When it comes to firsthand knowledge of Case Western Reserve, Thomas Lipker has plenty—six-years’ worth, to be exact. Now entering his seventh and final year at CWRU, the third-year law student is putting this background to work as the incoming Graduate Student Council (GSC) president. With the new academic year underway, he’s eager to make a lasting impact by addressing the needs of the diverse graduate student body.
Lipker’s CWRU journey began as an undergraduate when he left his smalltown of Oakwood Village, Ohio, to major in music and economics. With added minors in business management and accounting, he built an academic foundation that prepared him for his next pursuit: law school.
“I had a deep love for music, especially having a speech impediment when I was younger,” he explained. “Music helped me grow out of my shell as a part of various ensembles. It felt natural to pursue a music degree, but I also understood at an early age that I wanted to go into law, so it became a question of how to combine music, business and law into one.”
He took his first steps toward his JD as a participant in the School of Law’s JumpStart program, which introduced him to the rigorous demands he would experience as a student. The program, designed to help students transition smoothly to law studies, provided Lipker with essential tools for success, both in law school and beyond.
Beyond the classroom, he maintained a close connection to the undergraduate student body as well, becoming an assistant residential community director. In this role, Lipker oversees resident assistants in CWRU residence halls and gains insights that enrich is perspective as a leader.
Plans for the year ahead
As he moves into his role as GSC president, Lipker is prioritizing greater transparency and clearer outreach for the organization. While many graduate students attend social events, the GSC’s role extends beyond hosting functions. Lipker aims to ensure that the council is seen as a powerful advocate for graduate student needs, implementing policies that address the challenges students face on campus.
“We have a very diverse group of students from all walks of life,” Lipker notes. “Our goal is to build bridges between these groups, fostering cross-discipline relationships that enrich the student experience.”
Lipker has already begun laying the groundwork for these initiatives. He spent significant time this summer meeting with school presidents and the GSC executive board, ensuring a smooth transition into the academic year. He believes that by working collaboratively with these leaders, the GSC can effectively meet the needs of the majority while also finding solutions that address the concerns of minority groups.
As he begins his final year at CWRU, Lipker is focused on defining his leadership ability and finding ways to communicate complex solutions in ways that resonate with all students. He encourages all graduate students to stay engaged with the GSC by attending general meetings, reading the weekly newsletter and participating in the variety of events planned for the year.
While the final chapter of his experience as a CWRU student is bittersweet, Lipker looks forward to remaining an engaged member of the community.
“My supervisor reminded me that you can always be a part of the CWRU community as an alum, either as a mentor to an undergraduate or even a law student,” he said. “I look forward to reconnecting and being an assistive tool after graduation.”