While gray skies weren’t on the homecoming schedule, they didn’t stop Case Western Reserve University students, alumni, family and friends from enjoying the celebration.
The weekend kicked off Thursday evening with Blue Bash at the Thwing Center, where the university community came together to celebrate the accomplishments of CWRU student-athletes and enjoy student performances.
On Friday, at the annual Alumni Association Homecoming Luncheon, President Eric W. Kaler provided updates on the construction of the Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Building, discussed this year’s progress toward the university’s Faculty 100 initiative, and highlighted some trends in undergraduate majors—including the national doubling of students opting to major in computer science since 2014.
Kaler also reiterated the university priorities of elevating academic excellence, expanding the research enterprise and enhancing engagement with the community.
“We also want to come down out of our ivory tower, be part of our community, work with our neighbors to improve their lives, improve the situation of Cleveland and East Cleveland and Northeast Ohio in general and we’re committed to doing that,” Kaler said. “And all of that, we do on a bedrock, on a foundation of a commitment to diversity and inclusive excellence, because it’s a simple fact that you cannot be excellent if you don’t have diverse points of view.”
Luncheon guests also celebrated five CWRU community members making a difference in Cleveland, on campus and beyond at the presentation of this year’s Alumni Association Awards:
- Distinguished Alumni Award, Joseph A. Helpern, PhD (WRC ’77)
- Professional Achievement Award, Capricia P. Marshall, JD (LAW ’90)
- Newton D. Baker Distinguished Service Award, Lillian Miller Emmons, PhD (GRS ’81, health science education; GRS ’89, anthropology)
- Daniel T. Clancy Alumni Service Award, Linda Berry Wheatt (FSM ’72; GRS ’77, education)
- Young Alumni Award, Justin M. Bibb, JD (LAW ’18, MGT ’18)
As part of milestone reunions for class years ending in four and nine, schools and organizations hosted a variety of events that brought the CWRU community together, including:
- The Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences’s 2024 Grace Longwell Coyle Lecture and Chairs Celebration;
- A Pediatric Dentistry Symposium from the School of Dental Medicine;
- The School of Law’s Barristers Golden Brunch;
- A tour of the Case Amateur Radio Station with Case School of Engineering;
- A state-of-the-school address to provide updates on Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing;
- The College of Arts and Sciences’ annual IGNITE celebration of alumni and supporters;
- A “Day in the Life of a Medical Student” presentation and breakfast from the School of Medicine; and
- A networking lunch for students and new alumni of Weatherhead School of Management.
CWRU sports fans bundled up in their best blue and gray and continued the fun at Saturday’s Spartan Tailgate before the homecoming football game against the Carnegie Mellon Tartans at DiSanto Field. CWRU fell to the visitors 37-30, but it wasn’t enough to dampen the celebration.
At halftime, 2024 homecoming royalty were announced. The homecoming court included Alex Flores, Alivia Cook, Amman Spencer, Cierra Burchett, Jeanine Longo, Jocelyn Martinez, Kaia Kanj, Kate Li, Marlise Korzep and Mira Sethi.
Be sure to save the date for Oct. 9-12, 2025, and join us for next year’s homecoming festivities!