) TOTAL Endowments Charitable Trusts & Annuities (92) TOTAL CAA FUNDS (295)
4 | Case Alumnus
$23,554,114
$4,317,610 $40,893,831 $3,853,647 $44,747,478
NOTES FROM NORD Hall 500
Dear Alumni and Friends: Energy—its generation, transportation, utilization and storage—has been one of the foci of my four-year tenure as dean and the university’s strategic plan. Since the Great Lakes Energy Institute’s founding in December 2007, the school has made tremendous progress on our energy agenda. Just this year, Gerald Welsch, a 32-year veteran of the materials science and engineering department, secured one of the most prestigious research grants with the U.S. Department of Energy: a $2.25 million ARPA-E award. Roger French joined him in the MSE department as the university’s Engineering Strategic Hiring Initiative Plan’s first appointee. He’s already secured almost $1 million in grants in solar energy and materials research.He’ll be joined soon by additional hires, thanks in part to a new professorship in energy and advanced materials funded by alumnus Tom Seitz (CIT’70) and his wife Nancy. With U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton present, Case Western Reserve University and the China National Offshore Oil Corp. – New Energy Investment Co., Ltd. (CNOOC-NEI) signed an EcoPartnership agreement this month to develop technically feasible and economically viable solutions to energy and environmental issues. While we are focusing on new energy technologies, our greatest resource is the boundless energy of our students. Take engineering powerhouse Jane Backus. The Brooklyn, Ohio senior chose the Case School of Engineering in part to stay close to home and help her dad with her two younger siblings. Before Jane set foot on the Case Quad, she already completed her first of four summer internships at NASA Glenn Research Center, plus two more last summer at Parker Hannifin and GE Lighting. For four years, the mechanical engineer has been an invaluable team member employed in the Division of Student Engineering Program to augment her Case Alumni Association Scholarship. Jane’s energy permeated Nord Hall. She lead, organized or participated in everything from E-Week to the ABET assessment to the St. Gobain Design Competition. She even served two consecutive years as president of the Case Engineers Council and the Society of Women Engineers. Jane is leaving for Vermont soon to start her career with the Timken Company in its prestigious two-year training program: a position she secured in November. First, she’ll make a brief stop at Commencement. There, she’ll receive her bachelor’s degree and the Kent H. Smith Award, which goes to an outstanding senior displaying extraordinary leadership, character and scholarship in the Case School of Engineering. I can’t think of a more remarkable recipient! Please join me in welcoming Jane and her fellow graduates into the Case Alumni Association. They are our greatest renewable energy source to power the future of the Case School of Engineering, thanks to your support.
Sincerely,
Norman C. Tien Dean & Nord Professor of Engineering Ohio Eminent Scholar, Physics
Summer 2011 | 5
An Update: Great Lakes Energy Institute Case Alumnus originally reported on the energy initiative in the summer of 2008. Here is an update from the Great Lakes Energy Institute on some of its most recent accomplishments. Case Western Reserve University’s Great Lakes Energy Institute (GLEI) was created in 2007 with $6 million in gifts from the Cleveland Foundation and the Milton and Tamar Maltz Family Foundation. Since that time, the institute’s energy funding has doubled from private, public and governmental supporters Last year, GLEI installed a 100-kilowatt, 156-feet tall wind turbine on campus as part of the Ohio Wind Energy Research and Commercialization (WERC) Center: the first turbine research center on a U.S. campus. GLEI recently sponsored and hosted the Cleveland Great Lakes Wind Conference, attracting more than 200 attendees to campus. GLEI also served as the only university collaborator in the United States Department of Energy Advanced Research Projects AgencyEnergy (ARPA-E) energy summit attended by 2,100 people from 49 states. At the same time, GLEI has been involved in these key projects that have interest in/from the Cleveland community. • S upporting wind development in Lake Erie through the Lake Erie Energy Development Company’s (LEEDCo) building of a 20 MW pilot project to take advantage of a large natural resource and to build a future stream of research and learning opportunities for CWRU students and faculty. • Leading the creation of a Cleveland, OH-based center in grid scale storage to accelerate the national adoption of storage. • Fostering the China–U.S. collaboration by being named an EcoPartnership with the Chinese National Offshore Oil Company and begin building a research platform with which to span wind, storage and growing areas of focus for both countries.
6 | Case Alumnus
“We are fortunate that the investment in GLEI has allowed us to deliver our activities in energy. There has been no lack of interest in our activities. And yet we are vigilant about our next level of support such that we can remain a sustainable organization into the future,” GLEI’s Executive Director Dianne Anderson states. “The opportunities we have brought forward supporting energy education and research and economic development, and with new distinctive partners, will be strengthened in time. Any new organization is required to focus and make choices. The support of our Great Lakes Energy Institute Advisory Board, with their strong business and utility acumen, is instrumental in guiding GLEI.” For more information and a complete list of current advisory board members, visit http://energy.case.edu/. The growth of energy research Since the inception of the Great Lakes Energy Institute in 2007, Case Western Reserve University has doubled the level of energy-related research. The majority of this research stems from GLEI’s work in promoting collaborations – including industry and university partnerships – for the pursuit of winning major energy funding or educating students. The GLEI’s mission is to enable the transition to advanced sustainable energy generation, storage, distribution and utilization, through coordinated research, development, and education. Multiple alternative energy sectors comprise this research, much of which coalesces under the umbrella of utility scale power.
These sectors include: Grid and storage: Grid research at Case Western Reserve builds on historical strengths in controls and sensors, providing a core to smart grid interfaces that deal with controls and electronics for renewable and storage grid connectivity, as well as microgrid development. Storage research leverages 80 years of expertise in electrochemistry at Case Western Reserve. This includes the newly formed Department of Energy ARPA-E group (power electronics) as well as the Sandia lab funding (flow batteries), the home of the world-renowned Yeager Center for Electrochemical Sciences. Two distinctive electrochemical energy centers, the Case Advanced Power Institute and the Flow Battery Storage Center, are now collectively called the Electrochemical Engineering and Energy Laboratory (EEEL). Wind energy research emphasizes offshore deployment and is founded on controls, power management, and grid interfaces. Other wind power research involves wind measurement and characterization, as well as mechanical, aerodynamic, and structural computational simulations of individual turbine components and wind farm array performance. Case Western Reserve’s research is enhanced by its proximity to the shores of a major freshwater wind resource. Solar research in next generation photovoltaic focuses on device development as well as the reliability of the system, stemming from a strong materials (both hard and soft), scientific, and research reputation. These efforts have been bolstered recently by early funding for what will become the “Solar Durability and Lifetime Extension Center (S-DLE)� at Case Western Reserve, which will combine with the newly opened solar energy laboratory, Materials for Opto/Electronics Research and Education Center. In addition to its role in energy research, the GLEI is an integral part of educating the next generation of energy innovators. The institute hosts a monthly energy conference series, which draws together top researchers for discussions in various applications of alternative energy, with a new sector discussed in each session. GLEI is also looking to new education partnerships such as the recently announced international exchange program for students and faculty with Tianjin University (China) and focusing on new energy technologies.
Summer 2011 | 7
8 | Case Alumnus
Energizing the Team
By Terri Mrosko
Board Chairman of the Great Lakes Energy Institute, Walter J. Culver, PhD ’63, brings to his role more than 40 years of experience in building and running complex organizations, setting technology-based strategies and dealing with government partners around the world. Dr. Culver spoke to Case Alumnus about his involvement with GLEI, Case Western Reserve University and as a member of the Visiting Committee of the Case School of Engineering. Q: When did you first reconnect and become more involved with Case? Dean Norman Tien and then-CSE development director Jeremy Weaver met with me to discuss the formation of the Great Lakes Energy Institute, which led to my wife and me agreeing to endow a fellowship to that end in 2007. “The Walt and Sylvia Culver Engineering Fellowship for Sustainable Infrastructure” was, I believe, the first commitment to GLEI. Later, in January 2009, GLEI Executive Director Dianne Anderson and Professor Iwan Alexander visited me in Virginia and asked me to become chairman of the advisory board. Q: Talk about some of the impressive additions to the GLEI board since then. In general, it was collaboration between various CWRU executives and me. CWRU identified most of the board members as folks with an abiding interest in the welfare of the university and with skills that potentially matched up well with the focus of GLEI. I then interviewed them, noting that in addition to four formal meetings a year there would be numerous interactions and a bit of hard work on agreed action items–for some board members we had had two or three interactions per month, with some homework to prepare for the interactions. For about a third of the candidates, that was more intense an engagement than they had in mind, and they demurred.
The outside board candidates who remained interested are all deeply engaged and very forthcoming in their observations. They include a unit president of FirstEnergy; the founder and CEO of an integrator of international power companies; a retired top executive of PSE&G, who is now the commissioner for renewable energy for New Mexico; the cofounder of a wind energy provider in California; retired top executives in power companies; heads of energy practices in major law firms; and a retired head of electrical engineering at Virginia Tech, who remains a world-recognized consultant on grid modernization. Q: What are some new initiatives and recent developments at the Great Lakes Energy Institute? One of the more interesting is a CRWU/electric utility initiative that I have played a small part in–the Ohio Renewable Energy Center (OREC), led within CWRU by Vincenzo Liberatore of the Case School of Engineering and Roger Saillant of the Weatherhead School of Management. The OREC will have the infrastructure to get utility grid feeds in a model grid control center at CWRU, to enhance student education in the power-engineering disciplines and to support graduate research in the intersection of engineering innovation and business case development. We believe it is unique among universities. (See accompanying story on page 11) (continued)
Summer 2011 | 9
About Walt Culver After completing his master’s degree in electrical engineering and PhD in the systems engineering program at Case in 1963, Dr. Culver left for Baltimore to join the Westinghouse Defense & Space Center. He was put in charge of the applied math department in 1965. He joined Computer Sciences Corporation in 1968 and grew up with the field of information technology, long before it was known as such. Early in his career, Dr. Culver published technical work in the field, but more importantly, was one of a handful of practitioners focusing on how to bring formal management methods into the field of technology. By 1972, Dr. Culver was named vice president and general manager of CSC’s defense systems business. An important outcome of his time in this position was the automation (and virtually complete redefinition of naval command and control) of the Aegis class of destroyers and cruisers, representing 80 ships of the line that are still being built today. That work, which started under Culver and 13 CSC staff on Halloween of 1968, grew to 1,100 people five years later. Lockheed Martin published a celebratory calendar in 1997 on the Aegis program where Culver was named as one of nine modern naval systems “pioneers” for the Aegis work. After working for Computer Sciences Corporation for 21 years, Dr. Culver became CEO of a Turkish aerospace firm before co-founding SI International Inc. with $31 million in private funding. He served as president and vice chairman of the board of the parent company and for a time as chairman and CEO of the subsidiary SI International Telecom Inc. Dr. Culver has appeared in or authored pieces for Corporate Board Member magazine, Forbes, the Washington Post and federal-government journals. Most recently, his paper, “High-Value Energy Storage for the Grid: A Multi-Dimensional Look,” was published in the December 2010 issue of The Electricity Journal. He was also recognized by the Urban League with its E.L. Patterson Education Award, and by President Reagan, for leading an education foundation consisting of IBM, TRW and other major firms in developing a program to further the success of minority students in college. Dr. Culver is a member of the Visiting Committee of the Case School of Engineering and is currently consulting to the dean to optimize the capture of the interdisciplinary, highly-competitive research grants that are becoming the mainstay of the elite universities.
10 | Case Alumnus
Q: Do you have a message for fellow alumni, either on supporting GLEI or the university through a donation of time or money? Well, when I came to Case as a graduate student, I was already married, with a child on the way. Coming from very modest financial backgrounds, there was no way we could afford full-time graduate school without the very substantial financial support of a National Defense Education Act Fellowship, which the university offered me. We’ve done very well financially since then, attributable, we believe, to the master’s and Ph.D. that I garnered as a result of that financial support. So, we feel obligated to give something back. Not all alumni needed (or got) so substantial a package of financial support, but nearly all who are comfortable financially now owe some measure of it to CWRU, and should think about their obligation to future generations.
Stabilizing and securing the nation’s power system
By Kenneth A. Loparo, PhD’77 and Nord Professor of Engineering
I am rekindling my interests in energy systems. To that end, I am developing a research program in the Great Lakes Energy Institute that focuses on systems approaches to managing the stability and security of the U.S. power system (the “grid”) when distributed renewable energy resources such as solar and wind power, and energy storage are connected to the system. Stability refers to the ability of the system to return to steady-state operation after a disturbance. Security is a time-varying measure of the vulnerability of the system to disturbances that may disrupt its normal operation. Because the grid is a large-scale nonlinear dynamical system, complex (sometimes “chaotic”) behaviors can emerge as a result of disturbances and contingencies. Typical disturbances to the power system include weather and changes in demand, and contingencies
refer to equipment and line outages that may occur as a result of failures or in response to exogenous conditions. High penetrations of non-dispatchable renewable energy resources such as solar and wind can increase the vulnerability of the power system to disturbances. If not managed properly, this can lead to reduced operating reliability and poor power quality. The power system is the interconnection of generation and load through an extensive electrical transmission and distribution network that includes automatic systems (e.g. relays and breakers) that respond to unfavorable operating conditions and isolate a problem (fault) on the network to protect equipment. A unique aspect of this system is the interaction between the operating variables (current, voltage and frequency) and the connectivity of generation and load through the electrical network. For example, lines can be taken out of service by the automatic operation of relays and breakers, and this can cause a change in operating variables that induces other relays and breakers to operate. This “cascading” phenomenon was a major contributing factor in the Northeast Blackout of 2003. My research team is developing modeling approaches and analysis methods to study the complex interactions in these systems. Of particular interest are how the increased penetration of distributed renewable energy resources will affect the stability and security of the grid, and what information and control architecture is required to dynamically manage this system in real-time. The focus of the effort is to develop new sensing and control strategies that can be deployed in the distribution system to effectively manage significant penetrations of distributed renewable energy resources to enhance power quality and increase system operating efficiency and reliability.
Summer 2011 | 11
The Survey Says:
How Case graduates feel about their school Last fall, Case Alumni Association commissioned an online survey to measure how engineering, math and applied sciences alumni feel about their school. The survey includes about 10 years of newer alumni perspective, since the previous survey done in 2000. The survey, inspired from and created by David Roberts ’70, G’72, PhD’74 and Paul Zimmerman ’70, G’72, both retired Procter & Gamble employees, was conducted with cooperation from Dean Norman Tien’s office at the Case School of Engineering. Development of the survey as well as resulting analysis and presentation was done at no cost to the University nor the Case Alumni Association. The 2010 survey reflects a group of alumni twice the size of the previous survey and included a request for voluntary comments as well. “This makes it more complicated to analyze, but usually gives the best insight,” stated Roberts and Zimmerman. “We also asked the voluntary comment
question in a way that invited emotional as well as factual responses.” The survey garnered more than 930 responses, providing reportable bases by graduation group (Case School of Engineering, Case School of Applied Science and Case Institute of Technology) as well as colleges within the University. This represents a response rate of 11%, more than sufficiently high to be considered representative of the total population. The results of the survey were recently presented to the Case Alumni Association Council, the Case School of Engineering Campaign Committee and university leaders. Here we present a brief synopsis of the results, some voluntary comments provided from alumni survey takers and a course for action to address some of the results the survey uncovered.
David Roberts ’70, G’72, PhD’74 Dave Roberts has three degrees in Chemical Engineering from Case. He spent his entire career at Procter and Gamble in product development. His key projects include: a) initial development of the Dri-Weave™ liner that became the basis for the Always brand, b) led the U.S. development program for taking Pampers to shape and to ultra thin, and c) initiated the development effort that eventually led to the Swiffer® brand. Dave and his wife Kathleen have been married since Dave’s graduate school days at Case. They have three children: Scott, Adam and Megan. Dave credits Case with starting him on a lifetime of continual scientific curiosity and learning. Paul Zimmerman ’70, G’72 Paul Zimmerman graduated from Case with a BS/MS in Chemical Engineering. After four years doing materials research in the Air Force, he joined Procter & Gamble. Zimmerman spent 10 years in product development at the company before moving to market research. There he worked on many P&G brands in understanding consumer need, volume forecasting, and developing new models of consumer behavior. He retired in 2007 to Tryon, North Carolina. David Roberts ’70, G’72, PhD’74 (left) and Paul Zimmerman ’70, G’72 12 | Case Alumnus
There are four main takeaways from the survey: (1) Case is rated well (77, or excellent to very good) by its alumni. Some of the reasons cited include good faculty, good courses, and career preparation. (2) The main driving force behind the rating is “Pride.” (3) There is an issue with “National Reputation.” Evidence of this shows up in three places: (a) in voluntary comments, (b) in responses to direct questions and (c) in the gradual drop based upon the period of time during which one graduated. (4) Overall, the CSE group has a different, and lower, view of Case. Results were statistically significant and meaningful, showing up in multiple, consistent places.
Rating Case
Word of mouth
On a weighted average, Case is rated “excellent” or “very good” by a strong majority of alumni, 77 percent. Asked whether the quality of education has improved since graduation, nearly half those surveyed said they perceived it “about the same.”
A total of 34 percent of alumni have recommended Case to someone, with the average number of people they recommend Case to being 6.3. That’s about average compared to consumer products, but much lower than usual for charity organizations. As expected, the more recent the graduate, the more they tend to tell others about Case.
The groupings of alumni used in the survey were: Pre-1947 (CSAS), 1948-67 (CIT), 1968-87 (CIT/CWRU), 1988-92 (Colleges) and 1993-2010 (CSE). Statistically, the CSAS and the Colleges group are too small to analyze separately, but are part of the weighted average. The following is the percentage of each group that rated Case as excellent/very good: Pre-1947 – 88 % 1948-1967 – 80% 1968-1987 – 75% 1988-1992 – 70% 1993-2010 – 72%
“I feel the branding of the University, and the Engineering School in particular, over the years has created a very unclear identity. When I attended in the 1960s, it was clear what CIT stood for—a top-notch engineering education.”
“I received a great education, which is exactly what I wanted and expected. I was challenged every day by curriculum, faculty and competition from my very intelligent and industrious classmates. I gained a strong sense of self-confidence and learned leadership. My reaction toward CIT is ‘pride.’”
Summer 2011 | 13
Quality of Education The ratings for quality of education were all positive, the survey results indicated, showing that respondents perceive that the quality of education is getting better. The more recent the graduation, the less likely that respondents perceive the quality of education would change.
“The education I received prepared me for my career. All the subject matter was so fascinating, and I love science, math and engineering to this day. The teachers were excellent to outstanding.”
Additional attribute ratings
Voluntary comment analysis
Respondents were asked to rate the performance of Case and their importance of a total of 21 attributes reflecting a cross section of pertinent functional and emotional issues. As expected, the CIT group, being older, rated the attributes three points higher than the two younger groups. The statements they most identified with and rated Case highest in include:
An analysis of alumni voluntary comments shows that favorable comments were made about 2.5 times more frequently than unfavorable comments, which is a normal ratio. “Getting a good education” and “Having a good experience at Case” were the predominant favorable comments, following by “Feeling proud to graduate from Case.” Unfavorable comments were led by “Drop/change in national reputation,” followed by “Impersonal atmosphere” and “Lack of social life.”
• Preparing me technically for a future career • Making me feel confident I could succeed in my field • Making me feel challenged in the classroom as well as technically and personally • Providing high quality, challenging professors in my field of study • Making me feel proud I graduated from Case Those attributes that fared lower, but were still ranked higher in importance among Case graduates, include: • Being a great value for the money • Having a very good national image • H aving an administration that constantly looked to future business and society needs • H aving an administration that listened to the needs of students
14 | Case Alumnus
“My education at Case taught me more than skills—it taught me how to think and how to solve problems. It took a lot of discipline to keep up with all the work.”
“I think Case provides a great technical education and one that is as good as when I attended. I also believe, that unlike the reputation that Case had when I attended, it is no longer held in the same esteem as MIT or Cal Tech.”
Indicated Actions from Survey Some preliminary action items were suggested by Dave Roberts and Paul Zimmerman. Those action items center on fund raising in particular and pride/national reputation in general. Where applicable, we have listed some next steps and initiatives currently in place or being planned. • E stablish an attitude among alumni that your degree has value, and investing even a minor amount of money in the school helps maintain and build the value of that asset that we all share. • Leverage “pride” in all elements and correspondence with alumni. • Identify and emphasize specific areas where funds can most benefit the national reputation of the school. For instance, the new strategic hiring initiative to bring new top-ranked faculty to the school.
• I dentify and emphasize the unique, powerful initiatives going on at Case. For instance, the new think[box] undergraduate labs to allow students to pursue innovative ideas and designs as well as upgrading all undergraduate teaching labs. • Focus on engaging younger alumni and current students. • Repeat the survey in two to four years to see if actions have had an impact. Both CAA and CSE plan to analyze these findings and come up with additional action steps. We Need Your Input In order for the Case Alumni Association to initiate actions that will engage younger CSE alumni and current students, we need your ideas, comments and suggestions. Please send your thoughts and ideas to Dan Dean, Director of Alumni and Student Relations, daniel.dean@casealum.org or Roger H. Cerne’63, CEO, roger.cerne@casealum.org.
Summer 2011 | 15
Paying it Forward
By Terri Mrosko
“When I was at Case as an undergraduate, the head of the mechanical engineering department, Ray Bolz, took an interest in me,” Marxman said. “I arrived at Case as a 3.2 student from Monmouth College in Illinois, which is a liberal arts school that had a strong science program. Several of us transferred over as juniors, were good students and did very well at Case.” After finishing first in his class as an undergraduate, Marxman intended to get a job and earn some money. Bolz urged Marxman to go on to graduate school and did “everything in his power” to make it easy to pursue the degree, Marxman said. While Marxman was still working on his graduate degree, Bolz started making the case for him to pursue a doctorate.
Jerry Marxman ’56, G’59 with GroupCard Founder John Anderson GSB MBA ’07, who thanked Marxman for his support over the years with a hand-crafted sculpture.
For nearly three decades, Jerry Marxman ’56, G’59 of Portola Valley, California, rented his guest cottage to Stanford students earning their MBAs at the university’s Graduate School of Business. Not only did he provide those students an inexpensive place to live, Marxman also helped inspire and influence a whole generation of young people, several of whom went on to start their own business. Marxman graduated from Case Institute of Technology with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and a master’s in aeronautical engineering. He then earned his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from the California Institute of Technology, specializing in fluid mechanics, after leaving Case.
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“I had no intention of doing so, but Professor Bolz persuaded me to take some competitive exams for fellowships, which I did. He made it sound almost mandatory,” said Marxman, who “was fortunate enough to win a good fellowship” that would allow to him to attend Case, MIT or Caltech. It was Bolz who actually encouraged Marxman to choose Caltech. He wanted Marxman to study under a distinguished fellow in the field of rocketry, combustion and fluid mechanics, Frank Marble, who was a good friend of the Case department head. After graduating from Caltech, Marxman went to work for United Technologies Corporation in the San Francisco Bay area, which had a rocket division. There, Marxman developed a theory for what was then a new kind of rocket, called a hybrid rocket. It turned out his theory was correct and Marxman made a name for himself in the industry. He stayed in rocket science for a while, first at UT and then as division head at Stanford Research Institute, a university spin-off that did contract research for the industry and government.
Moving in a new direction After 10 years in the field, Marxman knew it was time to change direction and do something completely different. He joined a start-up company in Los Angeles called BioDyne Industries, one of the first environmental companies in the country during the ‘70s. Although he had no real experience running a company, he ended up as chief operating officer for the new company and stayed for seven years. When he left, corporate sales were approaching the $3 million mark annually, mainly growing through acquisition. Marxman decided to move back to the Bay area, which he preferred to LA. “For a while, I didn’t quite know what I was going to do next,” he said. “Finally, I decided to start up a venture capital firm. I went back to Stanford Research Institute because I knew all the management there. I asked them to cut a deal with us to commercialize technology. This was right at the onset of technical transfer legislation for universities.” Marxman’s company negotiated exclusive rights to SRI technology in exchange for an equity position in his firm. The new organization was called CommTech International, which did a lot of work not only with SRI, but with Stanford, Caltech and the University of California. In the early ’90s, CommTech led the way in commercializing DSL technology, its biggest claim to fame, Marxman said. “The technology was invented by a Stanford professor of electrical engineering John Cioffi. Together we co-founded a company, Amati Communications Corp., which was eventually acquired by Texas Instruments,” Marxman said. While Marxman was still with CommTech, he moved from San Francisco to the Menlo Park area. He rented a house in Portola Valley that had a little room attached to it. He started receiving inquiries from business school students about renting the place, even though Marxman did not think it was usable year round as living quarters. After much resistance, Marxman relented and rented it to a student named Marlin Miller. “It turned out to be a great experience. I could walk across my yard and ask Marlin if he knew an
electrical engineering student who could work on projects for my company,” Marxman said. “The next day, I’d have three of them.” Marxman enjoyed meeting Miller’s friends, all bright students—an exceptional bunch, he said. In fact, a few years later when he built a house on the same property, Marxman replaced the small room with a small apartment attached to the garage as a separate living space. “From then on, I had Stanford Business School students living there. In the early days when I was still into the venture capital stage of my career, I was sometimes able to help these students with their entrepreneurial interests, even making introductions in a few cases. My main role was to encourage them to believe that they could do what they wanted to do,” he said. Over the years, the group evolved into its own network, helping each other. When one was ready to leave, they would recommend another student to move in. It became somewhat of a tradition, Marxman said. Ultimately, four start-up companies were started by students who stayed in Marxman’s guest house. The most recent, GroupCard, was founded by John Anderson GSB MBA ’07 who thanked Marxman this past Christmas with a sculpture he created out of old discarded metal parts. “John calls it ‘Jerry’s Starcatcher’ and says it is intended to remind me that all the young people who have lived in my guest cottage during the past 28 years were inspired to ‘reach for the stars,’” Marxman said. “Now, people like John have replaced me as mentors. It is wonderful how it all worked out.” Start-up companies founded by Stanford business school graduates and mentored by Jerry Marxman ’56, G59 Coinstar® – Founded by Jens Molbak, GSB MBA ’90 Care2 – F ounded by Randy Paynter, GSB MBA ’95 (COO is Marxman’s first resident, Marlin Miller, GSB MBA ’83) Kiva – Co-founded by Matt Flannery, Jessica Jackley, GSB MBA ’07 GroupCard – Founded by John Anderson, GSB MBA ’07
Summer 2011 | 17
FAVORITE FACULTY By Alex Engel ’09, ’11
just that. One of the professors for whom I am especially grateful is Dr. Gary Wnek of both the Macromolecular Science and Engineering department and The Institute for Management and Engineering.
GARY WNEK Faculty Director, The Institute for Management and Engineering (TiME) Professor of Macromolecular Science and Engineering Joseph F. Toot, Jr., Professor of Engineering Polymeric Materials, Polymers in Medicine, Product Design While I was an undergraduate at Case, the professors that I met showed me what it means to be truly committed to one’s work. They devoted their time and energy to their research and to teaching us the skills and knowledge that we need in order to become successful engineers. However, in light of all this giving, students rarely get a chance to express their gratitude for the contribution that their professors make to their education. Now that I have recently graduated with a degree in biomedical engineering, I have been given the opportunity to do
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I first met Dr. Wnek out of class, when I was taking over the president role at Case’s Rising Engineers and Technological Entrepreneurs (CREATE), an organization devoted toward furthering undergraduate engineering design. I was a sophomore and felt vastly unprepared for this new role; the previous president was a graduate student who had grand visions for the direction of the program. However, Dr. Wnek helped ease my fear and anxiety by reaching out with help and advice whenever he could. He also was able to help with funding our organization by finding grant support; we were able to provide housing for students for three years using the generous support of the Kern Foundation. Dr. Wnek was just as helpful and insightful while in classes as when I interacted with him through CREATE. Using his excellent presentation abilities, he helped us gain a better understanding of
the engineering business world in his Professional Communication course. He introduced topical and enlightening speakers while posing thoughtful questions to the class. I am currently continuing my education at Case through the Master of Engineering and Management Degree program, and Dr. Wnek’s work in my courses is top-notch. He encourages discussion and makes sure not to dismiss dissenting opinions. He was also one of the people in charge of finding real companies to assume a client role for one of our courses, in which the students act as product development consultants assisting in real, important projects. Gary Wnek is a fine example of a professor who is not only academically and professionally successful, but who also listens and cares about the success of his students. He takes time to listen to what his students have to say and takes their opinions to heart. I am thankful to have met him during my work at Case Western Reserve University, and I plan to carry the lessons I’ve learned from him into my new career.
Remember some of these Case Faculty? If you have an interesting “Favorite Faculty” story to share, contact the editor at mrosko@cox.net. Robert Plonsey • Simon Ostrach • Wyatt Newman Hunter Peckham • Clark Miller • Mike Adams • Gary Michal
Executive Director The Case Alumni Association, Cleveland, Ohio, an independent 501(c) 3 organization serving the Case School of Engineering, Case Western Reserve University and its 20,000 alumni, seeks an experienced Executive Director to lead its alumni and student relations programs, the Case Fund ®, the annual fund for the Case School of Engineering and the $50 million Case Alumni Foundation. The Executive Director reports to the President and Executive Committee of the Case Alumni Council. The Executive Director will administer a staff of eight in its offices on campus and will have frequent contact with alumni, faculty, staff and students of the school as well as staff of the University for coordination of all activities. Candidates must have at least ten years of progressive professional experience preferably in higher education including alumni relations and development activities. Bachelor’s Degree required. A competitive salary and benefits program commensurate with experience is being offered. All résumés should be submitted to resume@casealum.org.
The Case Alumni Association is committed to Equal Opportunity and Diversity.
Summer 2011 | 19
The Virtual Worlds Gaming Much more than By Terri Mrosko How much fun would it be to spend time in college learning about gaming and virtual worlds? For prospective students considering Case Western Reserve University, Marc Buchner hopes the answer is “Where do I sign up?” As director of the gaming and simulation laboratory known as The Virtual Worlds, Buchner is well aware that the lab is a huge enticement for high school students. The half-million dollar CWRU-funded physical laboratory was constructed in 2005. There is $100,000 worth of computers and software applications and another $100,000 used for renovating the space in the Olin Building located next to Nord Hall. The primary focus of the gaming and simulation lab is for undergraduate education, Buchner pointed out. It is also used to get students excited about programming using their natural interest in online gaming and video games. One goal was to rejuvenate an interest in computer science and computer engineering activities. “This was very important for recruiting, and it’s been very successful,” Buchner said. “When high school students come for a tour with their parents to see the lab, there’s an immediate visceral reaction.”
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But the lab is much more than a recruiting tool, Buchner added. Part of the gaming and simulation program is reaching out to many disciplines across campus and University Circle as a whole. In addition to computer science and computer engineering, art, music and sound figure into the program in a major way. Writing and English are also huge as well as programming and areas such as artificial intelligence. “We have close ties to the Cleveland Institute of Art where we teach a capstone, or advanced projects course. We also get some participation from the Cleveland Institute of Music and our English department as well,” Bucher said. There is no major in gaming, but there is a minor available to students. There is an introduction to gaming course at the beginning of the semester to help students get a flavor of and improve their programming skills. The culmination of the undergraduate course is to create a game. Teams comprised of 12 to 25 students work together, utilizing cross-cultural environments and resources as they develop their projects. Instructors act as high-level managers. The best games come from the teams that get along well and work together well.
and Simulation Laboratory fun and games Research related to gaming technologies In addition to the student-led projects, the gaming and simulation laboratory is a focal point on campus for research that is related to gaming and gaming technology. Some research is in the area of MRI and MRI reconstruction using the same graphical process developed to play games, Buchner said. Gaming technology is being used in more serious applications including in the allied health areas, medicine and education. “We are working on a project right now with the School of Nursing to develop an app for the iPad to allow people to take surveys and fill out general forms. It is particularly designed for people who have accessibility issues; for example, a person who is blind,” Buchner said. His research students, both graduate and undergraduate, did a large amount of work in speech therapy using virtual environments. They also developed a simulated environment to help patients from disadvantaged populations learn to better interact with their healthcare providers in ways that improve the communication process.
Another real-world application to come out of The Virtual Worlds lab includes an iPhone app for a game called Chromawaves. The project was initiated after a local entrepreneur donated several touchpads. The game went up on the iPhone app store, with students donating all proceeds to a children’s charity.
Marc Buchner , Director of The Virtual Worlds Gaming and Simulation Laboratory
“There’s some pretty cool stuff that is coming from gaming technology,” Buchner said. “Gaming was the inspiration for these more serious applications. If something can work in the gaming world, why not develop similar technology for the real world. Now you have very powerful immersive 3D-type games being used in the military, medical field and environmental applications.”
Summer 2011 | 21
Making a game of it By Terri Mrosko Sean Snack is a senior majoring in chemical engineering at Case School of Engineering. When he’s not learning about chemical reaction processes or transport phenomena, Snack spends his time in front of a video monitor playing games such as “Gears of War” or “Fight Night.” He is part of a professional video gaming team known as AmazYn Gaming. Since he first started playing “Halo” as a freshman in high school, Snack developed his team gaming skills and met other competitive gamers along the way. He and a childhood friend auditioned for the team, so to speak, and were asked to join. “We learned that instead of just playing randomly, it is better to give each team member a job to do. Somebody is in charge of manned vehicles while someone else is in charge of flying vehicles. It makes the process more orderly. Everybody knows their role and exactly what they are supposed to do,” Snack said. “You have a team bond that you don’t have unless you’ve experienced that team championship.” Snack likens the success of his professional gaming team to other team sports. After eight years together, they are good enough to win major competitions. They have been to Germany and China to compete, with their sights set on Korea, the “big gaming competition center in the world,” Snack explained. “In Korea, their competitors are at the same popularity level as rock stars here. It’s a whole different world. I somewhat experienced that in China, with people coming up and asking for my autograph,” said Snack, whose team is also currently sponsored by two gaming-related companies, Astro Gaming and Deuce Brand. Snack’s gaming team also developed a group called “Healthy Gamers,” that seeks to eliminate the stereotype that all gamers do is eat junk food and otherwise live an unhealthy lifestyle. He posts recipes online and cooking walk-throughs on how to eat healthily. The goal is to earn more corporate
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Top: Professional gaming team, AmazYn Gaming, during a recent competition Left: Sean Snack, Chemical Engineering Major
sponsorships, as gaming increases in popularity and more companies seek to capitalize on it. As part of a SAGES project for school, Snack developed a prototype of a new Xbox controller. Although it never reached the development or marketing stage, it could still be a possibility for the future. As for how professional gaming can help him in his ultimate engineering career, Snack hopes to get a job with a company like Samsung or in a computer development role, only on the chemical side of technology. He envisions working with software chips or semiconductors, perhaps. “I think gaming is helping me as an engineer. It’s about forming bonds with people and being able to work in teams. You become very accepting and understanding of what your team can do and how you can all work together to achieve a goal,” Snack said.
Class Notes
1950s Judson Aspray ’51, Temple Terrace, FL, was fortunate to have lunch and visit with fellow classmate Richard (Dick) Smith and his lovely wife Rosanne during their March visit to Florida. Donald B. Mead ’51, Jefferson, OH, reports that his daughter, Wendy Mead Gibbons ’82, graduated from CIT with a BS Degree in Systems Control & Engineering and now his grandson Brian Gibbons is in his third-year at the Case School of Engineering. The Case legacy continues . . . Lowell L. Heinke ’54, Cleveland, OH, has joined the firm of Pearne & Gordon, LLP as Counsel. William W. Gerberich ’57, Excelsior, MN, went on to receive his MS in Industrial Engineering from Syracuse University in 1959 and his PhD in Materials Science and Engineering from University of California at Berkeley in 1971. Bill is still active at the University of Minnesota and has had the pleasure of teaching recent PhD graduates who have went on to professional positions in organizations such as Los Alamos National Lab, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Sandia National Lab and the 3M Corporation. In addition, he is serving on the 2011 - IC4N International Advisory Board, and will be a guest speaker at the 2011 - MRS Fall Meeting, “Symposium SS: Properties and Processes at the Nanoscale - Nanomechanics of Material Behavior.”
1960s Roger W. Brockett ’60, Lexington, MA, An Wang Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), received the Capers and Marion McDonald Award for Excellence in Mentoring and Advising in April 2011. He has been a member of the Harvard faculty for the past 42 years and founder of the Harvard Robotics. Jon McGraw ’63, Mesquite, TX, gave the keynote speech, “Winning in Life by Hitting Your Goals,” during the National Ornamental and Miscellaneous Metals Association (NOMMA) convention in New Orleans this past March.
James Sadowski ’63, G’67, Chagrin Falls, OH, was inducted into the Spartan Hall of Fame on April 30, 2011. During his career, he held positions with TRW, was vice president at Parker Hannifin, chief operating officer and president at Chart Industries and retired as president of Linderme Tube Company in 2009. Jim and his wife of 46 years, Elaine, have two children, Cheryl and Matthew, and a grandson, Marshall.
William W. Gerberich ’57
Thomas F. Trost ’64, Lubbock, TX, recently retired from Texas Tech University after 40 years of teaching. Tom is enjoying retirement, traveling and visiting with his grandchildren. John R. Collier ‘66, Tallahassee, FL, professor of chemical and biomedical engineering at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University - Florida State University, College of Engineering, was named interim dean February 21, 2011.
1970s
John R. Collier ’66
H. Steven Gilbert ’70, Newport Beach, CA, retired from Fluor Corporation. James H. Miller ’71, Findlay, OH, is enjoying retirement playing golf and participating in his third Boston Marathon in April 2011. Edward J. Tatman ’71, Solon, OH, of Tatman Associates, Inc., is still actively involved in the design and supply of outdoor electrical substations. In addition, Ed enjoys the company of his five children and seven grandchildren.
Roger W. Brockett ’60
James B. Rafert ’72, Seneca, SC, is one of five finalists interviewing for the position of provost and executive vice president for academic affairs at the University of Toledo.
1980s Mary Jane K. Hornung ’80, North Tonawanda, NY, joined AVOX Systems as a Senior Product Engineer in October 2010. Jon McGraw ’63
Summer 2011 | 23
Class Notes
James L. Donnelly ’85, Greensboro, NC, was inducted into Case Western Reserve’s Spartan Hall of Fame on Saturday, April 30. Jim is currently Dean of Community Education, Work Force Development and Entrepreneurship at Davidson County Community College. In addition, he has held positions with General Motors, Procter & Gamble, and worked with local non-profit organizations as well as local government. Jennifer Hall ’85, Downers Grove, IL, was appointed Associate General Counsel of Intellectual Property at Mars, Inc. Lisa M. Waples ’87, Mequon, WI, is the founder and president of Strategic Recruitment Services. Matthew A. Schiefer G’03, PhD’09
1990s Robert M. Yantosca ’91, Boston, MA, has had an action-packed year. Robert became engaged in October 2010, bought a house in January and is getting married in September. Walter C. Vester G’93, Ridgewood, NJ, principal of Blackstone Cleantech Venture Partners based in New York, spoke at the All-Energy Australia Conference in 2010. Hiroyuki Fujita G’98, Cleveland, OH, CEO of Quality Electrodynamics LLC, Mayfield, OH, received NorTech’s 2011 Regional Impact Award. In addition, Hiroyuki traveled to Washington, DC, where his company, QED, received the Tibbetts Award given to companies that develop technologies that create economic impact.
2000s Matthew A. Schiefer G’03, PhD’09, Cleveland, OH, APT Center Research was featured in the Highlights edition of Journal of Neural Engineering magazine. Matthew’s article, “Selective stimulation of the human femoral nerve with a flat interface nerve electrode,” published March 8, 2010, was chosen due to high praise from journal referees and the high number of downloads from the journal’s website. David Young ’05, G’09, Ithaca, NY, started BlueStamp Engineering November 2010, a hands-on summer program for high school students with aspirations of becoming engineers. In addition, his consulting firm, Tremont Electric, recently designed the circuits that control MEMS mirrors by Mezmeriz. Louis Burnoski ’06, G’07, Copley, OH, a project engineer at Burgess & Niple, passed his Project Engineer exam October 2010. Adam Derewecki ’08, San Francisco, CA, joined Causes as a Software Engineer in March of 2011 specializing in Python, JavaScript, Linux, front end engineering and various flavors of SQL.
Let’s Hear from You! Case Alumnus is interested in notes from alumni telling us about your new job, retirement from your company, new business venture, marriage, births and anniversaries and notable professional events, recognition and awards. Please submit your notes to the Editor at mrosko@cox.net. We encourage you to send a high-resolution digital photo with your submission.
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CaseSpace Alumni in the news Paul K. DeSantis ’66 is in his 45th year of working for Babcock & Wilcox, Inc. as a Managing Design Engineer at the Euclid Nuclear Operations Group. He is leading the Control Rod Drive Mechanism design effort along with team members designing a new modular Nuclear Reactor for the project Generation mPower recently featured in the Wall Street Journal in addition to numerous press releases and publications. In addition, he is now named in three recent patent applications, two of which he shares with fellow engineers and one totally based on his own idea. “I thought that I might coast out into retirement but this project, with 10-11 hour workdays, is anything but coasting,” DeSantis said. Craig Newmark ’75, G’77, Craigslist founder, reveals a new website, craigconnects, with hope of connecting nonprofits to one another and rally new supporters. The site’s mission will be to feature only “good, effective” organizations, especially those that are “socially responsible, self-perpetuating, and replicable.”
Paul K. DeSantis ’66
Newmark earned his bachelor’s and master’s in computer science from Case Western Reserve University and was with IBM for 17 years. He also worked for GM, Bank of America, and Charles Schwab until the late 1990s. While working for Schwab, Newmark started an e-mail listing of events and happenings for friends and co-workers that ultimately grew into “Craigslist.” Dominique M. Durand G’76 was named IEEE Fellow for his contributions to the understanding of electromagnetic fields of human neurology. IEEE is the world’s largest professional association dedicated to the advancement or application of engineering, science and technology.
Craig Newmark ’75, G’77
Dr. Durand is the Elmer Lincoln Lindseth Professor of Biomedical Engineering Neurosciences, Physiology and Biophysics and director of the Neural Engineering Center at Case Western Reserve University. He received a M.S. degree in Biomedical Engineering from Case Reserve University in Cleveland OH, worked several years at the Addiction Research Foundation of Toronto, Canada, and in 1982 received a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Toronto in the Institute of Biomedical Engineering.
Dominique M. Durand G’76
OTHER NOTABLE ALUMNI IN THE NEWS . . . can be found online at www.casealum.org/community. Summer 2011 | 25
IN MEMORIAM Harris P. Moyer ’35, Coral Springs, FL, July 20, 2010 Arthur P. Fraas ’38, Knoxville, TN, April 17, 2011 Robert C. Bigelow ’39, Cleveland, OH, December 2010 Julius Kramer ’39, Beachwood, OH & Boca Raton, FL, April 2011 John J. Jacklitch, Jr. ’40 Ronks, PA, July 25, 2010 Harold L. Sicherman ’40, Cleveland, OH, October 2010 Walter J. Cieslik ’41, Cleveland, OH, January 18, 2011 Robert C. Dorris ’41, Jenkintown, PA, January 5, 2011 Kenneth W. Pfeifer, Sr. ’41, Solon, OH, September 1, 2010 Jack L. Shafer ’41, Vero Beach, FL, January 22, 2011 William D. Bennett, Jr., ’42, Burton, OH, August 2010 Theodore R. Ganger ’42, Beachwood, OH, November 5, 2010 Donald E. Taylor ’42, Pittsford, NY, September 14, 2010 Frederick C. Thompson ’42, Fredonia, NY, March 5, 2011 Bruno D. Bornino ’43, Carlsbad, CA, June 2, 2010 Richard W. Hausrath ’43, South Lyon, MI, February 4, 2010 Alfred R. Korach ’43, Tampa, FL, February 3, 2011 E. Kenneth Mehl ’43, Lovettsville, VA, January 21, 2011 Robert W. Pfaff ’43, G’51 Willoughby, OH, April 2011 Robert N. Reinberger ’43, Cleveland, OH, March, 2011 Stephen S. Werkman ’43, Perrysburg, OH, Date Unknown H. Norman Jelinek ’45, Moreland Hills, OH, September 9, 2010 David E. Stutz ’46, Columbus, OH, February 2, 2011 Richard C. Haas ’47, Lady Lake, FL, December 24, 2010 William E. Schoren, Jr., ’47, Oberlin, OH, September 24, 2010 John G. Van Osterom ’47, Georgetown, SC, December 26, 2010 Lester L. Back ’48, Seven Hills, OH, December 18, 2010 James S. Beeney ’48, Troy, OH, January 28, 2011 Richard V. Bowen ’48, Smithfield, TX, July 20, 2010 Roy L. Gilbert ’48, Oregon, OH, April 17, 2011 Edward D. Alvord, Jr.’49, Rio Grande City, TX, April 22, 2010 Ralph J. Bernotas ’49, Cleveland, OH, September 11, 2010 William R. Dorer ’49, Pepper Pike, OH, Date Unknown Willard R. Fankhauser ’49, Canfield, OH, August 2, 2010 Cavour H. Hauser G’49, Atlanta, GA, January 2011 Edward F. Humel ’49, Sarasota, FL, February 12, 2011 John B. Phipps ’49, Hudson, OH, February 20, 2011 Julius R. Ruetenik G’49, Bedford, MA, March 28, 2011 Richard F. Aul ’50, Yucaipa, CA, December 30, 2010
Victor K. Dorer, Jr., ’50, Beverly Hills, MI, November 7, 2010 Roger K. Emmons ’50, Chardon, OH, January 11, 2011 Malcolm F. Groves ’50, Yarmouth Port, MA, January 30, 2011 William R. Kemsel ’50, Pasadena, CA, August 10, 2010 William J. Morris ’50, Tombstone, AZ, March 15, 2011 Robert J. Rowlands ’50, North Canton, OH, Date Unknown Robert G. Ahrens ’51, Dallas, TX, February 19, 2011 Park French ’51, Aurora, OH, February 2011 Wilbur V. Arnold, Jr., ’52, Massillon, OH, November 1, 2010 John C. Banas ’52, Brevard, PA, Date Unknown G. U. Bennett Bradley ’52, Apple Valley, CA, February 22, 2011 Ernest O. Doebelin ’52, Westerville, OH, November 10, 2010 Edward G. Kay ’53, Huron, OH, March 23, 2011 George Wolfe, Jr., ’53, Sun City, AZ & Seeley Lake, MT, February 24, 2011 Harold L. Baptist ’54, Millersburg, OH, July 4, 2010 Harold E. Thomas ’54, Cleveland, OH, Date Unknown Joseph Tomko ’54, Hinsdale, IL, February 23, 2011 Leonard J. Kaszubinski ’56, Elyria, OH, February 12, 2011 Joseph LeKan, Jr. ’56, Willoughby Hills, OH, January 31, 2011 John E. Mulhern ’56, Aurora, CO, March 3, 2011 Charles A. Baumgarner ’57, North Ridgeville, OH, August 2, 2010 Thomas A. Blanchard ’57, Shelbyville, IN, April 10, 2011 Gerald M. Ihnat ’57, Phoenix, AZ, April 24, 2011 Max Wayne Pearch ’57, Deerfield Beach, FL, April 2, 2011 Bruce A. Kirchhoff ’59, Maplewood, NJ, May 1, 2011 Wilbur R. Meredith, III, ’59, Newbury, OH, December 13, 2010 V. Thomas Stropko ’59, Mentor, OH, Date Unknown Marcus N. Bressler G’60, Westminster, CO, January 7, 2011 Lawrence Fishman ’60, Bluffton, SC, October 25, 2010 Richard A. Horger ’61, Girard, OH, Date Unknown James J. Pelouch, Jr., ’61, Strongsville, OH, August 31, 2010 Thomas M. Beck ’62, Crossville, TN, March 31, 2011 John A. Young ’61, Spring, TX, December 3, 2010 Jack H. Lee ’62, Hamburg, NY, May 4, 2010 Thomas E. Stevenson ’64, Painesville, OH, November 2010 Gary J. Barnes ’65, Sand Lake, MI, February 23, 2011 Joseph A. Robison ’71, Newark, OH, January 22, 2011
OTHER NOTABLE DEATHS OSMAN K. MAWARDI, PhD Osman K. Mawardi, PhD, Emeritus Professor of Electrical Engineering, passed away Friday, March 25, 2011, in Indianapolis, IN. He was born in Cairo, Egypt and graduated from the School of Engineering of Cairo University. After World War II, Dr. Mawardi was awarded a fellowship to Harvard University to obtain his doctorate in Applied Physics. He joined the faculty of Case Western Reserve University in 1964 and trained over one hundred doctoral candidates in his life time. He was a consultant to industry, and founded Collaborative Planners, Inc., a research firm that specialized in magnetics.
In the last issue of Case Alumnus, we were not able, due to space constraints, to include a full obituary for Dr. Robert E. Collin, Professor Emeritus of the Department of Electrical Engineering at Case Western Reserve University, who passed away December 12, 2010. A special tribute page to Professor Collin follows.
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Resolution in Memory of Robert E. Collin Robert E. Collin was born on October 24, 1928 in Alberta, Canada. He received the B.Sc. degree in engineering physics, with great distinction, from the University of Saskatchewan in 1951. He obtained the PhD degree in electrical engineering from the University of London (Imperial College) in 1954. From Feb. 1954 to 1958 he was a Scientific Officer at the Canadian Armament Research and Development Establishment where he worked on guided missile antennas, radomes, and radar system evaluations. During this time he was also an adjunct Professor at Laval University and taught a graduate course on microwaves. He joined the Electrical Engineering Department at Case Institute of Technology in 1958, now Case Western Reserve University. “Bob” was a Case faculty member from 1958 until 1997. He served as chairman of the EEAP Department from 1977-82, Acting Dean of Engineering 1983-84, and Interim Dean of Engineering, 1987-89. He pioneered research into numerous areas of electromagnetics publishing over 150 papers on topics including guided waves, random surface scattering, theory of small antennas, Dyadic Green’s functions, small aperture coupling and others. He authored or co-authored five books which are regarded as seminal in the field: Field Theory of Guided Waves, McGraw-Hill International Series in Pure and Applied Physics, translated into Polish and Chinese and published in revised second edition; Principles and Applications of Electromagnetic Fields, published also in a special Asiatic edition; Foundations for Microwave Engineering, translated into Japanese, German, Chinese, and Portugese and published in revised second edition; Antenna Theory; and Antennas and Radiowave Propagation. A Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Bob was honored by the IEEE Antennas and Propagation society with its Distinguished Career Award in 1999, the Schelkunoff Prize Paper Award in 1992, and its Electromagnetics Field Award in 1999. In 1990 Bob was elected a member of the National Academy of Engineering for fundamental contributions to antenna theory, microwave engineering, and applied electromagnetic theory Additional honors include Outstanding Educator of America Award, 1975; CWRU Diekoff Award for Distinguished Graduate Teaching, 1984, and Distinguished Alumnus Award, Augustana University College. Over the years many of his former students discussed how grateful they were to have him as a teacher. Associates of these students also told them how fortunate they were. Bob was a member of the U.S.A. Commission B of URSI, Eta Kappa Nu, IEEE Microwave Theory and Techniques Society, IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society, American Geophysical Union and served on the Army Research Advisory Board of the National Research Council Committee, the editorial board of Electromagnetics Waves and Applications, and was chair of both the CAEME Technical Advisory Board and the Army Research Office External Review Board.
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Where are they now?
BRENT ROBINSON ’99 Past Case Alumni Association Scholarship Winner Major: Civil Engineering Graduate Degrees: Master of Science from North Carolina State University, 2006; Ph.D. Candidate, North Carolina State University Academic Achievement: Domenic Nero Memorial Scholarship; Summa cum laude; Tau Beta Pi Work experience since graduation: Research and Senior Engineer at GRL Engineers, Inc., in Solon, Ohio. GRL was founded by Case alumni Frank Rausche and Garland Likins with their former graduate advisor, Dr. George Goble. The firm provides testing and analysis of driven and drilled deep foundation elements for structures on land and marine environments in the United States and around the world. My CAA scholarship . . . “Was an important part of financing my education. It was also a tangible reminder of the success and generosity of the graduates of Case Institute of Technology and Case Western Reserve University that came before me.”
“I believe that engineering is an opportunity to see the world and to make it a little bit better.” ~ Brent Robinson ’99 My Case education . . . “Was a strong and broad theoretical foundation for a civil engineering career.” What I remember most . . . “CWRU ASCE Student chapter trips, Southside resident hall Spring Olympics and Adel Saada’s foundations course.”
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I wished I spent more time . . . “Taking advantage of the other institutions in University Circle. They are world class.” My advice for today’s engineering students is . . . “To engage your professors, graduate and undergraduate students. There is a lot to learn outside of the classroom.” I believe that engineering is . . . “An opportunity to see the world and to make it a little bit better.” My advice for new graduates is . . . “To find opportunities between disciplines or where they overlap. Professions are made by mixing different schools of engineering and scientific thought.”
OPTIONS— and OPPORTUNITIES This is a special time to reflect upon the many opportunities opened to you as a result of your Case engineering, science or management science degree. If you feel, as many do, that Case prepared you well for life, you may want to consider the many options available to give something back—while securing your financial future.
THE TIME MAY BE RIGHT FOR A CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITY A Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA) can give you a higher rate of return than other investments, guarantee a steady stream of income, give you an immediate tax-deduction and usually a portion of the income tax-free! Here is how it works: • Transfer cash or appreciated securities to the Case Alumni Foundation. For example $50,000 in securities in which you have a $25,000 capital gain. • If you are age 72, you will receive an annual income, payable quarterly, of $3,000 or 6% return on your gift. Rates vary depending on age. • You will receive a charitable deduction of $18,949. • Of your $3,000 annual payments, $858 will be ordinary income, $1,071 will be capital gain income and $1.071 will be tax-free and after 14.5 years the total will be ordinary income. • The remainder, after your lifetime, can be used to establish a scholarship or other special-purpose endowment fund for the benefit of the Case School of Engineering helping the next generation of students receive the opportunities of a Case education. For a personal illustration on a Charitable Gift Annuity, charitable trusts, term trusts, bequests and gift from IRA’s, contact Roger H. Cerne ’63 at roger.cerne@casealum.org, or 216-231-4567. Consider your options—and your opportunities!
CASE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION AND FOUNDATION, INC. Tomlinson Hall, Room 109 10900 Euclid Avenue Cleveland, Ohio 44106-7073
Non-profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Cleveland, Ohio Permit No. 2120
Case Alumni Association
126th ANNUAL ALL-CLASSES REUNION OCTOBER 13-16, 2011 In conjunction with Case Western Reserve University’s Alumni Weekend
Key Highlights: Friday, October 14 • University All-Alumni Class Luncheon (Horsburgh Gym) • Think Forums, Campus tours and events • Case Alumni Association All-Classes Banquet (InterContinental Hotel) Saturday, October 15 • University All-Alumni Weekend Breakfast (Alumni House) • Homecoming Tailgate Luncheon, Parade and CWRU-Hiram Football Game • Individual Class (ending in 1’s and 6’s) Reunion events FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO www.casealum.org/reunion2011