The Innerlink Newsletter Spring 2014

Cleveland State Univer sity College of Liberal Ar ts and Social Sciences

Cleveland State in China pg. 3

At Home in Africa pg.5

Study Abroad pg. 6 & 7

Spring 2014

Alumni Updates pg. 9

Visit us online at csuohio.edu/class/innerlink

College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences Dr. Gregory Sadlek, Dean Dr. Joyce Mastboom, Associate Dean Dr. William Morgan, Associate Dean

Staff Lesley Lang, Designer & Assistant Editor Jody Milkie, Editor

Contributors Tama Engelking Ed Horowitz Jane McCrone Harlan Smith Paul Wolansky

Table of Contents 1 Letter from the Dean 2

Fall 2013 CLASS Scholar and Reviving the Islamic Caliphate in Early Modern Morocco by Stephen Cory

3

CLASS visits China

4

6 New Scholarships and The Destruction of the Polish Elite: Operation AB–Katyn

5

At Home in Africa and Hungarian Studies

6

Study Abroad with CSU

7

For more information on The Big Switch visit

csuohio.edu/bigswitch/

Study Abroad with CSU (continued) and Study Abroad with Harlan Smith

8

Alumni Help Students Face Job Market Realities

9

CSU “On the Road” and Alumni Updates

Letter from the Dean Because the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS) is as well connected globally as it is locally, there is a decidedly international character to this spring’s issue of The Innerlink. As these pages demonstrate, CLASS students and faculty are indeed engaged with world history, art, languages, and cultures—from China to France, from Morocco to Costa Rica, from Senegal to Hungary. Professor Stephen Cory, for example, recently published a book about a past caliphate in northern Africa, and Professor Kathy Curnow is curating an art exhibition of objects from sub-Saharan Africa. The main exhibition (along with many ancillary activities) will be on display at the Galleries at CSU during the fall of 2014. Our current CSU Valedictorian, Dick Powis, traveled to Senegal to conduct studies in cultural anthropology. And CSU was fortunate to be the host of a traveling exhibition from Poland entitled “The Destruction of the Polish Elite: Operation AB-Katyn.”

We live in an age when communication technology and modern transportation have transformed the world, in many respects, into a global village, and yet it is still too easy for people to always remain in the protective bubble of their own culture. Being immersed for the first time in a different culture is often a wonderfully transformative experience, in which a student not only learns how people live in other parts of the globe but also becomes able to look back on his or her own culture with fresh eyes.

Indeed, study abroad has been identified by the Association of American Colleges and Universities as one of the best “high impact” learning experiences a student can have.

As you will see, CSU addresses this need by offering a number of interesting study abroad options in France, China, Costa Rica, and Spain. Moreover, my own 2013 trip, which I describe herein, helped to begin building even more opportunities for crosscultural exchanges with China.

If a student can’t travel to a different country, the university can (in a manner of speaking) bring that country to the student, and we strive to do this in a number of ways. For example, CSU is fortunate that, through support from the local HungarianAmerican community and an agreement with Fulbright Hungary, we will be able to share the insights of visiting Hungarian scholars in the areas of language, culture, history, or politics. The scholars will be in residence at CSU during the period 2014 through 2018 and will help us build our strengths and offerings in Central European culture.

These are only a few of the ways in which the college strives to make its transformative learning experiences available to the largest number of students possible. However, meeting the costs of higher education can be a real challenge for many of our students.

That is why I am delighted with the good work of our Senior Director of University Advancement, Paul Wolansky. Paul is helping to connect us even more closely to community supporters and alumni who can make a crucial difference in the lives of our students. As a result, we have received an unprecedented number of new permanent scholarships, established by generous donors and friends, over the past semester. We are more than grateful for this truly inspiring level of support, and we look forward to welcoming six new scholarship recipients to our college next fall.

Best wishes,

Gregory Sadlek

Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences

Reviving the Islamic Caliphate in Early Modern Morocco

By Stephen Cory

The Innerlink | Winter 2014 | Page 2

Historians have long grappled with the question of how Islamic civilization - so clearly dominant during the medieval period - could fall completely under Western hegemony in the modern age. Many Western writers answer this question by referencing European ingenuity, initiative, and transformative energy in contrast with Islamic parochialism, passivity, and resistance to change. This book challenges such assumptions by studying the career of an aggressive sultan in early-modern Morocco, Mulay Ahmad al-Mansur (r. 1578-1603), who dared to take on the international super-powers of his day and sought to redraw the map of Islamic Africa.

Al-Mansur is best known for launching a bold invasion across the Sahara desert to conquer the West African Songhay Empire.

Most historians ascribe strictly economic motives for this assault, stating that the sultan wished to capture the prosperous gold trade that had traveled for centuries from West Africa to the Mediterranean. Dr. Cory argues instead that Mulay Ahmad was pursuing more expansive goals than simply stuffing his coffers with West African gold, as evidenced by audacious claims made on his behalf in numerous panegyric texts produced by the sultan’s court. Through a detailed analysis of official histories, documents and correspondence, writings by European observers, and architectural evidence, he contends that the sultan sought to establish a Western caliphate that would eclipse the Ottoman Empire. Mulay Ahmad advanced this agenda through panegyric literature, elaborate court ceremonies, grand constructions, stunning military conquests, and astute diplomacy with European powers, Ottoman officials, and sub-Saharan rulers.

Such assertions of universal caliphal authority had not been seriously promoted in Islam for over three hundred years before al-Mansur’s reign. Thus al-Mansur sought to move his country forward into the modern age by returning to an institution that had governed Muslim lands during the fabled golden age of the Abbasid and Andalusian Umayyad caliphates. Through an investigation of the sultan’s ambitions and achievements Dr. Cory provides new insight into the history of relations between Muslim states and the West.

This overview was provided by Ashgate Publishing, Ltd. www.ashgate.com

Fall 2013 CLASS Scholars On the evening of December 5th, twelve CLASS Scholars, their families and friends, 26 CLASS faculty members, and 3 CLASS advisers gathered to celebrate the achievements of CLASS’s best and brightest students. This was another liminal experience—marking both endings and beginnings. Because the CLASS Valedictorian, Dick Powis, was also selected as this semester’s university Valedictorian, there was even more to celebrate. After a short career as a chef, Mr. Powis entered CSU at age 24, determined to study anthropology. He accomplished his goal and has graduated with a BA in anthropology and minors in French and biology. During his busy years at CSU, he participated in many departmental cocurricular activities and conducted anthropological research (in French) for two summers in Senegal.

This research was funded by Provost summer undergraduate research funding. He received several awards and honors, including a Radiance Scholarship, a John D. Holm Scholarship, and a Samuel H. Miller Scholarship. In addition, he was chosen “Emerging Leader in Medical Anthropology” by the national Society for Medical Anthropology. After graduation, Mr. Powis plans to pursue both a Ph.D. in Anthropology as well as a Master’s Degree in Public Health. All in all, he is a wonderful example of what our non-traditional CLASS students can accomplish, and all signs point to a successful upcoming career in academia.

Dick Powis and Dean Gregory Sadlek at the CLASS Scholar dinner on December 5, 2013.

On a rainy November morning at Guangxi University in Nanning, China, just north of the border with Vietnam, two faculty colleagues and I walked into a concert hall behind our hosts. After we seated ourselves, we listened to a concert of traditional Chinese music, played on traditional Chinese instruments, some of which had been hand-made by the Guangxi Music faculty. The students were dressed in colorful Chinese costumes, and the music they made was delicate and otherworldly. The music stopped. The students readjusted themselves, and they suddenly burst forth in a lively rendition of John Philip Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes Forever” on those same traditional Chinese instruments! It was a moving and almost giddy moment for the three American guests of honor. Later that morning, my colleague, Grammy Award-winning Angelin Chang, returned the favor by playing classical piano pieces for our Chinese hosts and giving a master class to some of their best music students. That morning, music built bridges that mere talk could not.

This was just one stop on a successful 11-day, five-city tour that I took last November with my colleagues Dr. Qingshan Tan, a professor in our Department of Political Science and Dr. Chang. I had been wanting for some time now to open our college up to China, and over the summer of 2013 the opportunities arrived...all at once. The purpose of this particular trip was to explore partnerships with three different Chinese institutions of higher education: Guangxi University, Jilin University (in Shenyang), and Northeast University (in Changchun), each of which had previously expressed interest in cooperating with CSU. (We also had encouraging discussions with the leadership of the Shanghai Conservatory of Music.) At each stop, we typically met with deans and faculty leaders in the areas of music, English, and political science. The food and the hospitality were unparalleled. The CSU delegation gave lectures or performances to eager student audiences. (Dr. Tan spoke on Sino-American relations, and I spoke about the state of the humanities in America.) A full range of partnership activities, including student exchanges, faculty exchanges, joint-degree programs, and summer programs were considered. Moreover, several of the universities were interested in recruiting American students to come to China to teach English. As an earnest on future cooperation, we signed Memoranda of Understanding with each of the three universities.

A trip like this, wonderful as it was, is only the first step in the long process of building active and productive inter-university partnerships.

International partnerships, like flower gardens, need constant tending.

Last year we were fortunate to have a visiting scholar from Jilin University, Ronglan Zhu, in our Department of Modern Languages.

Next year we will host another such scholar. These human connections are invaluable for making our ties concrete. In addition, over the spring semester I will be working with our colleagues in the College of Education and Human Services to craft a 2 + 2 + 1 program in English and the Teaching of English as a Second Language specifically for Chinese students and looking for CSU graduates who might be interested in traveling to China to teach English. These efforts will, we hope, fully integrate CLASS into the larger CSU initiative of building ties to that giant, ancient, and emerging neighbor just across the Pacific.

Greg Sadlek, Dean, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences

Cleveland State University

College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences

China visits

Unprecedented Number of Permanent Scholarships Established in CLASS over Past Semester The College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences has been the grateful recipient of the generosity of alumni, emeriti faculty and friends over the past six months.

“Having the opportunity to hear the powerful stories of our donors has been incredible” notes Paul Wolansky, Senior Director, University Advancement. “And seeing the goodwill they feel towards CSU put into action through their support has been both awe-inspiring and humbling.” Wolansky added, “These six new scholarships— along with the two scholarships created in summer 2013—will exist in perpetuity. Each year, the lives of eight students will be changed forever. Imagine the impact of these scholarships over the next few years and beyond!”

“These scholarships will be transformational in the lives of our students by providing an additional support mechanism to help them complete their degrees.

The access to a CSU education that comes from these gifts is extraordinary,” commented Dr. Gregory Sadlek, Dean of the College. “I could not be more thrilled by this news and I offer my most heartfelt thanks —on behalf of the College and our students—to this group of marvelous individuals.”

If you would like to help a CSU student by creating your own scholarship, please contact Paul Wolansky, Senior Director, University Advancement at p.wolansky@csuohio.edu or (216) 875-9838.

Scholarships in music, history, creative writing, sociology and criminology will join the Michael J. Agnich Endowed Scholarship in Anthropology and the W. Benoy Joseph Endowed Scholarship in Music and Theatre in this new wave of opportunities provided to the College by its supporters.

The Innerlink | Winter 2014 | Page 4

Our Six New Scholarships in CLASS • The Dr. Judith A. Eckelmeyer Endowed Graduate Scholarship

in Music • The Janice A. Holkenborg Endowed Scholarship in Music • The Julia Ella Rene Kunes Endowed Scholarship in Sociology and Criminology • The Dr. William R. Martin Memorial Endowed Scholarship in Voice • The Raab-Brennan Endowed Scholarship in Creative Writing • The Marjorie B. Shorrock Endowed Graduate Fellowship in History

Scholarships and program fund established in summer 2013

• The Michael J. Agnich Endowed Scholarship in Anthropology • The Michael J. Agnich Archaeology Fund • The W. Benoy Joseph Endowed Scholarship in Music and Theatre

Polish Studies Presented the Exhibit:

The Destruction of the Polish Elite: Operation AB–Katyn at the Michael Schwartz Library Last November, Polish Studies brought to campus the historical exhibit “The Destruction of the Polish Elite: Operation AB– Katyn.” This exhibit shed light on crimes perpetrated by the Third Reich and the Soviet Union at the beginning of World War II, and was on display for two weeks on the main floor of the Michael Schwartz Library.

This traveling exhibit was prepared by the Public Education Office of the Institute of National Remembrance in Poland and was made available to Cleveland State University by the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Chicago.

The exhibit presented a wide range of historical analysis of the crimes at Katyn.

The first part of the exhibit depicted the Soviet-German political and military alliance in the years 1939-1941, as well as the joint invasion of Poland, its partition and occupation, during which the cooperative powers introduced their destructive policy towards the citizens of the conquered country. The next parts presented the two notorious criminal operations of 1940, first the Massacre in the Katyn Forests, and then the AB Operation.

In conjunction with this exhibit, Maria Szonert Binienda, president of the Libra Institute, held a discussion on this historical event on November 20 in which she detailed the continuing legal difficulties in retrieving historical records about these crimes that had been collected by the Soviet Union.

4 Scholars in 4 Years:

Hungarian Studies at Cleveland State University College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences

Design, Beauty and Pleasing Irregularity in Domestic Settings

Top Photo; Professor Curnow wielding a Swahili spoon. Middle Photo; Four students are At Home In Africa interns, aka “The Home Team.” Left to right: Janet Purday (MA, Art History), Valerie Clark (Art History), Sharelle Sturdivant (Photography), Hannah Eaton (Art History).

Over the years, based on community support, CLASS has been quietly building resources in the area of Central European Studies. The latest step forward comes in the area of Hungarian Studies. Responding to interest and financial support from the local Hungarian-American community, CLASS agreed to sponsor a one-year visit during the academic year 2014-15 of a Fulbright Scholar who specializes in Hungarian language and linguistics. The scholar, whose name will be revealed as soon as the Fulbright appointment is made official later this spring, will be housed in our Department of Modern Languages. Building upon this agreement, the Fulbright Office in Hungary proposed an even more ambitious project, described in a Memorandum of Understanding signed by Dean Sadlek and Fulbright Director Károly Jókay in November 2013. Under the terms of this agreement, CLASS will host annual Fulbright Scholars for an additional three years, beginning in the fall of 2015.

These scholars will be chosen for their expertise in some aspect of Hungarian Studies, whether it be language, culture, history or politics. The addition of Hungarian courses to our offerings will nicely complement the work currently being done by our Polish Studies Initiative and in our Center for Slovenian Studies.

At Home in Africa It is a humble wooden sandal that lost its mate, so heavily used that toe prints are embedded in its surface. Despite all odds, it made its way from Tanzania to Cleveland and will be on display during the At Home in Africa exhibition at The Galleries at CSU from August 27 through October 4, 2014.

Curator Kathy Curnow, associate professor of African Art History, says that she and her “Home Team,” four student interns from the art department, want to throw open the door to Africa, inviting Clevelanders to appreciate a variety of domestic designs, as well as to gain a better understanding of lifestyle contexts.

“Many Americans are uncomfortable with Africa. Our past participation in slavery, unfamiliarity with the map, the legacy of Tarzan and the myth of ‘the Dark Continent’—all these have created barriers that distance and unease reinforce,” says Curnow. “The show’s not only about beautiful African domestic arts like furniture, pottery, baskets, clothing, and jewelry. It’s also about making people feel more at home, at ease, with the continent, by reminding them of the universal activities of human life. Objects have a lot of stories to tell.”

Graphic patterns and striking shapes certainly mark the items that will be in the exhibition. They include objects from CSU’s own Howard A. Mims African American Cultural Center collection, as well as loans from institutions such as the University of Pennsylvania’s Penn Museum, The Cleveland Museum of Art, Detroit Institute of Arts, University of Michigan Museum of Art, Kent State University, and others. “We’re waiting for final word from the Smithsonian,” says Curnow.

Many students and alumni are already involved. Theatre students, under professor Russ Borski’s leadership, are designing and constructing architectural display elements for the gallery, recent grad Thomas Dang will create the catalogue layout, art education students are working with professor Andres Peralta to create associated teachers’ lesson plans, and communication students will be working with adjunct professor Eric Siler of ideastream® to produce a documentary about Africans in Cleveland and their memories of home.

“Supporting community partners already include the AIGA Cleveland chapter, as well as Global Cleveland. The Cleveland Council on World Affairs, the City Club of Cleveland, Facing History and the Center for Arts-Inspired Learning are also involved with associated programming,” says Curnow. “We want to involve other interested parties to create an exciting welcome mat for the university and city communities. CLASS is generously supporting our digital efforts, and we continue to seek additional funding for the exhibition and its satellite projects.”

Study Abroad with CSU The National Survey of Student Engagement identifies study abroad as one of the “high impact” learning experiences that can change a student’s life forever.

Ask any of the hundreds of CSU students who have to appeal to students studying foreign languages and cultures participated in the study abroad programs directed by faculty as well as those in related disciplines where global competency from the Department of Modern Languages at Cleveland will be a plus. Here are some examples of what you can do in the upcoming summers: State University. You might hear stories of realizing a dream of visiting the Eiffel A life-changing experience that’s Our summer 2014 program in France Tower, of bursting into tears at the takes place in Clermont-Ferrand, the world breathtaking beauty of Córdoba’s historic headquarters of the Michelin Corporation. mosque, or of snorkeling with nurse sharks not just for language majors!

Located in a region of South Central in the Caribbean. Last year about 1% France known for its distinctive “puys,” of CSU’s total student population took advantage of study or extinct volcanoes, this program includes a field study abroad opportunities. They joined the ranks of the more project that students design to fit their diverse interests. These than 283,000 students from the U.S. who studied abroad in interdisciplinary projects help them gain an intercultural 2012-2013. According to the 2013 Open Doors Report on perspective on their major whether it is French, International International Educational Exchange, that’s an all time high Relations, Urban Studies, Business, or Art History. and part of a national boom in study abroad programs.

Students participating in our Costa Rica program have the Recent destinations for faculty-led summer programs at option of taking Spanish language and culture courses as well Cleveland State included China, France, Spain and Costa as courses taught in English that can count toward majors in Rica. Summer 2014 offers students the opportunity to earn 6 Health Sciences, Business, Criminology, or Environmental to 12 credits participating in study abroad programs that range Studies. Costa Rica’s unique mix of tropical forests, volcanic from three to five weeks. With a focus on global competencies mountain ranges and coastal areas makes it a great destination that includes intercultural skills in addition to language for students studying the environment, Ecotourism, or Tropical competence, our study abroad programs help prepare students Medicine. to shift perspectives and consider culture from a world view The program to China, organized by Modern Languages faculty other than their own. An extended stay abroad, especially in conjunction with the College of Business and sponsored in one living with a family that speaks little or no English, forces part by the Confucius Institute at CSU, focuses on China in students to step outside of their comfort zones and into an the Global Economy. It offers students two tracks: business or unfamiliar space where intercultural learning can happen. contemporary culture. All students take courses in Mandarin

The Innerlink | Winter 2014 | Page 6

Study Abroad

Study abroad is not just for foreign language majors. We invite students from all areas of the university to participate in these life changing experiences, and have developed curricula

Chinese, tour companies in Beijing and Shanghai, and visit some of China’s ancient sites such as the Forbidden City and, of course, the Great Wall.

Summer 2014: June 15 – July 15

France (Clermont-Ferrand and Paris)

Studying Abroad with

Summer 2014: July 4 – August 9

Harlan Smith

Contact Dr. Annie Jouan-Westlund email: a.jouanwestlund@csuohio.edu

Costa Rica (San José)

Contact Dr. Matias Martinez Abeijon email: m.martinezabeijon@csuohio.edu Summer 2014: May 9 – June 9

China (Beijing and Shanghai) Contact Qizhi Zhang email: q.zhang@csuohio.edu

Summer 2015: June 3-29 tentative dates

France (Rouen and Paris) Contact Dr. Tama Engelking email: t.engelking@csuohio.edu Summer 2015: July tentative dates

Spain (Salamanca and Barcelona) Contact Dr. Stephen Gingerich email: s.gingerich@csuohio.edu

Students traveling to Spain (upcoming in summer 2015) will live with families in Salamanca, the best-known university city in Spain and one that boasts a rich and diverse history. The four-week program, with an option for an additional 4 days in Barcelona, offers students a wide range of courses while being immersed in contemporary Spanish life. Excursions include visits to Madrid’s museums and palaces, Segovia’s aqueduct, Toledo’s medieval quarter, and Santiago de Compostela, the destination of pilgrims from throughout Western Europe.

The summer of 2015 will also offer students the opportunity to get to know Cleveland’s sister city, Rouen, located on the Norman coast in France. The birthplace of impressionism, Normandy is a historically important region known for its cuisine, cathedrals, picturesque beaches and port cities, and the role it played in WWII. Students take morning conversation classes with afternoons devoted to visiting sites such as the D-day landing beaches, Claude Monet’s gardens at Giverny, and the monastery at Mont Saint Michel. Like the French program in Clermont-Ferrand, a five-day stay in Paris concludes the time abroad.

If you’ve already studied a language for several years in high school, consider adding a language minor. This additional credential will make you more competitive in a job market where global competencies are expected. Whatever your career path may be, engaging in study abroad is a transformative experience that shouldn’t be missed. For more details, check out the study abroad web site or contact the study abroad program directors listed above.

We asked Harlan Smith, Director of the Center for International Services and Programs a few questions on why he thinks it is important to study abroad and where he sees the center going.

What are the benefits of studying abroad? The benefits of education abroad are about personal growth and discovery of self. By leaving the material and emotional comforts of “home,” a student will learn about themselves in ways that are impossible within the U.S. In addition, and perhaps most importantly, the study abroad student will learn to see the world – and themselves – through a different lens. It takes time for this new lens to develop – and that is why education abroad professionals recommend a longer period of study abroad vs. the short-term trend that has now become the norm. One of the biggest benefits of education abroad is that students will come to better understand who they are – and that discovery will, in turn, better inform them about what they want to be in the world.

What is your goal/duty/mission for the center? The purpose of the Center for International Services and Programs is to provide excellent internationally-focused service to the campus community. The service mission of the Center is central to who we are and pertains to special populations, like international students or international research personnel. In addition, the Center serves as a primary locus – or hub – for campus-wide international programs, initiatives, and endeavors – like study abroad advisement and international agreement development and implementation. I think that my own professional duty or purpose is to serve as a combination Chief International Officer, International Student Advocate, Study Abroad Cheerleader, General Immigration Geek, and International Risk Expert.

That’s perhaps not the most elegant way to describe one’s role or purpose – but I see myself as being of value to the campus community in these particular areas.

Is there anything you would like to share? CSU’s international portfolio is strong and poised for further expansion. As with all things in higher education, our continued strength and future growth will depend on resources - and I am truly hopeful that we will be on the short list as strategic campus resources are allocated, especially as it pertains to very scarce things like education abroad scholarships funding. Education abroad participation is one of the key areas where we have the ability – perhaps even the imperative – to grow. I also think that we have to explore the natural nexus that exists between the efforts of our diversity partners on campus and the work being done at the CISP – there are great partnership possibilities there.

Where can one learn more about the study abroad programs at CSU? Ms. Julie Good, Manager for Education Abroad, CSU Center for International Services and Programs, Main Classroom Building, Suite 106F.

Alumni Help Students Face Job Market Realities Three alumni panels were held over the past four months addressing the question: “What Can I Do With a Liberal Arts and Social Sciences Degree?” A separate fourth panel, moderated by alumna Anita Woodward (’88 BA Communication, ’99 MBA) was held prior to Homecoming Weekend featuring School of Communication graduates.

CLASS alumni panelists shared their answers to this question with current students as part of the College’s alumni outreach. Alumni shared insights and wisdom on succeeding in a challenging job market, but reassured students that, with hard work and an open mind, they could succeed. “I feel a lot less nervous,” said current communication management student Crystal Prizner (’14), “after attending the panel. It was reassuring to hear the alumni speak.” Liberal Arts and Social Sciences students have good reason to feel confident about their future career prospects. A recent report analyzing Census data, released by the Association of American Colleges and Universities, notes “At peak earnings ages (56-60 years) workers who majored as undergraduates in the humanities or social sciences earn annually on average about $2,000 more than those who majored as undergraduates in professional or pre-professional fields.”

v Ken Mather (’91 BA Communication), Assistant Commissioner, Media and Public Relations, Mid-American Conference. v Martin J. O’Toole (’82 BA English), Vice President, Compliance Solutions Business Team at GOJO Industries. v Dee Perry (’81 BA Communication), Senior Host and Producer, “The Sound Of Applause” ideastream. v Gretchen Schuler (’98 MA History), Vice President, Insurance Risk Management and Technical Documentation, Invacare Corporation. v Karen Podojil (’98 MSW), Licensed Social Worker. v Denise Polverine (’91 BA Communication), Director of Digital Operations, Northeast Ohio Media Group. v George Pursey (’81 BA and ’83 MA Communication), Market Director, Specialty Products Business Unit, Novelis Corporation. v Joe Sheppa (’99 BA and ’01 MA Communication), Interactive Content Manager, ideastream. v James Weikamp (’04 BA and ’05 MA Economics), Associate, Benesch Friedlander Coplan & Aronoff.

Homecoming 2013 brings 100+ CLASS alumni back to campus!

Left to right: Liz Lehfeldt, Laura M. Hardin, Karen Kaminski, Codi Keenan and Gregory Sadlek

CSU’s Homecoming Weekend was a success and gave alumni, many attending the School of Communication and the Economics Department special reunions, an opportunity to visit a muchchanged campus. Homecoming 2014 is already scheduled for Saturday, October 11, 2014 and we want to see you there!

Registration information will be available in August.

The panels were moderated by Dr. Elizabeth Lehfeldt, chair of the History Department and Dr. Joel Lieske, professor of political science.

The Innerlink | Winter 2014 | Page 8

A special thank you to all of our panelists, including: v Jim Brazytis (’94 BA Communication), Marketing Communications Manager, Avery Dennison. v Ed Gallagher (’92 BA Music), Director of Education & Creative Arts Therapies, Beck Center. v Kevin Goodman (’85 BA Political Science), Managing Director of Business Development, BlueBridge Networks, LLC. v Laura M. Hardin (’99 BA Communication), Corporate Communications Manager for Nestle Professional. v Karen Kaminski, SPHR (’93 BA Political Science, ‘00 JD), Vice President, Human Resources, Caesars Entertainment (Horseshoe Casino and ThistleDown Racino). v Codi Keenan (’05 BA English), Assistant Vice President, Sr. Business Training Manager, Key Community Bank Management Associate Program. v Patricia Leebove (’94 BA and ’96 MA English, ’06 MBA), Business Relationship Manager, Eaton Corporation and member, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences Visiting Committee.

“From CSU to ESPN” Homecoming participants packed the house to hear featured alumni speaker, Dwayne Bray (’88 BA Communication) present his personal story of how he arrived in his current position of Senior Coordinating Producer for ESPN. Alumni and current students listened with rapt attention to his “CSU story” about the many opportunities that opened up for him through his Cleveland State education. The return to CSU was all the more meaningful as both Dwayne and his wife Natalie celebrated their birthdays that weekend!

Visit the CLASS Facebook page to see extended coverage of Homecoming along with highlights of the many volunteers who helped plan this successful weekend.

“CSU On the Road!”

CSU’s Paul Wolansky visited Vikings from Washington, D.C. to New York City in October 2013 to provide updates on the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences.

v Dr. Frank Scarpitti (’58 BA) is the Edward F. and Elizabeth Goodman Rosenberg Professor Emeritus of Sociology at the University of Delaware. v Dr. Zolton Acs (’72 BA Economics) is the Director, Center for Entrepreneurship and Public Policy and University Professor at George Mason University in Washington D.C. v David Allen (’73 BA) is proud of the work he has done as CEO of Kevric Company, which provides management, technical, and scientific support services to private and public sector clients, located in Maryland. David’s son Kevin was featured on Donald Trump’s The Apprentice Season Two. v Michael W. Parsons (’73 BA English) is the Senior Director of Sales Strategic Initiatives, DuPont Nutrition & Health, New Century, Kansas. Michael’s daughter, Laura M. Hardin (’99 BA Communication) was a featured alumni career panelist. v Gary B. Gorton (’77 MA Economics) is the Frederick Frank Class of 1954 Professor of Management and Finance, Yale School of Management, New Haven, Connecticut. v James Primosch (’78 BMus Music) is the Dr. Robert Weiss Professor of Music at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. v William Miller, MSW, LCSW (’85 BA Communication) is a Social Worker for 1199 SEIU Funds, New York City. v William Spetrino (’87 MA Economics) is Regional Director, Northeast Region and Sr. Vice President – Market Director, PNC, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. v Cyd Upson (BA Communication) is a senior producer at Fox News in New York City. v Joseph A. Stuczynski (’90 BA Communication) is Program Director, Information Technology for A+E Networks. v Lisa Abrams, Ph.D. (’98 BA Art) recently stepped down as Curator at New York City’s Museum for African Art to stay at home with new son, Dash. Lisa lives in Greenwich, Connecticut and sends along her good wishes to all of her CSU friends, including Art History faculty mentor Dr. Kathy Curnow.

Pictured here, in their home in Connecticut, are Lisa, Marc, and baby Dashiel.

v Eugene Yakubov, CDM, CFFP (’06 BA Political Science and History) specializes in operations, system development, outreach and food policy with his company, E.Y. Group Food Service & Nutritional Consulting.

College of Liberal Arts and Social S ci en ces

Alumni Updates Dennis Roche (’70 BA English, ’74 MS Urban, ’85 MA Accounting) to Senior Associate, Dorsey & Company, Strategic Consultants to Management, Cleveland.

David Taddie (’77 BMus and ’89 MMus Music) is a Professor of Music Theory and Composition and Director of the Electronic Music Studio, West Virginia University.

Paul Kozel (’79 BMus Music) is Professor of Music and Audio Technology, City University of New York.

Frederick W. Bianchi (’80 BMus Music) is Professor, Humanities and Arts and Director of Computer Music Research, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Massachusetts.

J. Brandon Davis (’03 BA International Relations) is Director of Industrial Manufacturing at URS Corp. Congratulations to Brandon who was recognized as a rising business star in Crain’s Cleveland Business “Forty under 40” for 2013.

B.R. Tatalovic (’05 BA Communication) is Assistant Professor, Creative Arts Division at Cuyahoga Community College.

Jessica Sutherland (’06 BA Communication) launched “Homeless to Howard,” an online fund-raising campaign and also appeared on the TV show “Ellen.” See the full story on clevelandstate.tumblr.com.

Paul Benevich (’82 BA Communication) is a copywriter who specializes in advertising, marketing, and branding and lives in New York City.

Frank Joseph Pekoc (‘82 MMus Music) is a Product Specialist at Studio Consultants, Inc., based in New York City.

Dennis O’Toole (’84 BA Communication) is Vice President Marketing, Manitowoc Foodservice, Ovens and Advanced Cooking.

David K. Ehlert (’87 BA Communication) is Director, Research Operations, University Hospitals Case Medical Center.

John McCann (’87 BA Political Science) is the CEO of Mace Security International, well-known maker of pepper spray and other security devices.

John, and other leaders from Mace, opened their new corporate headquarters in the Midtown neighborhood earlier this autumn. Mace recently consolidated both their Pennsylvania and Vermont operations in Cleveland which will create 50 new jobs within a few years. Also of note, Richard Barone, Mace’s chairman of the board is a member of the CSU Foundation Board of Directors.

Left to right, James Ward, Ellen Degeneres, and Jessica Sutherland.

Carolyn Kane (’08 MA Communication) is a Product Evangelist at Hyland Software.

Paul Mills (’08 BA and ’10 MA Economics) returned to CSU’s campus to present “The Effect of Social Rewards on Intrinsically Motivated Donations,” as part of the College’s Social Science Brown Bag Series.

Paul Mills is a teaching fellow in the Department of Marketing & Entrepreneurship at Kent State University and shared research that he conducted with colleagues Jennifer Wiggins Johnson and Pamela Grimm.

Faith Boone (’09 BA Communication) is an on-air Social Media Specialist at WEWS NewsChannel 5.

Her husband, Matthew Boone also has CSU ties.

He’s a current graduate student in the Consumer/ Industrial-Organizational Research program at CSU’s College of Science and Health Professions.

Josh Usmani (’13 BA Art) is a 27-year-old local artist, curator and writer whose work has been featured in over 50 local and regional exhibitions.

John McCann, left, cuts ribbon at Mace’s grand opening.

Peter Anthony Caleb (’88 BMus Music) is the Director of Library Services, Manhattan School of Music, New York.

Carlo LoParo (’93 BA Communication) is Vice President of Public Relations, Strategic Public Partners.

“MADE IN CLEVELAND,” a film called “witty, very funny and original” by critics during its 2013 theatrical release, was conceived by 1031 Films, a production company led by CSU alumni Eric Swinderman (’00 BA Communication), Mark Pengryn (’07 MA Communication) and Amy Tankersley Swinderman (’01 BA Communication), all former students of the School of Communication’s film studies program.

College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences 2121 Euclid Avenue RT 1822 Cleveland, OH 44115-2214

Join us for our Spring Open House Saturday, March 29 For more information visit csuohio.edu/events/openhouse/