“Thank you.” “I appreciate you.” “That meant a lot to me.”
From fostering stronger relationships to boosting overall happiness and reducing stress, expressing and receiving gratitude—which may be as simple as giving thanks—can have a positive impact on our well-being. Research shows those who intentionally focus on showing appreciation have lower stress levels, sleep better, have greater self esteem and are less likely to suffer from depression.
While conveying appreciation is welcome anytime, today we are celebrating National Gratitude Month by sharing messages submitted by our faculty, staff and students. They showed gratitude for their mentors, families, pets, colleagues and the beauty and resources around us.
Enjoy their messages and take a moment today to let someone know how much they mean to you!
Taylor Amato
Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences
MSW student
“I am so thankful for the connections I have made here at [Case Western Reserve University] in my first semester of the MSW program. As an online student, I still feel included in the CWRU community. I have had a wonderful experience so far – from the professors providing insight and guidance in and out of the classroom to meeting some really great students from various majors, I am very thankful to be a member of the [CWRU] family.”
Vihisha and Havisha Bache
School of Dental Medicine
Second-year dental students
“We both are so grateful for the memories we make every day with our best friends, professors, and staff. There are many wonderful people here who help us grow and feel endlessly happy. The abundance of opportunities to learn subjects outside of our study of focus has transformed the way we approach everything around us. Being able to satiate our curiosity of the world from the knowledge this campus has offered us has really been a gift.”
Ragu Balakrishnan
Case School of Engineering
Dean
“It is no surprise that this year, and every year, I am grateful for the Case School of Engineering community. It is a privilege to work alongside my staff and faculty colleagues who, every day, make the school a wonderful place to work, research and learn. And I’m extremely thankful for our outstanding students who bring so much energy, creativity and inspiration to our campus.”
Jessica Berg
School of Law
Dean
“I’m grateful for the incredible staff and management team I work with at the School of Law. Their positivity, behind the scenes attention to detail, devotion to students, and above and beyond efforts make all of our success possible. On top of that, they are a fantastic group of people to have as colleagues!
Jason Buitrago
School of Medicine
Executive Director of Enrollment Management
“I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to partner and collaborate with colleagues across the university to help promote our academic offerings and enhance our students’ experiences. As the old saying goes, ‘a rising tide lifts all boats.’ The CWRU future is bright because of the incredibly talented students, faculty, staff, and community members working together to make our world ever better.”
Kenneth Chance
School of Dental Medicine
Dean
“This National Gratitude Month, I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to the faculty, students and staff of the School of Dental Medicine for your unwavering dedication, determination and diligence. With mounting obligations, you rise to the occasion, day after day, keeping our dental school improving in all areas. Please take time to congratulate each other on a job well done. You are simply the best.”
Trevin Crider
School of Law
Second-year law student
“I’m grateful for a community that uplifts and serves. I feel like I could go to anyone on this campus and they’d be willing to help me. I’m also grateful to be in law school and use what I’m learning to support Cleveland.”
Deanna Duffy
Department of Human Resources
Wellness Manager
“I am grateful for my supervisor and the university’s medical director, Elizabeth Click. She sets an amazing example for me, empowers me, and is always kind to those around her. I am so appreciative to work for a director that is fair and genuinely cares about people and her work. Coming to CWRU and working with Elizabeth has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. Thank you, Elizabeth!”
Debbie Fatica
Case School of Engineering
Assistant Dean
“I am grateful for my family and friends, dogs, good health and the amazing CWRU students, faculty and staff! Live each day to the fullest!”
Anshul Gupta
ThinkImpact Program, Fowler Center
Program Manager
“I am grateful for the opportunity to work part-time with Ellen Van Oosten and Megan Buchter during my time at school. I have to say that they are the best employers.”
Brittany Lawyer
Division of Student Affairs
Nurse Practitioner, University Health and Counseling Services
“I’m grateful for the wonderful group of people that I get to call coworkers at UHCS. We work as a team, consult with one another, depend on one another and best of all check in and on each other’s lives. I wouldn’t be here if not for them. Thank you.”
Kristi Lehmer
Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing
Director of Enrollment and Recruitment
“I am thankful to work with a team where each [person] brings unique characteristics and background to help serve our prospective and current students. I am grateful for their hard work, dedication and selflessness. Thank you Dedra Hanna Adams, Jackie Tepale, Christie Borkan, Kennedy Clyde and Molly Mawby!”
Andrew Medvedev
Weatherhead School of Management
Co-Dean
“I’m thankful for all our amazing students, present and past, who make coming to work a joy — and from whom I learn daily.”
Carol M. Musil
Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing
Dean
“I’m grateful to be part of the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, with its phenomenal students, faculty and staff, as we celebrate 100 years of advancing the discipline of nursing.
JB Silvers
Weatherhead School of Management
Co-Dean
“I am most grateful for all the years I’ve had at Case Western Reserve University, having fun with my students and colleagues, pursuing important questions—and actually getting paid to do it! Each morning is a new day of discovery. What a great job at a wonderful university!”
Rachel Stegemann
Division of Student Affairs
Associate Director, Student Activities and Leadership
“CWRU has made such a big impact on my life and helped shape the person I’ve become today. From being a student to a staff member to a student once more, I have felt supported and cared for along the way by a number of incredible people that I am so lucky to have met and had the opportunity to work with. I am grateful for all of the ups and downs, wins and losses, and experiences that I’ve had here.”
Shannon Swiatkowski
School of Medicine
Senior Director, Clinical and Translational Science Collaborative
“In my 17 years at CWRU, I am thankful for the enduring relationships and collaborations with extraordinary colleagues on campus. Their unwavering support and shared dedication have made my journey here an enriching and rewarding experience.”
Lee Thompson
College of Arts and Sciences
Interim Dean
“I am grateful for the many faculty that I have worked beside, the staff that continues to inspire me, and all of the students over the years that make our communities and the world a far better place. I’m grateful to be a ‘perpetual student’ of those around me.”
McKenna Uzelac
Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences
First-year MSW student
“I am grateful for the campus LGBT Center and all of the wonderful staff and regulars who make CWRU such a warm place to be. Seeing your smiling faces whenever I walk in is the best part of my week, every week. A special shoutout to the staff—Mailey, Devin and Avery—for being the absolute best all the time. You guys rock and you inspire me everyday!”
Dexter Voisin
Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences
Dean
“Our parents are giants in our lives and I am so grateful to have my father still with us. He is 89 years young with a sharp mind and we continue to recall and build new memories together. Cherish the moments.”
Basil Yaseen
College of Arts and Sciences
Fourth-year biology and economics student
“I am most grateful for my dad. He is the one who pushed me harder than anyone else, and is my biggest role model. He greets each person as if they were the most important person in the world, treating them with such kindness and grace. Everyday, I strive to be more and more like my dad, treating each person with respect and kindness as much as I can. Without my dad, I know with certainty that my life would have been way different. I would not value kindness or empathy nearly as much as I do today, and thus my life would not be nearly as fulfilling.”