CSU Perspective - Summer 2010

SUMMER 2010

Bill and Neeraj Julka

$6 million gift supports scholarships

ACCESS TO EXCELLENCE Ramona, a senior, and Kristen, a freshman, chose CSU for a great education.

Both hold scholarships and would be unable to pursue their degrees without financial support from generous donors.

Like Ramona and Kristen, countless other bright, hard working and highly motivated CSU students need your help as they struggle to balance academics with finances.

Your scholarship gift will help students stay in school, focus on their studies, graduate, and make a difference in Northeast Ohio’s future.

Impact a student’s life. Say YES to KRISTEN

Access to Excellence.

For information, visit www.csuohio.edu/giving, email giving@csuohio.edu or call 216-687-3557 Learn more about Ramona and Kristen, in their own words, at www.csuohio.edu/studentcenter

RAMONA

CONTENTS summer10 

Editor/Writer

Barbara Chudzik Design

Jo-Ann Dontenville-Ranallo Photography

William Rieter, ’88 President

Dr. Ronald M. Berkman Interim Provost

Geoffrey S. Mearns Interim Vice President for University Advancement/ Executive Director, CSU Foundation

Steven A. Minter Assistant Vice President, Marketing and admissions

Rob A. Spademan Director, Alumni Affairs

Carolyn Champion-Sloan

FE ATURES

DEPARTMENT S

new additions The Student Center and College of Education and Human Services are eye-catching additions to CSU’s ever-changing campus  6 -7

Our Colleges  2

$6 million gift Alumnus Bill Julka says thank-you with the largest scholarship gift in University history  8 - 9 building up downtown Allen Theatre, North Campus developments to boost city life  10 -11

News Briefs  14 FACULTY EMERITUS SPOTLIGHT William Martin, Music  2 0 Alumni Q&A Award-winning teacher Sally Pellegrin  2 4 Class Notes  26

presidential priorities Five initiatives shape President Ronald Berkman’s vision for Cleveland State  12 Having an impact Professor Roberta Steinbacher is both teacher and philanthropist  13 Distinguished Alumni Awards Celebrating 20 years of outstanding graduates  2 2

Perspective, a publication for alumni and friends of Cleveland State University, is produced by the Division of University Advancement. Perspective offices are located in the Keith Building, 1621 Euclid Ave., KB 300, Cleveland, Ohio 44115.

The telephone number is 216-875-9693; the fax number is 216-687-9278.

Third-class postage is paid at Cleveland, Ohio.

Cleveland State University is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer and especially encourages applications from minorities and women, persons with handicaps or disabilities, and disabled and Vietnam era veterans.

Perspective #22/90,000 © 2010 Cleveland State University Division of University Advancement

On the cover and right:

the new college of education and human services building has been named julka hall in honor of bill and neeraj julka.

Re a d Pe rs p e ct ive o n l i n e a t w w w. c s u o h i o . e d u / m a g a z i n e CSU PERSPECTIVE 1

 OUR colleges

 COLLEGE OF

Education and Human Services According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, autism affects one in every 110 children in America. For boys, it’s even more prevalent — one in 70.

To meet the growing need for information, best practices and support among parents, teachers and others who care for and educate these youngsters, the Department of Teacher Education has added a new certificate program, Foundations of Autism Spectrum Disorders, offered at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

The prog ra m is c ompr i s e d of fou r cou rses to prov ide s t u d e nt s w it h t he basic knowledge and skills to teach children and adolescents with autism, including information on programming for early, middle and secondary grades.

St udents w i l l ex a m i ne cha ra cteristics of individuals with autism, practice educational interventions, and learn about the scientific knowledge and theory underlying educational practices, programs and strategies for people with autism.

Accord i n g to a ssist a nt professor and program director Anthony L. Menendez, course content addresses a very real community need for practical and pragmatic information and strategies to help improve the quality of life for children and adults with autism.

“Social and emotional problems are commonly experienced when interact-

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ing with people with autism,” he notes.

“Parents and teachers are looking for answers and ways to help.”

CSU and its Council for Exceptional Children student chapter regularly host speakers, workshops and conferences for those interested in autism. Seats always fill up quickly, and Dr. Menendez is noticing the same trend for the autism courses.

“Autism is an urgent and growing public health crisis,” he says. “CSU’s c e r t i f ic a t e pr o g r a m i s for f a m i l y memb er s , e duc at or s , he a lt h- c a re providers, students and anyone who w a nt s t o l e a r n m o r e a n d m a k e a difference.”

For i n for mat ion on t he aut ism certificate program, call 216-687-4625.

To learn more about the College, visit www.csuohio.edu/cehs

COLLEGE OF



Science

R EEL Chemistr y, a non-traditional undergraduate lab course that provides students with real experiences in general and organic chemistry research, has students clamoring to enroll.

And no wonder. As freshmen, they get to develop and pursue their own research projects on such topics as arsenic and chromium content in wooden playground structures, lead concentrations in the vicinity of gun ranges, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in cooked foods, sealed coated parking lots and motor oils.

Funded by a National Science Foundation grant, the REEL (Research Experience to Enhance Learning) method of lab teaching has students working independently and collaboratively on their own research projects. Since most

lack any sort of research background, guidance and instruction are provided on literature searches, instrument use, data acquisition, data analysis, and presentation of results. At the end of the semester, students present a poster of their research at a REEL Chemistry conference sponsored by a participating university or at a regional American Chemical Society meeting.

Associate Professor Rober t Wei brought REEL Chemistry to CSU five years ago; lecturer Anne O’Connor has served as primary instructor and coordinator for the past three years.

“In a traditional lab course, the experiments are usually exercises with known outcomes. In REEL lab, students are working on actual research projects so the outcomes are unknown. This provides them with a sense of discovery and knowledge, which is an essential part of the learning process,” says Dr. O’Connor.

Jerry Mundell, coordinator of the freshman chemistry committee, adds, “Students develop critical and creative thinking that builds confidence as well as knowledge. REEL is redefining the lab experience at CSU.” For information on R EEL, email a.oconnor@csuohio.edu.

To learn more about the College, visit www.csuohio.edu/sciences

COLLEGE OF



Liberal Arts and Social Sciences E xam ining how domestic v iolence cases are handled by the police and courts, how police interact with citizens and how jailed women communicate with their children. These are just some of the projects taking place in CSU’s Criminology Research Center (CRC), housed in the Department of Sociology and Criminology.

The center’s first funded project, an Evaluation of Domestic Violence Case Processing in Cleveland’s Municipal Court, examines the court’s Dedicated Domestic Violence Docket (DDVD) in which two judges hear all of the domestic violence cases occurring in three of five Cleveland police districts.

Fa c u l t y r e s e a r c h e r s We n d y Regoeczi and Dana Hubbard are comparing the outcomes of cases handled by the DDVD with domestic violence cases from the other two police districts, handled in the traditional court manner. They will evaluate whether the DDVD inf luences the criminal justice processing of domestic violence cases and increases offender accountability.

Drs. Hubbard and Regoeczi are also working with School of Communication faculty members Jill Rudd and Gary Pettey on a project with incarcerated women to identify communication skill deficiencies in parenting their children, develop and evaluate a prog ram to improve these skills, and train women who are successful in the program to be mentors for other incarcerated mothers.

In another project, Drs. Regoeczi and Stephanie Kent are working with faculty members Ronnie Dunn and Bill Bowen of the Levin College of Urban

Affairs to study the application of discretion in police decision-making in Cuyahoga County. This project w ill examine how police make decisions regarding the initiation of police-citizen contacts and is funded by the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office.

Opened in fall 2008, the CRC acts as a clearinghouse for criminological research and provides a wide range of services to the community, including developing and administering surveys, conducting interviews, creating and implementing data management systems, evaluating programs, and conducting scientific studies on the causes and correlates of crime.

To learn more about the CRC, call 216-687-9349.

To learn more about the College, visit www.csuohio.edu/class

NANCE COLLEGE OF



Business Administration Helping small businesses prosper and grow is one way to help jump-start the economy. The Nance College of Business Administration is taking a lead role and sharing its expertise to foster entrepreneurship and serve the diverse needs of the small business community.

The College has partnered w ith the Urban League of Greater Cleveland and the Hispanic Business Association to establish a Cuyahoga County Small Business Development Center (SBDC).

A one-stop location for business assistance, the SBDC provides technical assistance, e-counseling, quality-based assessments, loan packaging guidance, and information on federal, state and local regulations and programs. Certi-

fied counselors are available by appointment, Monday through Friday.

The SBDC will serve a wide Cuyahoga County population at several locations — the Nance College of Business at the Beachwood Development Center and at CSU’s extended campuses in Solon and Westlake, the Urban League headquarters on Prospect Avenue, and the Hispanic Business Association headquarters on Bridge Avenue.

The consortium is part of the Small Business Development Center Network of Ohio, the Entrepreneu rsh ip and Small Business Division of the Ohio Department of Development, and the U.S. Small Business Administration.

“The services and assistance prov ided by the new Cuyahoga County SBDC are critical to our state’s small businesses,” said Lisa Patt-McDaniel, director of the Ohio Department of Development. “We are grateful for our dedicated partners who are helping to meet the ever-changing needs of small business owners and entrepreneurs in Cuyahoga County.”

For information about the SBDC, call 216-622-0999, ext. 214.

To learn more about the College, visit www.csuohio.edu/business

CSU PERSPECTIVE 3

FENN COLLEGE OF

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Engineering

A first-ever accreditation and a major a w a r d t o p Fe n n C o l l e g e ’s r e c e n t achievements. The College is the first engineering school in the nation to win accreditation from the Canadian Association for Co-operative Education (CAFCE). And NorTech, in partnership with Crain’s Cleveland Business, has recognized CSU’s wind tower amplification system with a 2010 Innovation Award.

The CAFCE accreditation recognizes Fenn College’s co-operative education program as one that exceeds sta nda rds, prov id ing st udents the opportunity to earn the real-world engineering experience that is crucial for career success and providing benefits to employers as well. In addition, CAFCE offers professional development opportunities and best practices for accredited programs and their administrators.

I n t he I n nov a t ion s Aw a r d s , Fenn College took top honors in the Advanced Energy, Power and Propulsion category for designing and produc-

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ing a wind tower capable of harnessing wind energy in urban and low-windspeed regions where the use of conventional wind tower systems is not feasible. CSU’s innovative design can generate enough energy to power two 3,000-square-foot homes.

Majid Rashidi, CSU’s Betty L. Gordon Distinguished Professor of Engineering, led a team that created and built the novel design for harnessing wind energy based upon a unique wind speed aug mentation pr inciple. Dr. Rashidi is not just interested in figuring out how to harness low speed winds to create power; he is also interested in ensuring its commercial viability.

Funding sources include a $1.1 million U.S. Department of Energy grant; a $400,000 State of Ohio Capital Fund Grant; and a $1 million gift from donor Betty L. Gordon.

To learn more about the College, visit www.csuohio.edu/engineering

CLEVELAND-MARSHALL COLLEGE OF



Law

Two top legal minds are sharing their ex pertise w ith Cleveland-Marsha ll and its students — one in a new capacity and one new to the College. Phyllis Crocker has been named interim dean while Peter A. Carfagna has joined CSU as an executive-in-residence.

Dean Crocker has been a faculty member since 1994 and has served as associate dean for academic affairs since 2006, experiences that will allow her to continue the school’s progress in enhancing the student cohort, revising curriculum, raising bar passage rates and connecting students to career opportunities. She replaces Geoffrey

Mearns, who is now CSU’s interim provost.

Dean Crocker received her undergraduate degree from Yale University and her law degree from Northeastern University. A recognized expert on the death penalty, she chaired the American Bar Association’s Ohio Death Penalty Assessment Team, and she has written extensively on the constitutional, historical and cultural underpinnings of capital punishment. She is also a co-author of Criminal Law, part of the Baldwin’s Ohio Practice series.

Carfagna is a for mer ch ief le ga l counsel for IMG (the spor ts ma rketing and entertainment conglomerate) and the current majority ow ner of t he L a ke Count y Capta ins baseball team.

A g ra duate of Ha r va rd Un iversity and its Law School and a Rhodes Scholar, he is teaching sports law, the business of sports and sports management, and will assist students in acquiring internships with professional sports teams and sports-related organizations.

He also will serve as a consultant to the University’s vice president for business affairs and finance, and assist with fundraising and athletic programs.

Ca r fa g na ser ved as I MG’s ch ief legal officer/general counsel for more than 10 years, leading a worldwide legal team. He has published two sports law books and also teaches at Harvard Law School.

To learn more about the College, visit www.law.csuohio.edu

MAXINE GOODMAN LEVIN COLLEGE OF



Urban Affairs

Cleveland Mayor Frank G. Jackson, a three-time CSU alumnus, is the 2010 recipient of the In Tribute to the Public Service Award, presented by the Levin College of Urban Affairs.

The award was presented in early June at a reception held at the Hanna Theatre in PlayhouseSquare. Proceeds from the annual event support scholarships for Levin College students who aspire to careers in public service.

This year's event raised more than $100,000 for scholarships. In addition, Sam Miller, chairman and chief executive officer of Forest City Enterprises, Inc., announced a $20,000 scholarship gift in the mayor’s honor.

Mayor Jackson earned a bachelor’s degree in history from the College of Liberal A rts and Social Sciences in 1977, a master’s degree in urban studies in 1979 from Levin College, and a JD from the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law in 1983. A native Clevelander and product of the Cleveland Metropolitan Schools, he also holds an associate’s deg ree from Cuyahoga Communit y College.

E le c t e d m ayor i n 2 0 0 6 , he h a s worked to balance the city’s budget without significant layoffs or cuts in service, improve neighborhoods, bring excellence back to the schools, attract a nd ma i nt a i n jobs, a nd promote a regional economy.

Before becoming mayor, Jackson served three years as president of City Council and 16 years as the Ward 5 representative to City Council.

The In Tribute to the Public Service Award was established in 1985 by Levin

College’s Visiting Committee to honor individuals who demonstrate exemplary leadership in public life and contribute significantly to the betterment of the community. Over the years, 29 individuals have been recognized.

To learn more about the College, visit http://urban.csuohio.edu

COLLEGE OF



Graduate Studies In a global economy based on technology and information, the importance of earning a master’s degree, or even a doctorate, can’t be overstated.

The same can be said for the McNair Scholars program, which prepares students for graduate school and doctoral study.

Named after physicist/astronaut Ronald McNair, who perished in the Challenger explosion in 1986, the program is funded by the U.S. Department of Education and is in its third year at CSU. Designed for students interested in pursuing a Ph.D., the program is open

to those who are currently seeking an undergraduate degree in science, technolog y, engineering or mathematics (STEM) fields, and for non-majors who have an interest in STEM research. Program participants must be first-generation college students and low income, or members of an under-represented group in graduate education.

Under the guidance of two faculty members (one in the student’s academic discipline), McNair Scholars gain academic, research and professional ex periences to enhance their competitiveness in gaining admission to g raduate prog ra ms. They conduct community-based research projects, develop writing and presentation skills, build a portfolio, prepare for the graduate school entrance exam, attend seminars, workshops and conferences, and benefit from an academic community that provides support long after students graduate.

CSU students who complete the McNair program are seeing success.

Recently, a McNair Scholar in chemistry published his first a r t ic le w h i le r e s e a r c h b y McNair Scholars in nursing and physical therapy is being considered for publication.

For information on t he Mc Na i r S cholars program, visit w w w.c suoh io. e d u /o f f i c e s/ mcnair To learn more about the College, visit www. c suohio.edu/ gradcollege 

CSU PERSPECTIVE 5

student center D a z z l i n g

g e m

centerpiece of the Cleveland State campus makeover . . . the heart of campus life . . . a must-see gem in downtown Cleveland. It’s CSU’s spectacular new Student Center.

While the official grand opening is planned for fall semester, construction will be complete in June. Move-in begins with the CSU Bookstore, which will be located on the first floor and easily accessible from Euclid Avenue. Other departments, including food services, student life and conference services, will move in throughout the summer with the goal of having the building fully occupied and operational by mid-August.

Located on Euclid Avenue bet ween East 21st and 22nd streets, the $50 million, three-story structure was created for students, with their unique needs in mind. And it couldn’t be more different than University Center, CSU’s former student hub.

One of the final masterpieces by the late Charles Gwathmey, a renowned New York architect, the building was designed to be a living and learning center that promotes interaction, conversation and community among students, faculty, staff and visitors.

It’s a building that’s alive, bustling with

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s a y s

" w e l c o m e "

activity, and says “welcome” to all.

The 138,000-square-foot building will be home to all student activities, organizations and governance, providing a place for social interaction and engaged learning beyond the classroom walls.

An inner link on the second floor will connect the Student Center to the Main Classroom and Music and Communication buildings, part of the overall link that spans nearly 10 city blocks and connects the Levin College to the East Garage.

Contemporary and forward-looking, the building is bright and airy with skylights and an abundant use of glass that affords majestic views of downtown Cleveland and the growing metropolitan campus.

“I speak for many students when I say I am ecstatic about the new Student Center.

Cleveland State is already doing extraordinary things. I cannot imagine the wonderful things that will happen when there is a place for students to come together and collaborate for the greater good of CSU and the Cleveland community,” says Mohammad A. Faraj, president of the Student Government Association. 

t o

a l l

To discuss Student Center naming opportunities or to provide scholarship support for CSU students, call University Advancement at 216-687-5522.

Student Center: At A Glance T hree-story building; predominately glass exterior; three multi-level atriums; central public forum ■ S crolling LED message boards; wireless interconnectivity; Internet access; digital displays; cable flat screen televisions ■ H ome to all student organizations and activities ■ 6,000-square-foot ballroom – largest single assembly space on campus ■ CSU bookstore ■ F ood cour t; convenience store; pub; coffee shop ■ G ame room; cyber/computer lounge; two fireplaces; multiple patios ■ D esigned to achieve LEED certification for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design ■

Education and Human Services Julka hall gives college a new identit y

The first-ever home for the College of Education and Human Services is open for business — the business of educating teachers, principals, counselors, nurses and so many others who directly impact the quality of life in Northeast Ohio.

The building, near East 24th Street and Euclid Avenue, was completed in April and has been named Julka Hall in recognition of a $6 million gift from alumnus Anand "Bill" Julka.

(See story on pages 8-9.)

The $36 million, three-story structure brings together 3,000 students, 200 full- and part-time faculty, and 100 staff members from eight locations around campus.

With 100,000 square feet, the building provides innovative teaching and learning space. The halls are wide, with sky-lit gathering spots where students and faculty can interact. Classrooms, department and faculty offices, and labs are interspersed. A soaring atrium, equipped with the latest in advanced technology, serves as a central forum. A green roof, rain garden, terrace overlooking Euclid Avenue, and other inviting outdoor spaces link the new building to neighboring Fenn Tower, Mather Mansion and the Health Sciences building.

As the new eastern gateway to campus, Julka Hall is already turning heads, winning a merit award from the American Institute of Architects while construction was still underway.

Like the new Student Center opening this summer, Julka Hall is visually stunning, both inside and out. Its design is contemporary, forward-looking, bright and airy, with an abundant use of glass affording majestic views of downtown Cleveland and the growing campus.

Dean Jay McLoughlin says having a building of its own will provide the College with definition and identity, while bringing together faculty and departments that have had limited contact will be transformational.

“What a difference that will make in terms of collaboration, team spirit, and sense of community,” he says. Dr. McLoughlin will not get to enjoy the new building; he is retiring in June. Richard Hurwitz has been named the interim dean, effective July 1.

Dr. Hurwitz has served as associate dean for academic programs since 2004. A member of the education faculty since 1983, he also has served as associate dean for student and alumni affairs and external relations, and chair of health, physical education, recreation and dance.

To discuss naming opportunities in the new building or t o pr o v ide schola rsh ip suppor t for CSU st udents , call University Advancement at 216-687-5522. 

CSU PERSPECTIVE 7

PAYING IT FORWARD ALUMNUS SAYS THANKS WITH $6 MILLION GIFT Anand “Bill” Julka passionately believes education is the key to improving one’s life.

He attributes his own success to his Cleveland State University education and has said thank-you in a most profound way.

Julka has made a $6 million gift commitment to Cleveland State to support scholarships for local students pursuing degrees in teaching, nursing, engineering and computer science. His pledge is the largest single scholarship gift in the University’s history.

In recognition of his outstanding generosity, CSU’s newly completed Col-

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lege of Education and Human Services building has been named Julka Hall.

Calling this generous gift a “transformational commitment” to CSU, President Ronald M. Berkman notes that the Julka Scholarship Fund “will ensure that scores of high school graduates and first-generation college students will have the opportunity to pursue higher education at Cleveland State.”

Julka’s first preference is to fund graduates from Cleveland schools who enroll at CSU in one of the four designated majors — fields of study that he believes will lead to jobs and are important to Cleveland’s future. He feels passionately that students in the city of Cleveland receive the same opportunities that he had.

“Many students have econom ic challenges working against them,” he says. “I don’t believe anyone should be denied a good education simply because they don’t have the money to pay for it.”

Like many of today’s students, Julka came to CSU with dreams of getting a good education and finding a job. “My education gave me a solid foundation upon which to build a career; it was the springboard to success,” he says.

“I never imagined I would someday be able to give back to the institution that

Father and son, Om and Bill Julka

gave so much to me and is such a pivotal part of this community.”

At the age of 22, Julka arrived at CSU from his homeland of India. He had just two shirts, two pairs of trousers, a $1,500 student loan, and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology.

He chose Cleveland State after reading a brochure that said students could take all their classes at night so they could work during the day. “ T h a t w a s m y mot i v a t ion ,” he recalls. “I didn’t know a soul. I didn’t even have a place to live. When I walked into registration, I said, ‘I’m here. I need a room’ but they were all taken.”

Julka stayed at the nearby YMCA for two nights, then was invited to move into the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity house by a fellow student who took pity on his plight. “ There was a par t y ever y night .

A fter two months, I started feeling guilty because I had come 10,000 miles to study, not party. So I moved into a house that a theolog y professor was renting to students. There were strict rules and it was quiet,” he says.

Julka earned his master’s degree in industrial engineering from the Fenn College of Engineering in 1974, attend-

ing night classes for two years while work ing days as an eng ineer at the Eaton Corporation.

He stayed with Eaton for 11 years, then founded his own firm, Smart Solutions, Inc., a leading provider of systems integration and networking solutions.

Today, Smart Solutions remains headquartered in Cleveland and serves customers in all 50 states and 20 countries.

The firm has won numerous recognitions, including designation as a Weatherhead 100 Company two times. Julka, who holds the title of president, has been named Northeast Ohio Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young LLP and has received MicroAge’s President’s Club Award six times.

“Everything I have achieved, I owe to my excellent education,” he says.

“I am a proud CSU alumnus and very happy to support the University in every way I can.”

Smart Solutions regularly hires CSU graduates and provides students with internship opportunities; in partnership with CSU’s Department of Mathematics, the firm established a program to help students at Cleveland’s East High School pass the state proficiency exam in math.

In addition, Julka generously shares his time, talent and treasure; in fact, CSU has been his top philanthropic priority. Past gifts include a $2 million estate plan commitment to the College of Education and Human Services, and $100,000 to the Moses Cleaveland Scholarship Fund in honor of his 92-year-old father, Om Julka, to benefit Cleveland school g ra duates who at tend CSU to pursue degrees in engineering or computers.

Julka serves on the CSU Foundation Board of Directors and is a former member of the Visiting Committees for the College of Education and Human Services and the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. In 2008, he was recognized with a CSU Distinguished Alumni Award.

He says his latest gift is an endorsement of President Berkman’s leadership and vision. “Cleveland State’s future is bright, and because of that, Cleveland’s future is bright as well,” he adds.

Dr. Berkman says Julka’s gift underscores the value of education throughout the community. “In this economy, these scholarship funds are especially significant so that education can remain a priority for Cleveland families,” he notes.

“This gift will play a critical role in the lives of many students who otherwise might have missed the opportunity for an advanced degree.”

Julka and his wife Neeraj, a retired physician, are world travelers who enjoy immersing themselves in the cultures and traditions of the lands they visit.

“We’re not typical tourists,” he says.

“We read extensively about the places we plan to visit, then we go into the neighborhoods and get to know the people. Traveling is a great educational experience — just like Cleveland State.” 

CSU PERSPECTIVE 9

DESTINATION: DOWNTOWN

historic theater to get new life Cleveland State, PlayhouseSquare and the Cleveland Play House are getting closer to creating an arts education collaborative unlike any other in the nation — one that is expected to bring an additional 100,000-plus audience members to downtown Cleveland each year.

By fall 2011, the historic Allen Theatre in PlayhouseSquare is expected to become the new home for both the Cleveland Play House and CSU’s theater program. In addition, negotiations are underway for the purchase and renovation of the Middough Building on East 13th Street, turning it into artsrelated classrooms, studios, rehearsal space and offices.

The project is a key component in CSU’s ongoing commitment to building a downtown neighborhood and revitalizing the city and regional economy.

“Vacating our current theater and art buildings will free up land for our North Campus development while giving our students the distinct advantage of developing their artistic skills in the heart of the arts district,” says President Ronald M. Berkman.

“Partnering with the world-renowned Cleveland Play House and PlayhouseSquare will strengthen and grow CSU’s alreadyexcellent programs while boosting the economic well-being and quality of life in Cleveland and Northeast Ohio,” he adds.

The innovative partnership brings together America’s first regional theater, the nation’s second-largest performing arts complex, and Cleveland’s only metropolitan university.

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Plans call for a long-term lease of the Allen by CSU and the Play House, as well as a complete renovation of the 2,500-seat landmark while preserving its historic architecture and features.

Renovation work by Westlake Reed Leskosky Architects will create a state-of-the-art venue with a 514-seat main stage proscenium theater on the first floor, a 334-seat second stage, and a 150-seat black box theater. The area between the Allen and Ohio theaters, now known as Dodge Court, will be built out to contain classrooms, rehearsal space, dance space with a sprung floor, ample areas for wardrobe, props and set construction, and more.

The project would give CSU’s growing theater program the distinction of being affiliated with professional theaters, thereby attracting even more aspiring actors and those interested in technical careers. This, in turn, will lead to additional student housing on and near campus, as well as retail and commercial enterprises.

Students will have the opportunity to engage with professionals in all aspects of theater education and hone their skills through internships.

Renovation of the Allen is expected to cost $30 million with all three partners involved in fundraising. Cleveland State has already secured commitments of $1 million from the George Gund Foundation, $1 million from the Parker Hannifin Corporation, and $350,000 from the state of Ohio for architecture and design work. Renovation is expected to begin soon and be complete in fall 2011. 

DOWNTOWN CLE V E LAND campus growth boosts city life Creating a residential neighborhood that will help transform

downtown Cleveland. That’s Cleveland State’s vision — and new residence halls and development of land north and south of campus are making it happen.

The three projects are key elements of CSU’s ongoing master plan, as well as key factors in attracting people downtown and keeping them there.

“All the improvements we’ve made to our campus are meant to enhance the collegiate experience for our students,” says Jack Boyle, vice president for business affairs and finance.

“But we’re also spurring housing and retail redevelopment by private investors and sparking a renewed interest in downtown among young professionals, empty-nesters and suburbanites who are rethinking their urban roots.”

Euclid Commons, at East 24th Street between Euclid and Prospect avenues, will house CSU’s growing student population. Phase one will open in August, just in time for fall semester. Three four-story buildings will provide 325 additional beds, primarily in units featuring four single bedrooms, a kitchen and a common space.

Phase two, an L-shaped building with 275 more beds, will begin immediately thereafter. When it opens in fall 2011,

Euclid Commons will house a total of 600 students in comfortable, attractive units designed to enhance campus life.

As part of the residence hall expansion, East 24th Street is being extended south to Prospect Avenue.

On the north side of campus, a private developer has been contracted to build one- and two-bedroom, marketrate apartments for 600 residents. Construction is expected to begin in 2011; the housing is designed to appeal to faculty, staff, and other professionals who work downtown.

Additional north campus development will include retail space, some parking, and possibly a stadium for Viking baseball and football.

South of campus, Prospect Avenue is the planned site for more market-rate housing, built by private developers, as well as more student housing.

In addition, CSU will soon be a bit greener. East 19th Street will become a landscaped walkway between Euclid and Prospect avenues, providing an unobstructed view of the Wolstein Center from campus. And site improvements will create a mini park in the 1900 block of Euclid Avenue, home of CSU’s Farmers Market from April through October. 

EUCLID COMMONS, CSU'S NEWEST RESIDENCE HALL

CSU PERSPECTIVE 11

presidential Priorities

I n i t i at i v e s w i l l s h a p e c s u ’ s f u t u r e

Dr. Ronald M. Berkman will mark his first anniversary as president of Cleveland State University on July 1.

Time spent with CSU's many constituencies has helped fast track plans for the future. As his vision for the University and its role in the city has taken shape, five presidential initiatives have emerged.

Increasing scholarship support for students. Calling this his top priority, the president says “increasing private support for merit- and needs-based scholarships is essential and will allow CSU to compete with other schools for the best and brightest students.”

Investing in the future of students is an investment in Northeast Ohio, he adds. By offering scholarships as an incentive to pursue higher education, especially for students from families that have never gone beyond high school, and by offering services to help students succeed, Cleveland State will play a critical role in producing more baccalaureate degree holders for Northeast Ohio.

And that will bolster economic and civic well-being of the region.

Securing funds to launch and operate the New Pathway program. With the majority of its students coming from Northeast Ohio and wanting to remain in the region following graduation, CSU is well positioned to reverse brain drain and help businesses meet employment needs.

Through New Pathway, a scholarship/co-operative education/ internship program that prepares students for local jobs while engaging them in civic issues, CSU will increase the likelihood that graduates will stay in the region. Businesses that support the program will quickly see a return on their investment: by hiring homegrown, job-ready, college-educated talent, they will reduce recruitment costs and increase retention.

“The key to regional economic, political and social restoration rests on our ability to retain our own young people,” says Dr. Berkman.

Establishing a public, K-12, International Baccalaureate (IB) professional development school on campus in collaboration with the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. CSU, through its College of Education and Human Services, provides K-12 schools with a steady flow of educators and administrators. A professional development school will provide realclassroom engaged learning for CSU students and help transform the downtown core; the IB curriculum will help enrolled students

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develop the intellectual, personal, emotional and social skills to live, learn and work in a rapidly globalizing world.

The Campus International School will start with K-2 this fall and will be located at the First United Methodist Church, East 30th and Euclid Avenue. The goal is to expand to K-12 within five years.

“We have an ambitious plan to adopt the IB program’s framework while also drawing on the Asian model for after-school programming. The school’s initial foreign language focus will be Chinese,” says the president. “I strongly believe that a top flight K-12 school in downtown Cleveland will help attract faculty and professionals to live in the newly formed Campus District.”

Providing a distinct urban primary care medical track at CSU as a NEOUCOM partner. Through its College of Science and programs in allied health care, CSU is uniquely positioned to serve the needs of hospitals and health care in Greater Cleveland.

In partnership with the Northeast Ohio Universities Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy, CSU will provide a medical education curriculum focused on the primary health care needs of under-served populations in urban settings. CSU will recruit a diverse, under-represented, minority student population to careers in urban medicine; more than half of the program will be based at CSU, local hospitals and community/neighborhood primary care clinics and practices.

“This initiative will not only provide primary care doctors for Cleveland, it will spur research on public health issues and expand economic development resulting from new medical careers and increased health services,” says the president.

Integrating campus and community. CSU, with the largest contiguous footprint in downtown Cleveland, has immense potential for impacting the city’s urban center.

“The Campus District has the makings of a great city neighborhood, a place where people will want to live, work and shop. I envision members of our faculty and staff, as well as anyone else attracted by a cosmopolitan lifestyle, moving here, sending their children to school here and together building a diverse, exciting new destination right in the heart of Cleveland,” says Dr. Berkman.

Through strategic initiatives such as building additional student housing, aligning with partners in the Campus District and working with PlayhouseSquare to strengthen local arts and entertainment, the University will enhance the campus experience to the benefit of the surrounding community. 

Making a Difference Teacher/philanthropist impacts student lives In 1970, Roberta Steinbacher joined the faculty of CSU’s fledgling Institute of Urban Studies, and helped build the foundation for what would become the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs.

She’s still having a profound impact today, not only as director of the College’s undergraduate program but as a generous donor whose support is helping students better their lives through higher education.

Most recently, she and Peggy Campbell established the Campbell-Steinbacher Fellowship in honor of the late Thomas Campbell, professor emeritus of history and a fellow visionary who helped make Levin College a reality. Mrs. Campbell is his widow.

The fellowship provides seniors with tuition and a stipend for one year as they engage in applied research or outreach to the urban environment under the mentorship of a faculty member.

The competitively awarded fellowship enables students to research real-world sustainability issues, such as brownfields, with the hope that they will go on to graduate school and careers in urban environment.

In 1996, former trustee Gerald Gordon and his wife, Betty, honored Dr. Steinbacher and Mareyjoyce Green by creating an endowed scholarship in their names. Mrs. Gordon continues to support the fund, which benefits undergraduates majoring in urban affairs, as well as other University initiatives. Green retired in 2009 after 42 years as a faculty member and director of CSU’s Women’s Comprehensive Program.

And since 1983, Dr. Steinbacher has supported urban studies majors through yet another endowed scholarship bearing her name.

“The importance of scholarships at CSU and the need for support can’t be over-stated,” notes Dr. Steinbacher. “So many of our students can’t even afford books, let alone tuition. Yet they’re determined to get their degree. They should serve as an inspiration to all of us.”

In recognition of Professor Steinbacher’s indelible impact on Levin College, its atrium was recently named in her honor.

While proud and humbled by the accolade, she says her 40 years with CSU are reward enough. And she has no plans to retire anytime soon.

“The growth of Levin College is more than any of us ever imagined back in the early days. It’s been a wonderful journey that I look forward to continuing,” she adds. 

CSU PERSPECTIVE 13

freshman scholarship a success Incoming freshmen and their families were quick to take advantage of CSU’s new Freshman Scholars Program.

Some 650 qualifying students were awarded a $3,000 scholarship that is renewable up to $12,000 over four years, regardless of their personal financial situation.

The students are full-time freshmen who will enter CSU in fall 2010. All have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA and an ACT score of 23, or a combined 1060 SAT total score. The scholarship is renewable by maintaining a 3.0 cumulative GPA. With CSU tuition at about $8,610 per year, the Freshman Scholars Program reduces annual tuition by 35 percent. The award is part of CSU’s continuing effort to attract top-notch students and provide an outstanding education at a reasonable price.

mearns named interim provost Geof frey S. Mearns, dean of the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law since 2005, has joined the CSU administrative team as interim provost.

He replaces Mary Jane Saunders, president-designate of Florida Atlantic University.

M e arn s join ed CSU as law d e an following a successful career as a practicing lawyer and prosecutor with the U.S. Department of Justice, where he investigated, prosecuted and supervised cases against members and associates of organizedcrime families. As Special Assistant to the U.S. Attorney General, he participated in the prosecution of Terry Nichols, one of two men convicted for bombing the Oklahoma City Federal Building.

The search for a permanent provost is expected to commence this summer. The provost is the University’s chief academic officer and second-highest administrative post.

JERZY SAWICKI

STEVEN A. MINTER

MINTER AND sawicki take on new roles Executive-in-Residence Steven A. Minter and Professor Jerzy Sawicki have taken on new interim positions, bolstering the University’s strength in two key areas.

Minter is the interim vice president for University advancement and executive director of the CSU Foundation. Dr. Sawicki is the interim associate vice president for research.

Widely known and respected in philanthropic circles, Minter was president and executive director of The Cleveland Foundation from 1984 until his retirement in 2003. For nine years, he also served as a program officer and associate director of the Foundation.

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As an executive-in-residence and a fellow in the Levin College’s Center for Nonprofit Policy & Practice since 2003, he has taught a capstone seminar in nonprofit leadership and management and worked to expand CSU’s relationships with community partners.

The University’s new chief development officer also has more than 15 years of government experience, including under secretary for the U.S. Department of Education, commissioner of public welfare for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and director of the Cuyahoga County Welfare Department.

Dr. Sawicki will assist Vice President of Research and Graduate Studies George Walker in advancing the University’s scholarly productivity by working directly with deans, faculty, staff and students.

His major responsibilities include overseeing the activities of research centers and institutes, and developing and enhancing collaborative and interdisciplinary research programs.

Dr. Sawicki holds the Bently and Muszynska Endowed Chair in the Fenn College of Engineering and is the director of the Center for Rotating Machinery Dynamics & Control.

newsBRIEFS university selected for uteach program CSU is the newest member of the UTeach Institute, which provides direction and leadership to expand math and science teacher preparation at just 20 universities nationwide.

The inclusion is recognition by the National Math and Science Initiative of CSU’s leadership in teacher education, specifically in math and science.

UTeach will assist CSU in redesigning its math and science undergraduate programs. Currently, math and science teacher curriculum can take up to five years to complete, which sometimes discourages students from taking those paths. Under UTeach, courses will be streamlined, allowing students to graduate in four years with both deep content knowledge in math or science as well as teaching licensure for grades seven through 12.

Integrating content with pedagogy, UTeach will help students learn science and math in a way that enables them to more effectively teach the subject matter.

And in response to the increased demand for talented professionals in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, medical and K-12 teaching (STEMM), CSU has established a Center for STEMM Education. The center will ser ve as a hub for STEMM activities in the colleges of Science, Engineering and Education and Human Services.

chemical dependency counseling is first to win accreditation CSU is the first Ohio institution to receive master’s-level accreditation of its Chemical Dependency curriculum from the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board.

CSU’s program is a partnership between the School of Social Work in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences and the Counseling, Administration, Supervision and Adult Learning department in the College of Education and Human Services.

The program is designed to provide master’s-level students in counseling or social work, as well as those in the field who already have a master’s degree, with all the academic training required for licensure as a chemical dependency counselor. A recent task force study predicted that the current need for such counselors will continue over the next 10 years.

State accreditation signals that CSU’s program is providing state-of-the-art training in addiction work with individuals, groups and families.

pat tillman foundation recognizes project serv The Pat Tillman Foundation has selected CSU as a new partner in the Tillman Military Scholarship program which provides educational scholarships for veterans, service members, and their families. In 2009, the foundation awarded $642,000 to the inaugural class of 52 Tillman Military Scholars pursuing education at every level from freshmen to Ph.D. candidates.

The inclusion of CSU recognizes the University’s leadership in providing service to returning military veterans, easing their transition from military to civilian life to classroom. Nearly 300 veterans are enrolled in CSU’s Project SERV — Supportive Education for the Returning Veteran — which was recognized for excellence with a $100,000 award from the Wal-Mart Foundation in 2008.

CSU joins Texas A&M University, the University of Arizona, and the University of Oregon as the newest Tillman Military Scholar partners.

CSU PERSPECTIVE 15

u.s. news & world report cites csu Cleveland State University has been named to the U.S. News & World Report America’s Best Colleges 2010 list. CSU was recognized in the national university category, which includes universities that offer a full range of undergraduate majors, master’s and Ph.D. programs, and place an emphasis on faculty research.

To determine rankings, U.S. News surveys administrators at peer institutions and also considers up to 15 other academic indicators, including graduation rates, student retention, abilities of the student body and faculty resources.

csu adds to fulbright scholar total Regennia N. Williams, associate professor of history, was awarded a Fulbright Scholar grant to lecture and perform research at Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria during this academic year. This brings to more than 60 the number of CSU faculty who have received the prestigious grant.

Dr. Williams’ lecture and research activities focus on the evolving role of religion and spirituality in the recent social histories of African Americans and Nigerians, with special emphasis on the experiences of women from 1950 to the present. The Fulbright experience is an extension of Dr. Williams’ ongoing work for the Initiative for the Study of Religion and Spirituality in the History of Africa and the Diaspora.

The Fulbright Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and provides scholars the opportunity to observe each others’ political, economic, educational and cultural institutions. Recipients are selected on the basis of academic or professional achievement, and demonstrated leadership in their fields.

LAW STUDENTS EXCEL on bar exam The 30 College of Law students who took the Ohio bar exam for the first time in February achieved a 90 percent passage rate, ranking Cleveland-Marshall third in the state.

Ohio Northern University Pettit College of Law ranked first with eight students tested. The College of Law at the University of Cincinnati ranked second with just five students.

In 2004, Cleveland-Marshall launched its Bar Passage Plan, which included the Ohio Bar Strategies and Tactics course that has been instrumental in assisting graduates with the bar exam.

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The ranking acknowledges CSU’s successful efforts to attract top students, recruit and retain renowned faculty, and offer a diverse selection of academic degree programs.

INVESTMENT FUND earns first place The Nance College of Business’ two-year-old Viking Student Managed Investment Fund (SMIF), managed by CSU finance students, won first place in the category of growth strategy among graduate-level teams at the national Redefining Investment Strategy Education conference. SMIF teams from more than 200 schools competed in nine categories.

The Viking SMIF posted a gain of 21.6 percent in 2009 and its risk-adjusted return was 9.06 percent. Total fund value currently stands at $371,458.95 for a total return of 23.8 percent.

The Viking SMIF was created in January 2008 with a gift of $150,000 from the Key Foundation, $50,000 from the Nance College of Business and $100,000 from the CSU Foundation in endowment funds, bringing the total initial investment in the fund to $300,000. The fund allows students to gain real-world experience and engaged learning in investments and portfolio management using real money, thereby boosting their academic credentials and career opportunities.

newsBRIEFS professor awarded prestigious research grant The Human Frontiers Science Program (HFSP), a leader in promoting world-scale research in the life sciences, has awarded Associate Professor Anton Komar and members of his international team a threeyear, $900,000 research grant.

The funding will allow Dr. Komar, a member of CSU’s Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease, the opportunity to study the structure of nascent peptides and kinetic control of co-translational folding on the ribosome.

Selected from a highly competitive pool of international submissions, the CSU team was one of only 25 research groups around the world chosen to receive HFSP funding in 2010. Other awards were presented to researchers at Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Oxford, Cambridge and other top schools.

addy awards honor excellence CSU and flourish Inc., a full-service marketing, media and design agency in downtown Cleveland, received 12 prestigious ADDY Awards from the American Advertising Federation-Cleveland in recent competition.

CSU’s engaged learning campaign received numerous honors, including a Judge’s Choice Award for excellence, while the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law view book won bronze, and a photo from the law book won silver. A sophisticated Allen Theatre booklet advancing the CSU/PlayhouseSquare/Cleveland Play House theater arts partnership won a silver award, then went on to earn gold in the Addy district competition and will be automatically entered in the national Addy competition in June.

With over 60,000 national entries annually, the ADDY Awards is the world’s largest advertising competition.

communication prof wins top honors Bob Abelman, professor of communication and a theater critic for several local newspapers, received top honors in the 2010 Ohio Professional Writers, Inc. communications competition for his articles about community and professional theater.

Recently accepted as an Institute Fellow of the National Endowment for the Arts, Dr. Abelman will participate in an Arts Journalism Institute in Theater and Musical Theater at the University of Southern California this summer. He will attend workshops with arts journalists and take master classes with performing arts professionals.

MARKET in the city By popular demand, the Earth to U. Farmers Market has returned to Cleveland State for a second summer.

Sponsored by the North Union Farmers Market and CSU, the market features local vendors and farmers selling Ohiogrown produce and food products. In addition, local bakers and artisans offer breads, pies, pastries, jams, pasta and more.

The market, on Euclid Avenue between East 18th and 21st streets, is open Thursdays from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. In addition to shopping, visitors can enjoy live music by local bands and pick up a quick bite from local restauranteurs serving lunch items.

CSU PERSPECTIVE 17

athletics hall of fame adds three license plate SUPPORTS SCHOLARSHIPS Want to show your CSU pride while supporting student scholarships? It’s easy. Just purchase an Ohio license plate bearing the Viking logo and Magnus mascot.

The cost of the distinctive Cleveland State plate is your annual renewal fee plus an additional $35. Ohio returns $25 of the added charge back to the University to support student scholarships.

Personalized CSU plates, with initials, names or messages, are also available upon request and approval of the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

For information, visit www.bmv.ohio.gov

A record-setting swimmer, a two-sport standout, and a league champion runner are the newest inductees into the Cleveland State Athletics Hall of Fame. Brian Lamers (swimming, 199396), Heidi Marshall (basketball and softball, 1990-94) and Amy Ritzman (cross country/track, 1991-95), pictured left to right, were enshrined in January, bringing membership to 115 athletes.

Lamers was a three-time Midwestern Collegiate Conference champion in the 100-meter breast stroke, and won that event at the 1994 Eastern Championship. He was twice named as CSU’s Most Outstanding Swimmer. He graduated with a degree in marketing in 2000.

Marshall lettered four times each in basketball and softball.

Her softball statistics include 18 doubles, 45 runs scored, 45 RBI and 27 stolen bases, while in basketball, she ranks 21st in school history with 997 career points. She was named to the AllAmerica Scholar team by the U.S. Softball Coaches Association as a junior in 1993. She graduated in 1994 with a degree in religious studies.

Ritzman was a standout on the cross country team from 199194 and the top CSU finisher in all 26 races in which she competed. The only CSU runner to earn cross country Athlete of the Year four times, she closed out her Viking career by winning Mid-Continent Female Runner of the Year honors. She graduated with a degree in education in 1996 and served as assistant coach during the 1995 season and as head coach in fall 1996.

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join the club Are you a member of the Number Ones Club yet? It’s easy to join.

Just recruit one new, full-time CSU student, and you’ll become a member.

You’ll receive a Number Ones Club lapel pin and be recognized at the Distinguished Alumni Awards banquet. In addition, when your admitted student enrolls, you will receive a free pass to visit CSU’s Recreation Center, and two tickets to a Vikings men’s basketball game at the Wolstein Center.

Alumni who register at www.csuohio.edu/alumni/numberones/ form.pdf can waive the $30 application for up to three prospective new students who apply to CSU using their name.

Good Sports

Highlights from the spring athletic season C on g r a t u l a t ion s t o t he women ’ s basketball team for its second consecutive Horizon League championship and appearance in the NCAA tournament. While the 15th-seeded Vikings fell to the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame in first-round play, the victorious season capped the four-year, 65-win careers of four outstanding seniors — Stephaine Crosley, Kailey Klein and twin sisters Angel and Jessica Roque.

And congratulations to the softball team, which took the Horizon League season championship and set school and conference records with 42 season wins and 22 league wins. Freshman Tess Sito was named Horizon League Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year, senior A manda Macen ko earned her third consecutive Pitcher of the Year honor, and Angie Nicholson was tabbed Horizon League Coach of the Year for the second time in three seasons. The Vikings went on to the Horizon League tournament, where they finished second.

Congratulations, also, to men’s tennis, which claimed its third consecutive Horizon League championship with a 20-7 season. The Vikings made their

Where

third straight appearance in the NCAA tournament, losing to Kentucky. Brian Etzk in was named Horizon Leag ue Coach of the Year for the third time in his career.

Men’s fencing senior Liran Gross represented CSU at the NCA A Fencing National Championships in Cambridge, Mass. He placed 24th in the foil, helping the Vikings to a 26th place finish in the nation. Gross qualified for the national championships after placing sixth at the Midwest Regional.

For the second consecutive year, cross country was recognized on the NCAA Div ision I U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association All-Academic team. The squad carries a cumulative grade point average of 3.64, ranking the Vikings as the 10th highest among Division I cross country programs.

Senior Beth Greulich was the unanimous choice as the Horizon League Volleyball Player of the Year, becoming just the second player in school history to earn the honor. In addition, Chuck Voss was tabbed Coach of the Year after leading the Vikings to 26 wins, the sixth most in school history.

The women’s swimming and diving team earned the Scholar-Athlete A ll-Academic Award from the College Swimming Coaches of America. The Vikings sport a 3.02 team grade point average, including a team-best 3.76 by sophomore Carys Behn.

Men’s baske t ball head coach Gar y Waters was presented with the 2010 John Lotz “Barnabas” Award by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at the NCAA Men’s Final Four in Indianapolis. The award is presented annually to a person who is “a committed follower of Christ, a man full of integrity, a true encourager of others, and who lives a life of balance.”

John Parry joined CSU as interim athletic director. He replaces Lee Reed, who guided CSU athletics to an unprecedented level of success over the past eight years. Reed has joined Georgetown University as athletic director.

Pa r r y was the ath letic d irector for Butler University from 1990 to 2006, as well as for Brown University earlier in his career. Most recently, he was a consultant in Indianapolis for various intercollegiate athletic programs. 

ampions h C lay CSU PERSPECTIVE 19

William r. martin Professor Emeritus MUSIC Reflect on your years at CSU – After earning my Ph.D. in musicology at Oxford University, I began teaching at CSU in 1966. The Music Department consisted of just one other member! Within a relatively short time, we expanded to a full- and part-time faculty of nearly 40 members, with majors at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Developing the curriculum and faculty was both a challenge and a wonderful opportunity to be part of the excitement that comes with creating something new. Throughout my tenure, I was head of both Graduate Studies in Music and Music History, as well as a conductor in our choral program. I retired in 1993.

Favorite part of working at CSU – My most fulfilling teaching experience, which I feel significantly affected the lives of students, came when history Professor Timothy Runyan and I developed an arts and history curriculum for a summer course of study in residence at the University of London. This successful program was offered on a biennial basis from 1971 through 1991, and served as a model for other foreign study programs throughout the University.

Another fulfilling experience, which had a lasting effect on the Music Department, came my way with the construction of the Music and Communication building. I was appointed principal department planning coordinator in 1980; the building was completed in 1990. Architect Peter van Dijk and I were nominated for a 1990-91 Achievement Award in Architecture by Northern Ohio Live.

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Career Achievements – As a performer, I have singing credits with a wide range of experience as a recitalist, and as a specialist in oratorio, including appearances as soloist with Robert Shaw and Louis Lane in major choral works. During those active singing years, I was a regular guest soloist at universities and cities across Ohio and the surrounding states as well as in England. Certainly one of my proudest moments was when CSU awarded me the Distinguished Emeritus Faculty honorary degree at spring commencement this year. I am truly humbled to receive this recognition.

Importance of CSU – It has been particularly gratifying for me to see the growing national and international acknowledgement of CSU as a major educational institution. The constant expansion of CSU's facilities alone is impressive, but just as impressive is the integration of CSU with other Cleveland-area institutions to create countless advantages for both the University and the community. Part of our growing reputation lies in the fact that graduates of CSU are now mature enough to have established recognition for their achievements.

How Is retirement – I continue to work regularly on publications, travel extensively, spend time with my son in San Francisco and my daughter and family in Leesburg, Va., teach courses on a part-time basis, give guest lectures, and take an active role as a board member of several organizations, including the Cleveland Chamber Music Society. As a founder and former three-term president of CSU’s Retired Faculty Association, I enjoy returning to campus and keeping in touch with my colleagues. 

And the survey says . . .

JOIN THE BOARD

You Spoke, We Listened

of the CSU Alumni Association,

Thank you to the thousands of individuals who participated in the 2009 CSU Alumni Survey.

Designed to gauge alumni perceptions, the survey had several goals: measuring alumni satisfaction with CSU, both as students and graduates; improving CSU’s understanding of alumni attitudes toward their alma mater; providing alumni with an opportunity to have a say in CSU’s ongoing strategic plan; and helping CSU prioritize investment in future projects.

More than 10,000 alumni received the survey, electronically or by mail.

Response rate topped 21 percent, with 2,307 alumni completing the questionnaire and sharing valuable attitudes and opinions with CSU.

Among the findings: • S ome 96 percent of alumni enjoyed their CSU student experience; overall satisfaction was 3.9 on a one-to-five scale.

• Caliber of faculty, accessibility of faculty and quality of academic program all ranked 4.0.

• B y a ratio of 5.8 to 1, alumni agreed they were regularly challenged to meet their full academic potential.

• Nearly 70 percent reported that certain faculty, staff, coaches or administrators strongly influenced their campus experience.

• By a ratio of 8.2 to 1, alumni said they were proud to be a CSU graduate.

• H ig her education ra n ked h ig hest among their philanthropic priorities.

Lookout Management Inc. conducted and analyzed the survey on behalf of CSU. Recommendations resulting from the survey include: • The Alumni Affairs Office should offer more online and on-site career development and networking programs, as well as more lectures and seminars on topical issues.

• An alumni email directory should be offered.

• C SU should actively pursue expansion of its volunteer program as some 79 0 a lu m n i ex pressed i nterest i n volunteering.

“We are deeply grateful to those alumni who took the time to share their opinions,” said Steven A. Minter, interim vice president for advancement. “This valuable input will help the University better serve alumni and students and will also help determine future endeavors.” 

If you are an active member why not consider serving on the board of directors?

Directors are elected to three-year terms. Duties include attending meetings and networking events, providing financial support to the University and the Association, and assisting with strategic planning and fundraising. For details, visit www.csuohio.edu/alumni

SPECIAL EVENTS KEEP ALUMNI BUSY TGIF socials, About Town East and West lectures, Viking and professional sports outings, Green & White Society recept i o n s , M e e t t h e P r e s id e n t oppor tunities — these are just some of the local and outof-town activities hosted by CSU’s Alumni Association and Office of Special Events during this academic year. Don’t be left out. Update your contact information at www.csuohio. edu/alumni/myinfo — then watch for your invitations to have fun!

CSU PERSPECTIVE 21

D A A

istinguished

lumni

20

th annual

Th e D i s t i n g u i s h e d A l u m n i Awa rd s p ro g ra m h onors graduates w h i l e p rov id i n g s c h o l a r s h i p s f o r s t u d e nt s l i ke R amona Wilson, re cip ie nt of t he DA A Le ade r s hi p S c ho l ar s hi p fu n ded by th e a n n u a l e ve nt.

After a decade-long hiatus to focus on her family, the mother of six returned to CSU to complete her bachelor’s degree. The DAA Leadership Scholarship helps pay her $8,000-plus annual tuition but for Ramona, the award means much more than financial assistance. “ Th e s c h o l a r s h i p h a s e n co u ra g e d m e to t a ke on a leadership rol e,” s ays t he pre s i de nt o f C S U ’s St u d e nt s Today, Al u m n i Tom or row o rgani z at i o n. I n f ac t, R amo na ha s ch an ged h er p rofe s s ion a l di re c t i o n, now as p i r i ng to wo r k in l eadersh ip, a d va n ce m e nt o r ad v i s i ng o n a co l l e g e c ampu s.

Th o s e w h o s p o n s o r a n d at te n d DA A c a n t a ke p ride in knowing t h e i r s u p p o r t i s h e l p i n g f u n d s c h o l a r s h i p s t hat will inspire future graduates, 85 percent of whom stay, work and contribute to Nor th e a s t Ohi o.

Sponsors for this year’s DAA were Parker Hannifin, Medical Mutual of Ohio, the Ohio Educational Credit Union, Nurenberg, Paris, Heller & McCarthy Co., L.P.A., the College of Graduate Studies, the CSU Foundation, Middough Inc., Cohen & Company, Watterson & Associates, GCA Services Group, Osborn Engineering, 22 WWW.CSUOHIO.EDU and Marous Brothers Construction. 

wards

The Dis tinguished Alumni Awar ds celebrated it s 20 th anniversary by saluting nine outstanding graduates for their service, leadership and career achievements.

A capacity audience of more than 600 people, including 36 former award recipients and 14 former presidents and board members of the Alumni Association, filled the ballroom of the InterContinental Hotel and Conference Center for the gala event in early June. Past and present “alumni stars” were celebrated through video presentations and lively remarks as hundreds of star-shaped silver balloons bearing alumni names and twinkling lights sparkled in the ballroom.

The four women and five men receiving award plaques this year have distinguished themselves through professional and personal successes. They are excellent ambassadors for Cleveland State and the quality education provided by the University.

The list of honorees over the past 20 years is storied — 143 men and women who have earned bachelor, master or doctoral degrees and have achieved success. This year’s class continues the tradition of excellence.  2010 award recipients and program participants .

Distinguished alumni awards Hall of Fame ✦ Dr. Patricia A. Ackerman ✦ Carmen R. Adams ✦ Gary S. Adams ✦ Ronald B. Adrine ✦ Monte Ahuja ✦ Joseph E. Andry ✦ Edson R. “Ted” Arneault ✦ Danferd C. Avis ✦ Dr. George Y. Baaklini ✦ Dr. Danute Bankaitis-Davis ✦ Alvin M. Barkley ✦ Eugene P. Baxendale ✦ Dr. Steven G. Belovich ✦ Ronald A. Bender ✦ Sheryl King Benford ✦ Joseph Bergant, II ✦ Edward A. Bernetich ✦ Edward L. Bitterman ✦ Craig A. Black ✦ Rosemary L. Bognar ✦ Maria Isabel Boss ✦ Gregory L. Brown ✦ June Gibbs Brown ✦ Keith E. Brown ✦ Dr. Nona M. Burney ✦ Jane L. Campbell ✦ Anthony J. Celebrezze, Jr. ✦ Dr. Michael A. Centanni ✦ Alcillia J. Clifford ✦ Gregory F. Clifford ✦ Michael L. Climaco ✦ William H. Compton ✦ Father Kevin M. Conroy, Ph.D. ✦ Anthony J. Coyne ✦ Dr. Jack E. Crow ✦ Kathleen H. Crowther ✦ Dr. Robert Cutietta ✦ Pamela A. Daiker-Middaugh ✦ William M. Denihan ✦ Dr. Ralph A. DiFranco ✦ Dr. Daniel D. Drake ✦ J. Edward Easler, II ✦ Carol G. Emerling ✦ Charles R. Emrick, Jr. ✦ Jose C. Feliciano ✦ John J. Ferchill ✦ Myron Filarski ✦ Scott C. Finerman ✦ George L. Forbes ✦ Dr. Donna Y. Ford-Harris ✦ Dr. Christopher Fox ✦ Georgia A. Froelich ✦ Col. Henry Gariepy ✦ Linda S. Gipson ✦ Larry C. Glasscock ✦ Gerald H. Gordon ✦ Mary C. Grimm ✦ Timothy F. Hagan ✦ Dr. Roshanak Hakimzadeh ✦ Kenwood H. Hall ✦ James A. Harmon ✦ Patricia A. Hemann ✦ Dr. Margaret J. Raub Hunt ✦ William J. Hunt ✦ Frances Hunter ✦ Frank G. Jackson ✦ Robert B. Jaquay ✦ Edward J. Jayjack, Sr. ✦ Dr. Carolyn Jefferson-Jenkins ✦ Vicki Eaton Johnson ✦ Charles H. “Chip” Joseph ✦ Anand “Bill” Julka ✦ Dr. Andrius Kazlauskas ✦ Dr. Benjamin W. Kearney ✦ K. Mark Kevesdy ✦ Grace Kilbane ✦ Stephen F. Kirk ✦ Dr. Dezso J. Ladanyi ✦ Dr. Deforia S. Lane ✦ Ronald R. Ledin ✦ Ruthanne L. Lennox ✦ Fred Lick, Jr. ✦ Emily A. Lipovan ✦ Dr. Kofi Lomotey ✦ Alex Machaskee ✦ James G. MacMillan ✦ Dr. Paul S. Malchesky ✦ Charlene W. Mancuso ✦ Donald H. Marcus ✦ James C. Mastandrea ✦ Valarie J. McCall ✦ Daniel R. McCarthy, Sr. ✦ Ann McManamon ✦ Randell McShepard ✦ Cynthia A. Moore-Hardy ✦ Dr. Christine S. Moravec ✦ Robert L. Norton ✦ Maureen O’Connor ✦ Terrence O’Donnell ✦ George J. Palko ✦ Paul N. Patton ✦ Steven W. Percy ✦ Raymond L. Pianka ✦ Leon M. Plevin ✦ Kathryn M. Oko Powers ✦ C. J. Prentiss ✦ Andrew F. Puzder ✦ Roland L. Rainone ✦ David R. Reines ✦ Dr. Elaine B. Richardson ✦ Dr. Danielle N. Ripich ✦ Katie M. Robinson ✦ Dennis J. Roche ✦ Linda Rocker ✦ Dr. Catherine M. Rokicky ✦ Christopher S. Ronayne ✦ Timothy J. Russert ✦ Dr. Dorothy C. Salem ✦ Richard J. Schindler ✦ Kenneth J. Semelsberger ✦ James A. Sipos ✦ Dr. Stephen R. Sroka, Sr. ✦ Carl L. Stern ✦ Melody J. Stewart ✦ Louis Stokes ✦ Jana V. Stone ✦ J Maurice Struchen ✦ Lisa Suarez-Caraballo ✦ Gary C. Suhadolnik ✦ John J. “Chips” Sutula ✦ Dr. Margaret R. Taber ✦ James A. Thomas ✦ P. Kelly Tompkins ✦ Lloyd G. Trotter ✦Christopher W. Vasil ✦ Donald E. Washkewicz ✦ Thomas S. Watson, Jr. ✦ Lesley B. Wells ✦ George W. White ✦ Bertram L. Wolstein ✦ Ellis Z. Yan ✦ Dr. Nche P. Zama

D i s t i n g u i s h e d A lu m n i Aw a r d R e c i p i e n t s GEO RGE B. DAV IS AWA R D F O R SER V ICE TO THE UNI V ERSIT Y Irene A. Holyk Rennillo, JD ’83 President and Co-Founder Rennillo Deposition and Discovery The Rennillo Foundation

N A NCE CO LLEGE O F B USINESS A D MINISTR ATIO N Saji T. Daniel, BBA ’90 President and Chief Executive Officer Tradex International, Inc.

CO LLEGE O F E D UC ATIO N A N D HUM A N SER V ICES Catherine S. Koppelman, BSN ‘78 RN, MSN, NEA-BC Chief Nursing Officer University Hospitals & University Hospitals Case Medical Center F ENN CO LLEGE O F ENGINEERING Terrence V. Zuk, BSIET ’64 Retired Plant Manager PCC Airfoils, Inc.

College of Graduate S t udi es Tanisha R. Briley, MPA ’05 Assistant to the City Administrator and Budget Manager City of Davenport, Iowa

CLEVEL A ND -MA RSH A LL COLLEGE OF L AW David M. Paris, JD ’78 Managing Partner Nurenberg, Paris, Heller & McCarthy Co., L.P.A.

COLLEGE OF LIB ER A L A RTS A ND SOCIA L SCIENCES Miriam Solomon Plax, BA ’75 Director of Community Relations Department of Psychiatry University Hospitals Case Medical Center

COLLEGE OF SCIENCE Dr. David G. Watterson Jr., MA ’72 Senior Partner/Owner Watterson & Associates

MA XINE GOOD MA N LE VIN COLLEGE OF URB A N A F FA IRS John J. Boyle III, MUPDD ’02 Vice President, Business Affairs and Finance Cleveland State University

CSU PERSPECTIVE 23

H E LPING

YOUNG

MINDS

At a Whi te House ceremony, Sally Pellegr in received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.

24 WWW.CSUOHIO.EDU

DISCOV E R

SCI E NC E

The two-time alumna credits CSU for her love of learning and teaching.

alumni Q&A 

Why did you choose CSU? I began my collegiate career on a residential campus in Ohio. But with insufficient motivation and too little self-discipline, I completed only two years with a less-than-admirable grade point average. I then got married and my mother bet me that I would never earn my undergraduate degree. To prove her wrong, I transferred to Cleveland State where I joined the ranks of countless students who were resolutely determined to complete their degrees.

CSU was, and still is, an affordable commuter school that attracted highly motivated students who were driven to receive a college education.

Importance of CSU in your life? I struggled until taking courses in the College of Education and Human Services where I was pursuing a dual major in elementary and physical education. Even though the courses I took required a lot of work and the completion of numerous projects, lesson plans, and teaching units, something clicked. With the assistance and encouragement of fellow students, I also found the support I needed. I earned my bachelor’s degree in education in 1974, followed by a master’s in curriculum and instruction in 1993. More importantly, I found my love of learning.

Best thing about Cleveland State? CSU is a portal to success. I learned many life lessons, including how to work with others toward a common goal. I also learned the importance of valuing my own ideas and working toward realizing my dreams. And I learned that teachers have an effect on students that goes beyond the classroom. I learned that we can say one thing that may spark an image that can stop a learner or set him or her flying — or maybe both.

What do you enjoy about teaching? I started teaching in the Cleveland Metropolitan Schools in 1989 — first at East Madison, then Kenneth Clement, and Clara Westropp for the past 20 years. I love the prep work necessary for hands-on science lessons. Have you ever given a child one wire, a battery and a light bulb and then watched them struggle to turn

that light on? I offer encouragement, but never the answer.

And when that light finally blinks and they realize their accomplishment, I know I have them hooked on science and discovering their world. There’s nothing like the words, “Oh . . . I get it!” Teachers live for those words. They give us validation. They keep us coming back for more.

How did the Presidential Award come about?

I was nominated by the Cleveland Schools, learned I was a state finalist in July 2008, and received an e-mail telling me I had actually won the award in July 2009. About that same time, I learned I had Hodgkin’s Disease. The race was on to get me healthy again! I not only got healthy, I even had my hair back in time for the Washington, D.C. trip this past January. I’m not the only Cleveland Metropolitan Schools teacher to have ever won the award; in total, five teachers have won.

I am humbled to be in such an elite field. I still can’t believe it happened.

How was the White House ceremony? Being in the same room with President Obama was awesome. He talked about how appreciative he was of us and in the next breath, talked about helping his daughters with homework. He wanted our advice! Then we went to the press conference.

They really made us feel important. In addition to the trip to Washington, I got a certificate and letter signed by the president, a group picture of all the winners and President Obama, and a $10,000 check from the National Science Foundation.

What are your proudest achievements? Surviving cancer . . . and this award!

Any more goals? My goal was to be a teacher who makes a difference. I think I have done that and will keep doing it until I retire. Learning never stops and CSU helped me to become the teacher I am today. 

CSU PERSPECTIVE 25

 class NOTES

1960s Thomas J. Scanlon, JD ’63, is the first Ohioan named to the “Irish Legal 100” by Irish America magazine. He was presented the award at the home of the Irish ambassador to the United States. Scanlon, senior managing partner of Collins & Scanlon LLP, also received the Pillar Award as nonprofit board executive of the year for his work with the West Side Ecumenical Ministr y. The award was presented by Medical Mutual of Ohio and Smart Business magazine.

D r . A n t h o n y J . S u m o d i , B S ’6 5, w as appointed secretary to the board of Polytech, Inc. Sagamore Hills resident and retired East High School teacher Kenneth Hoehn, BS ’69, had an endowed scholarship named after him in The Ohio State University School of Social Work. The Kenneth and Lynette Hoehn Scholarship was initiated by a former student who is now an OSU professor.

1970s

Evelyn Gajowski, BA ’71, is a professor of English at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas and has published three books on Shakespeare.

Marshall McDowell Sr., BA ’75, is retired and lives in Chicago.

Chuck Mintz, MSEE ’76, is a photographer whose work was recently shown in Seattle, Portland and New Orleans. His book, The Album Project, documents the stor y and photos of his autistic son, Isaac.

Anthony Messina, BBA ’76, is the founder and president of certified public accounting firm Messina & Co., Inc. He also is the head volleyball coach at Padua Franciscan High School in Parma.

Thomas Riccio, BA ’78, is a professor of performance studies, arts and technology at the University of Texas at Dallas. He recently directed a performance in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Richard E. Sarosi, BA ’78, recently retired from the Cuyahoga County Office of Human Resources. He lives in Solon.

Anita Dloniak, BA ’79, is a national press agent who has represented 40 Broadway tours.

Edmund A. Rossman, BA ’79, adult services librarian at the Shaker Heights Public Library, is the 2010 winner of the Public Librarian Support Award, administered by

26 WWW.CSUOHIO.EDU

the Reference and User Services Association for public librarians who provide outstanding business reference services.

Investment advisor William M. Prebel, BBA ’86, lives in Lakewood and is the vice president of PNC Wealth Management.

1980s

Michelle Miller, BA ’89, lives in Warren, where she is a disabled rights activist and mission worker. She has been accepted at Youngstown State University’s graduate school.

Louis J. Licata, BS ’80, was named an Ohio Super Law yer for the sixth time by Super Lawyers magazine. He is the founder and president of Licata & Toerek.

Mark LaPlace, BBA ’80, was named chair of the Accountancy Board of Ohio. He is a certified public accountant and director of tax services at GBQ Partners in Columbus.

John Clague, BS ’80, was upgraded to international captain with Delta Airlines. He flies Boeing 767s out of the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky airport.

Linas Jokubaitis, BS ’80, is a sales representative with MidContinental Chemical Company. The Lakewood resident has more than 25 years of experience in the refining and petroleum marketing industries.

Walter Smiechewicz, BS ’81, is the chief consultant with Audit Integrity. His work in enterprise risk management has been recognized as best in class by the Institute of Internal Auditors.

Christine Ziehmgesicki, BS ’81, lives in Parma and is president of Granny's Gypsy Magic, which specializes in tarot readings.

Tina Haddad, BA ’82, was named a “Woman of Note” by Crain’s Cleveland Business. She is the president of R-H Industries, Inc. R o s a M . D e l V e c c h i o , BA ’82 and M A ’84, had a poem, “Passage to America,” accepted for publication in Tulane Review, a Tulane University biannual literary journal that receives approximately 1,200 submissions per year and accepts 30. Her poem “Castle Ruins” was recently published in Har vests of New Millennium Journal, an annual publication in India.

Bertha Frieson, BA ’82, MS urban studies ’88 and MEd ’92, recently retired as a safety specialist with the U.S. Postal Service.

Gary Adams, JD ’83, stepped down after 23 years as president of the Greater Cleveland Automobile Dealers’ Association. A 2009 CSU Distinguished Alumni Award winner, he continues to serve as president of the Cleveland Auto Show.

Nanci Gravill, BA ’86, is the author of Fresh Hope . . . Cleveland.

Larry E. Hodges, BSEE ’89, lives in Homerville, Ga., where he is an ordained minister with Antioch First Baptist Church. He recently published the book The Battle of Life: Recognizing the Adversary.

E l i z a b e t h A . C r o s b y , JD ’89, was named a 2010 Ohio Super Lawyer by Super Lawyers magazine. She chairs the employment, labor and workers’ compensation practice at Licata & Toerek.

K a t h y L e a v e n w o r t h , BA ’89, was appointed by Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland to the State Board of Education.

 1990s Rosa Johnson, BA ’91, lives in Cleveland Heights and is a clinical adjunct instructor with the Ursuline College Breen School of Nursing. She was among four individuals featured as “The Faces of Nursing” in the summer 2009 issue of the Greater Cleveland Nurses Association magazine and in Cleveland magazine.

Howard Thompson, MPA ’92, is the manager of the Beachwood Business Development Center, working out of the city’s department of economic development.

Lou Tisler, BBA ’92 and MBA ’94, was elected president of the National NeighborWorks Association board of directors. He is the executive director of Neighborhood Housing Services of Greater Cleveland.

Desiree R. James, BA ’93, lives in Cleveland and has opened her own business, A New Day Counseling Services, LLC, which works with nursing homes and rehab facilities.

Adam E. Carr, JD ’93, has been named a 2010 Ohio Super Lawyer for his work on insurance coverage. The Carr Law Office, LLC, is located in Hudson.

L i z a G r o s s m a n , B . M u s i c ’9 3, i s t h e founder/conductor of Cleveland’s Contemporary Youth Orchestra. She lives in Cleveland Heights.

 See Class Notes online at www.csuohio.edu/alumni

Michael Seese, MA ’94, lives in Chagrin Falls and has published three books: Haunting Valley, a compilation of ghost stories from the Chagrin Valley area, Scrappy Information Security with tips on protecting online security, and Scrappy Business Contingency Planning.

James E. Lockard, BA ’94, is a driving instructor with the Top Driver Driving School.

He lives in Fairview Park.

Scott Sarles, BA ’95, lives in Medina and is the founder and president of the Cleveland-Akron Senior Living Link, a free referral service that guides families in need of senior living options and home care services in eight Northeast Ohio counties.

Peter Chakerian, BA ’95, is the author of Pop Goes Cleveland, celebrating the relationship between the region and its residents.

He is the managing editor of the e-newsletter CoolCleveland.com.

Bruce Locke, B.Music ’96, was noted in the Chagrin Valley Times for his role in the play “Radio Boy” at the Geauga Theater in Chardon.

Bennie Neal, MEd ’96, was promoted to curriculum specialist for social studies and special education in the East Cleveland schools. The Cleveland resident is also the coordinator for East Cleveland’s GED/ABLE program.

Becky Cholewka, MPA ’96, is an attorney and partner with Cholewka Guymon, PLLC, in Phoenix, Ariz.

Robyn N. Gordon, MBA ’96, was named to the U.S. government’s Senior Executive Service as director of center operations at the NASA Glenn Research Center, where she manages resource allocation and overall organization direction. She lives in Beachwood.

Gwendolyn L. Davis Jackson, BSEE ’97, is the author of A Champion Mother: Giving Her Baby a Gift of Love and the president and CEO of Handmaiden by Gwen J., which designs specialty handbags. Her collection has been featured in Essence magazine. She lives in Cleveland.

Charles Green, BS ’34, in September 2009; August Pryatel, JD ’42, in February 2010; Arthur Fowles, B S CE ’4 3, in November 2008; John Hakkio, BS ’43, in February 2010; Richard Weber, BBA ’47, in December 2008; Ernest Benko, BS ’49, in April 2010; Wayne Matz, BS ’51, in March 2010; Fred Weishar, JD ’54, in April 2010; Jane Kennedy, JD ’56, in October 2007; Frank D. Celebrezze, JD ’56, in March 2010; Paul Donaldson, JD ’57, in December 2009; Marvin Sorin, JD ’59, in January 2010; Frank Schweingruber, BS’61,in November 20 09; Henry Hentemann, JD ’63, in October 2009; Kenneth Ramsey, JD ’63, in March 2010; Isidore Butas, BA ’63, in April 2010; Gary Vest, BSEE ’65, in June 2008; John Miller, JD ’66, in August 2009; Steven Laver, JD ’68, in November 2009; Donald Welsh, JD ’69, in February 2010; Thomas Hermann, JD ’69, in April 2010; Liselotte Martin, BBA ’70, in April 2009; Donald Hersman, B B A ’71, i n N o v e m b e r 2 0 0 9; Louis Drescher, BBA ’71, in November 2009; Leo Johnson Jr., BBA ’71, in November 2009; Norbert Allmendinger, BA ’71, in March 2010; Anita Frantz, BSEd ’71, BA ’76 and MA ’78, in November 2006; Edward Young, MSEd ’72 and MS urban affairs ’73, in February 2010; Annamarie Zoldak, BSCE ’73, in September 2009; Bobbie Jean Moss Davis, MEd ’75, in Februar y 2010; David Linick, JD ’75, in N ovemb er 20 0 9; Alma Goodyear Applegate, BEd ’75 and MEd ’81, in November 2009; Anthony Descenza,

Edwin J. Muccillo, MSEE ’97, was elected as an owner of Burgess & Niple, Inc. He has been with the firm for 16 years and currently serves as district director of the Tempe, Ariz. office.

Bill Snow, BBA ’98, joined XO Commu nications as a national account manager.

He recently graduated from Case Western Reserve University’s Weatherhead School of Management with an MBA degree.

Jamie M. Nagle, BS ’99 and JD ’02, is an associate with Weltman, Weinberg & Reis Co., L.P.A., working in the bankruptcy department of the Brooklyn Heights center.

 See Class Notes online at www.csuohio.edu/alumni

MS ’76, in September 2009; Joseph G o l u b s k i , M S ’ 76 , i n A p r i l 2 0 1 0 ; Judith Smith, BA ’77, in January 2010; Dennis Divis, BBA ’77, in January 2010; Abbey David Lafer, JD ’77, in February 2010; Claudette Woodard, MEd ’78, in February 2010; Gregory Stiles, MEd ’78, in February 2010; James Williams, MEd ’79, in January 2008; Mary Beth Richlovsky, BA ’80, in January 2010; Gene Pristash, BBA ’84, in December 2008; Rita CiofaniKercher, JD ’8 5, in F e br u ar y 2010; Luis Pla, BA ’85, in January 2010; Julie Michos, BA ’85 and MA ’90, in February 2010; James Schnitzer, BS ’85 and MS ’90, in August 2008; Steven Paulin, BS ’86, in September 2008; Joyce Wagner, BS ’86, in April 2010; James Meyers, MA ’88, in January 2010; Dianna Lynne Pollard Strainic, BBA ’89, in February 2010; Ruthanne Lennox, BA ’89, in March 2010; Susan Whitlock-Ruma, BSEd ’90, in April 2010; Jose Enrique DeLeon, JD ’92, in January 2010; Thomas E. Gallagher, BA ’92, in October 2009; Andrew P. Love, BBA ’92, in August 2009; Dale Polick, MEd ’94, in January 2010; Bruce Hodge, JD ’95, in December 2009; Matthew Michael Antich, JD ’96, in February 2010; Rebecca Hornack, BA ’96, in September 2009; Robert Atchison, MBA ’98, in February 2010; Alvin Gunnoe, BBA ’01 in December 2007; Meredith Ann Heider, BA ’01 and MSW ’05, in March 2009; Deborah Smiley, MS/JD ’02, in December 2009. 

2000s Joni Ledinsky Fehlner, BA ’00 and MBA ’06, was promoted to manager of the joint treatment and tape depar tment at USG Interiors’ Gypsum, Ohio plant. She had been serving as production manager at the Westlake/AMC plant. She is the president of the CSU Alumni Association’s Engineering Alumni Chapter.

Thelma Lorentz Kumar, BA urban studies ’01, was installed as secretary of the Rankin County, Mississippi Federation of Democratic Women. She is one of the group’s founding members.

Rhonda Stapleton, BA ’01 and MA ’06, has published Stupid Cupid, the first novel in a trilogy.

CSU PERSPECTIVE 27

inMEMORIAM

Deviani M. Kuhar, JD ’94, joined the Benesch law firm as a partner and co-chair of the estate planning and probate practice group.

Deborah Cich, MBA ’02, is a senior mortgage analyst with Forest City Capital Corporation. A certified public accountant, she formerly served as a financial analyst for Forest City Finance Corporation.

William J. Mountcastle, MPA ’03, joined the board of directors of the Center for Community Solutions. The Avon Lake resident is the vice president of institutional relations and development for University Hospitals.

Sheryl Lynn Smith Thomas, MA ’04, is the first female director of Ohio’s largest men’s homeless shelter, a 365-bed facility in downtown Cleveland. She lives in Moreland Hills.

Playwright Michael Oatman, BA ’04 and MA ’08, was featured in the New York Times article “Tupac Shakur, Immortalized Again.”

Oatman’s play The War Between Pac and B.I.G. was performed at Karamu House this spring.

Michelle Judd, M.Music ’05, joined the Scripps Network as office coordinator for the senior vice president of advertising sales for HGTV.

What’s new with you?

Katherine Knouff, BS ’05 and JD ’09, joined the Akron office of Roetzel & Andress as an associate attorney. At Cleveland-Marshall, she received the Hugo Black Award for Outstanding Oralist in the Upper Division Intramural Moot Court Competition and served as business editor of the Journal of Law and Health.

Celeste Cappotto, MA ’06, is the director of development at Seton Catholic School of Hudson.

Teresa M. Obrero, BA urban studies ’07, graduated with a master of public policy and master of social work degree from the University of Minnesota, where she received the President’s Student Leadership and Service Award.

Cynthia Huff, BS ’07, and many members of her family participated in the Disney Marathon to raise funds for the American Cancer Society.

John Hausman, MPA ’07, is the energ y conservation assistant program manager with the Detroit Shoreway Community Development Organization.

Brittany D. Neal, BSEd ’08, lives in Lakewood, is a third-grade teacher, and is working on her master’s degree in curriculum.

Brenda Sweet, JD/MPA ’09, joined Tucker Ellis & West LLP as an associate in the Cleveland office. As a student, she served as editor of the Cleveland - Marshall Law Review.

Daniel Langshaw, BA ’09, was elected to the North Royalton school board. He is the youngest resident to be elected in the city.

Diana Lynn Thompson Neal, MSEd ’09, lives in Cleveland and is an intervention specialist. She completed the Read 180 training program and plans to begin doctoral studies in education. 

J i m S a g e r , h e a d f e n c i n g c o a c h, i n December 2009. He joined CSU in 1999 and retired in 2008.

Lucian Dixon, print machine operator in CSU’s duplicating department for 32 years, in January 2010.

Gloria Joy Battisti in Januar y 2010.

Mrs. Battisti was a member of the CSU board of trustees from 1972 to 1981 and served one term as chair.

James Steiner, BA ’76 and JD ’83, in Januar y 2010. Mr. Steiner ser ved as CSU’s controller from 1977 to 1999.

Mary Patterson in January 2010. Mrs. Patterson was the wife of the late William “Doc” Patterson, former professor, dean and provost of both Fenn College and Cleveland State.

Paul Olynyk, associate professor emeritus of chemistr y, in March 2010. Dr. Olynyk joined Fenn College in 1959 and retired from CSU 30 years later.

Samuel Maine, a CSU police officer for 16 years, in March 2010.

Judge Ann Aldrich in May 2010. Judge Aldrich was a professor in the ClevelandMarshall College of Law from 1968 to 1980. 

Let your classmates know what you’ve been doing!

Send information about new jobs, promotions, awards, educational or professional accomplishments, and death notices to: Perspective, Cleveland State University, 2121 Euclid Ave., KB 300, Cleveland OH 44115, fax to 216-687-9278, or e-mail b.chudzik@csuohio.edu

HERE’S MY NEWS

Name Former Name (if applicable) College (Business, Education, Law, etc.)

Degree

Graduation Date

Address City

State

Is this address new?

q Yes

Zip

q No

Phone (work)

(home)

E-mail Address (work)

(home)

Job Title/Place of Employment

Work Address 28 WWW.CSUOHIO.EDU

 See Class Notes online at www.csuohio.edu/alumni

CLEVELAND STATE deaths

 class NOTES

a will to give Steve Percy is committed to making a difference at Cleveland State University.

Both now and in the future.

The retired president and CEO of BP America earned his law degree, cum laude, in 1979 after five years of night classes. In gratitude for the education that helped make him a success, he: • Volunteeers — as vice chair of the CSU Foundation, chair of its Investment Committee, chair of the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law National Advisory Council and member of its Development Council • S upports CSU — with gifts that include $100,000 to the law school’s Fund for Excellence • Plans ahead with planned giving — establishing the Steven and Barbara Percy Endowment Fund to benefit the College of Law through a $200,000 bequest in his will.

Just like Steve, you can make a difference.

Get involved Make a gift, large or small And include Cleveland State University in your long-term financial plan You’ll impact higher education today and for generations to come.

For information, visit www.csuohio.edu/giving, email giving@csuohio.edu or call 216-687-3557

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Perspective 2121 Euclid Avenue KB 300 Cleveland, Ohio 44115

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