Celebrating our scholarship recipients

One of the longstanding traditions held annually by the Case Alumni Association is the Junior-Senior Scholarship Program. The generous donations of our alumni – many of whom received this very same scholarship as students at Case – make these awards possible. Every year, the Case Alumni Association solicits academic advisors and department chairs in engineering, math and applied sciences to nominate sophomores and juniors with a 3.0 grade point average or higher, pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree, among other requirements.

This year we received 139 applications from rising sophomores and juniors. All applicants interviewed with the scholarship committee during the week of Feb. 27 in Tomlinson Hall. We also conducted eight separate Skype interviews for students away on study-abroad or on co-op. student body. Nerves were evident in some, but it was a joy to spend time getting to know our amazing students a little bit better – from learning about their favorite hobbies and extracurricular activities to what they would change about Case if they could “wave a magic wand!”

In total, the Case Alumni Association awarded $525,900 of new scholarships ranging from $1,400 to $9,000. The students received details of their award notification during spring break. Afterward, we invited all of our new scholars to Tomlinson Hall on March 23 for a celebratory reception with faculty, advisors, alumni and staff. Dean Duerk, Scholarship Committee Chair Joe Fakult and two current Junior-Senior scholars, Tyler Eston and Khailing Neoh, offered words of encouragement and congratulations to the students.

-- Janna W. Greer, Manager of Donor Relations and Grants

Case Alumni Association sat down with two of our scholarship recipients to learn more about their passions and motivations.

Michelle Chin – Junior Biomedical Engineering Major with Minors in Electrical Engineering and Spanish

Michelle Chin loves music and finds Case Western Reserve University to be one of the best places to harmonize both her academic pursuits and passions. “I came to Case to study biomedical engineering, but I have been playing violin since I was four years old,” Michelle said. “A big determining factor for why I chose Case is the on-campus partnership with the Cleveland Institute of Music. I am currently in a chamber class at CIM. My favorite part about being here is the ability to balance engineering and creativity; both of which I’m very passionate about.”

Without the resources provided by Case Western Reserve, Michelle never would have been able to create the CWRU Music Therapy Club, which provides music therapy to patients and their families at various clinical facilities in the University Circle area.

“I volunteered with a similar group in my high school where we went every week after school to our local hospitals. After a year at Case, I really missed that experience. I spoke about it with my friends and decided to start the club. It is a great opportunity not only to help patients and their families, but for students to share their music as well,” Michelle said.

Michelle found the scholarship process rewarding, even helping her feel better as she plans for her future. “My financial situation changed recently. Having this scholarship will not only help me now, but also the rest of my family in the future. I have a younger sister who is currently looking at colleges, so every little bit of money helps. I am studying biomedical engineering, but going into law. That is another three years of schooling that I need to pay for and this scholarship will definitely help me with that.”

--Julia Pilla

Seth Grable, Junior Physics and Math Major

This is Seth Grable’s third year in college, but his first at Case. A non-traditional student who transferred from the University of Akron, Seth said there were fewer higher-level courses he could take there. “When I came to Case, there were so many options. I wanted to take everything all at once. I realized though that I needed to ease myself into these classes by taking them in order, making sure I was knowledgeable and prepared for each.”

Though his path may not be typical, Seth has shown academic excellence and currently holds a 4.0 GPA. Seth’s focus in high school was playing drums for a band but there was always an underlying interest in the sciences. Some of the other musicians he met inspired him to learn more about science.

“When I was 15, I read a book called “Just Six Numbers” by Martin Rees. Then I read books by Stephen Hawking and other physicists and scientists,” Seth said. After his group disbanded, Seth enrolled at the University of Akron at age 25. “I did so well my first year that I doubled up on everything my second. After that, I came to Case,” he said.

On why he chose Case, Seth added, “Case historically has been known for physics, and I wanted to go to a school with a sense of community. My favorite part about Case is going to my professors’ office hours and talking with them one on one.”

Pleasantly surprised and grateful on his nomination for a scholarship, Seth said the process was great. “It was cool to be interviewed by alumni - it was engaging and I could visibly see them really wanting to share their experiences with me,” he said. “Receiving this scholarship makes you feel like you’re on the right track; it’s rewarding and validating. It creates a tangible feeling for me that everything will pay off in the end.” --Julia Pilla