This year during homecoming, Case Western Reserve University will honor five individuals for their contributions to the university and beyond.
The Alumni Association Awards winners have found success in wide-ranging fields, from architecture to infectious diseases research to alumni relations.
The honorees will be recognized during the Homecoming Luncheon Friday, Oct. 11, at 11:30 a.m. in the Tinkham Veale University Center Kelvin and Eleanor Smith Foundation Ballroom. Register for the Homecoming Luncheon.
Read more about the winners below.
Newton D. Baker Distinguished Service Award
Honoring the legacy of former Cleveland Mayor and U.S. Secretary of War Newton D. Baker, this award recognizes significant service to the university by any alumnus or alumna, staff member, faculty or friend who has given their time, expertise or leadership generously, ensuring the prolonged welfare of the institution for generations to come.
Sara Fields
Sara Fields is director of alumni relations in the Office of Development and Alumni Relations at the School of Dental Medicine. Fields has worked in alumni relations for nearly 20 years for the School of Dental Medicine and was nominated for her efforts by School of Dental Medicine alumnus Mario Pavicic (DEN ‘92).
Outside of Case Western Reserve University, Fields lends her energy and expertise to community organizations, including Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. and The Singing Angels. In 2014, she was feted for her dedicated service by the Cleveland’s Forest City Dental Society.
Daniel T. Clancy Alumni Service Award
The Daniel T. Clancy Alumni Service Award is named in honor of the contributions of Dan Clancy (LAW ‘62) to the alumni of Case Western Reserve University. It recognizes an outstanding alumnus or alumna who has been active in alumni relations for at least 10 years and has made significant contributions to the alumni association(s) of Case Western Reserve University and their programs.
Nikki DiFilippo (MGT ’94)
Nominated by fellow alumna Susan Raia (WRC ‘83, MGT ‘85) and Senior Director of Alumni Relations of Weatherhead School of Management Shirley Reynolds, Nikki DiFilippo (MGT ’94) has served as president of The Alumni Association of Case Western Reserve (2013-15) and the Weatherhead School of Management Alumni Board (2007-08). An active volunteer with the university, she has served on numerous committees and served in a variety of other board positions.
In addition to her service to Case Western Reserve, DiFilippo is active in Opera Cleveland, American Marketing Association – Cleveland Chapter, Cleveland Rowing, Leadership Cleveland and JumpStart Inc., a nonprofit committed to accelerating the success of diverse entrepreneurs.
Young Alumni Award
The Young Alumni Award recognizes an outstanding alumnus or alumna of Case Western Reserve who is 35 years old or younger and has demonstrated excellence in his or her professional field and/or in service to the community, the public or humanity.
JP (James Paul) Graulty (CWR ’10)
JP (James Paul) Graulty (CWR ’10) was nominated by Samantha Cocco of the Begun Center for Violence Prevention Research and Education at the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences.
Graulty serves the community in a variety of roles, including as a health care navigator for Cleveland Catholic Charities Migration and Refugee Services, as well as a board member for the Interreligious Task Force on Central America and the Coalition with Young Adults.
Previously the assistant director of community partnerships for John Carroll University, Graulty recently chose to return to his alma mater to work as a research associate in the Community Innovation Network at the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences.
Professional Achievement Award
The Professional Achievement Award recognizes an alumnus or alumna who has achieved exceptional accomplishment in his or her career and has brought distinction to himself or herself and Case Western Reserve.
Moses Joloba (GRS ’96, GRS ’03, pathology)
Moses Joloba (GRS ’96, GRS ’03, pathology) was nominated by Professor Janet McGrath of CWRU’s anthropology department. Joloba is professor and dean of the School of Biomedical Sciences at Makerere University College of Health Sciences in Uganda. He has conducted extensive research on infectious diseases, including tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, pneumococcus and malaria. He also is a TB laboratory consultant for the World Health Organization.
Additionally, Joloba serves as a reviewer for six journals, has trained and mentored 37 master’s and 20 PhD students to completion of their studies, has published more than 180 peer-reviewed papers and obtained grants to further studies and programs.
Joloba’s daughter began her first year at CWRU this fall.
Distinguished Alumni Award
The Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes an alumnus or alumna who has made distinguished and outstanding contributions to his or her profession or field of interest and, over the course of a lifetime, brought benefit to his or her community, humanity and honor to the university.
Robert Madison (ARC ’48, HON ’04)
After graduating from CWRU’s School of Architecture, Robert Madison (ARC ’48, HON ’04) earned a master’s degree in architecture from Harvard University and completed additional studies as a Fulbright Scholar at L’Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris, France.
Overcoming racial barriers, Madison became the first African-American registered architect in Ohio in 1950. He went on to open the first African-American-owned architecture firm in Ohio, Robert P Madison International Inc. and leave his mark locally, nationally and internationally, as the company’s major projects have included the United States Embassy in Dakar, Senegal, the Nuclear Facility at Tuskegee Institute (Alabama) and the Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Madison is a CWRU Trustee Emeritus and has been honored as a CWRU Trailblazer, an initiative that recognizes distinguished Case Western Reserve University alumni, faculty, and administrators of color and women.