Case alumnus summer fall 2013

The Magazine of the Case Alumni Association Summer-Fall 2013 I VOL. 25 I no. 1

Also inside:Students and alumni share their Case experienceHonoring outstanding alumni and friendsWhere are they now? NASA!

An i l lustrious past

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case alumnus magazine

Co-sponsored by the Case Alumni Association. For more information and to register for these and other Alumni Weekend events, visit casealum.org/experience2013.

Please join us during Alumni Weekend Sept. 26-29 to celebrate the Department of Chemical Engineering’s 100th anniversary

100 years of chemical engineering

FRI., SEPT. 27, 10–11:30 A.M. Learn about the department’s century of influence and innovation from chair Uziel Landau at a special Chemical Engineering Think Forum.

SAT., SEPT. 28, 9 A.M.–1 P.M. Tour labs, have lunch with faculty and hear more about our latest innovations in research and teaching at the Chemical Engineering Department Open House.

CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY

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Dear Alumni and Friends of the Case School of Engineering,

Exponential functions: we all know them, have experienced them and appreciate the rapid growth they can represent. Per Metcalfe’s law, a telecommunications network’s value is proportional to the square of the number of users connected to the system. If you extend that from communication devices to individuals — each with their own personal networks — the function grows even faster and geographically encircles the globe.

When I completed my undergraduate degree in 1981, individuals were considered to be able to reliably and robustly maintain personal networks of about 15 people. In this digital age with virtually free communication, the network has grown exponentially and been explicitly

spelled out via the emergence of Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. We now have immediate access to networks that are 100 to 1,000 times larger and thus provide greater advantage and opportunity.

And even in this digital age, face-to-face networking is still a vital component. That is why we have taken this year’s Homecoming Weekend Dean’s Reception and completely revamped the format. We’re introducing a free-flowing experience with interactive displays that highlight the current pursuits of our faculty and students. From a student- invented fuel-cell driven bicycle to biologically inspired robots to our sun farm, we’ll have it all on display for you to explore — all while you mingle and network with faculty, students and fellow alumni. I’m very excited about this updated format, and I hope you will join us on Friday, Sept. 27.

At this reception will also be almost all of the Case Alumni Association’s alumni award recipients. From notable alumni to some of our professors to our university’s own president, these award winners are an amazing cross-section of our school’s diversity, and showcase the breadth of knowledge we have within our network. We are very proud of these award recipients, and I congratulate each of them for this well-deserved honor.

Last, I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the loss of a dear friend of our school, Frank Gerace. Mr. Gerace graduated from the Case Institute of Technology in 1948 and went on to a successful career in the construction indus-try. More importantly, Frank was the embodiment of the Case culture: a lifelong learner. Earlier this year, at the age of 91, Frank received the Dean’s Lifetime Service Award at our E-Week banquet as a result of his many contributions to our Civil Engineering Department. Unable to attend the ceremony, Frank jumped on his computer and learned how to video record his thoughts and post them to YouTube so that everyone at the banquet could hear his motivational words to our students. It is that sort of openness to try something new that hallmarks Mr. Gerace as a Case graduate, and thanks in part to his generosity to the school over the years, we are continuing to instill that spirit in all of our students. They are part of the Case brand that began more than 100 years ago, and continues today.

Sincerely,

Jeffrey L. Duerk, PhD ’87Dean and Leonard Case Professor of Engineering

A Message from the Case School of Engineering

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The Case Alumni Association serves the interests of more than 20,000 alumni of the Case School of Applied Science, Case Institute of Technology and the Case School of Engineering. Its mission is to

serve and advance the interests of the Case School of Engineering, the math and applied sciences of

Case Western Reserve University, its alumni and its students, through a strategic focus on fundraising, institutional leadership, responsive services, public

relations and student programs.

Established in 1885 by the first five graduates of the Case School of Applied Science, the Case Alumni

Association is the oldest independent alumni association of engineering and applied science

graduates in the nation.

The Case alumnus is a publication of the Case Alumni Association, Inc., a 501(c)3

public charity under the IRS code.

CASE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION, INC.Tomlinson Hall, Room 109

10900 Euclid AvenueCleveland, OH 44106-1712

Phone: 216-231-4567Fax: 216-231-5715

Web: www.casealum.orgEmail: [email protected]

OFFICERSEdward P. McHenry ’67, MBA ’71, President

Bruce W. Eckstein ’60, 1st Vice PresidentJames R. Sadowski ’63, MS ’67, 2nd Vice President

Richard B. Smith ’51, SecretaryJeffrey Herzog ’79, Treasurer

Ronald J. Cass ’84, Assistant Treasurer

STAFFStephen J. Zinram, Executive Director

Thomas J. Conlon, Chief Financial OfficerAnne E. Cunningham, Senior Director of Development

Terri Mrosko, Director of CommunicationsDaniel Dean, Director of Alumni & Student Relations

Paul Stephan ’64, Development Officer Diane M. Zaffuto, Database Manager

Pamela A. Burtonshaw, Database AssistantNancy A. Lupi, Executive Assistant

CASE ALUMNUSTerri Mrosko, Editor

Claire McBroom, Assistant EditorSteve Toth, J. Toth Graphic, Design & Layout

PHOTO CREDITSSteve Toth, cover; p. 2 Hilary Bovay, p. 4; 28Russell Lee, p. 5; 16

Howard T. Agriesti, p. 29

A new academic year is always an exhilarating time on campus. The Case Quad is abuzz with fresh-faced students, anxiously making their way from dorm to classroom. The Case Alumni Association had the opportunity to welcome first-year students to campus on August 23, where they met the dean and department chairs. About 500 of the 1,261 total incoming students entering Case Western Reserve University this fall declared engineering as their intended course of study. We couldn’t be more thrilled!

As the incoming president of the Case Alumni Council, I want to take advantage of this time of new beginnings to say how happy I am to take the helm of this great organization for the next two years. My prede-cessor, Harry Farmer ’55, MS ’65, left some big shoes to fill and I am certainly up to the task. Thank you, Harry, for all of your hard work and dedication to the cause.

My first order of business is to thank all alumni and friends for your continued individual support of the 2012-13 Case Fund®, the Annual Fund for the Case School of Engineering. A total of $1,648,103 was raised from 2,865 donors to assist the direct needs of the Case School of Engineering. In 2013-14, our work immediately starts again as we hope to raise more than $2 million in support of immediate needs, including upgrades to laboratories. I know I can count on all of you to help us exceed these goals!

As president, I pledge to maintain the high level of communication between the council and the university that Harry worked to foster. Specifically, I will serve as an integral link between the Case Alumni Association and Case Western Reserve University President Barbara Snyder, who is guiding the university’s capital campaign initiatives.

It’s very important that the Case Alumni Association support the development offices at the university and bring the capital campaign to a successful conclusion. We will work closely with all of the university departments to continue developing a constant message: that our vision is to support the Case School of Engineering and the applied sciences and mathematics at Case Western Reserve University in supporting student programs.

Finally, I hope you thoroughly enjoy this issue of Case alumnus. Consider it a preview of what you will experience during the upcoming Homecoming and Reunion Weekend. For a complete listing of all the wonderful event offerings, be sure to visit www.casealum.org/experience2013.

This is going to be a reunion weekend to remember. I invite each and every one of you back to campus Sept. 26 – 28 to experience all that is Case.

A message from the Case Alumni Association

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Edward P. McHenry ’67, MBA ’71President, Case Alumni Association

SUMMER-FALL 2013

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To serve and advance the interests of the

Case School of Engineering, the math and

applied sciences of Case Western Reserve

University and its alumni and students.T H E M A G A Z I N E O F T H E C A S E A L U M N I A S S O C I A T I O N

SUMMER-FALL 2013 I VOL. 25 I no. 1

Visit www.casealum.org FOR tHE LAtEst NEWs & EVENts!

If you aren’t yet connected to Case Alumni Association via Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, you are missing out! We regularly post updates to all of our social media sites, including links to stories from the university and Case School of Engineering. Join today!

FEATURES 6 ON THE COVER: State Your Case Experience In preparation for Reunion 2013, we ask current and former students, “What inspires your affinityforCase?”

9 Impact: Case Alumni Association Honors Outstanding Alumni & Friends Meet the innovative and influentialmenandwomenwho will be honored at the Dean’s Reception & Awards Program during Homecoming and Reunion Weekend

10 Barbara R. Snyder, Silver Bowl Award Winner A successful capital campaign and untiring work to bolster the university’s national and internationalprofile,aswellasits local relationships, have earned President Snyder our heartfelt gratitude – and a Silver Bowl 12 Thomas A. Tribone ’74, Gold Medal Award Winner Case professors shaped the successful career of this energy industry leader and innovator

15 Clare M. Rimnac, PhD, Meritorious Service Award Winner Case School of Engineering’s associate dean of research shares her path to academia and the mentors who helped – and continue to help – along the way

Departments 1 Dean’s Message 2 President’s Message 4 Case Connections 18 Where Are They Now? 20 Alumni Activities & Events 22 Class Notes 26 In Memoriam 28 The Last Word: Outreach On the cover: A close-up view of a hot filamentreactorintheChemicalEngineer-ing Department’s Martin laboratory used to study the growth of carbon materials such as diamond and graphite. The reactor is heated to more than 2,000O C to study fast deposition of high-quality graphitic materi-als. The department celebrates 100 years of chemical engineering during Homecoming Weekend Sept. 26 – 29.

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in the news >>>>Hotspot: Survey says Cleveland shines as a tech startup incubator

Young tech companies are currently thriving in the greater Cleveland area. Jumpstart Inc., a local nonprofit that backs young area companies, reported that although venture capital declined about 10 percent nationally last year, Cleveland tech-based startups increased their financial support and drew $201 million in venture capital in 2012, up 34 percent from the previous year.

Jumpstart Inc. also showed that the amount of equity capital raised by Northeast Ohio companies between 2004 and 2012 more than doubled from $103 million to $212 million. Similarly, the number of companies raising this equity tripled from 36 to 108, while early-stage funding also increased from fewer than 10 funds in 2004 to 35 in 2012. DecisionDesk, a company founded by Case alumni that helps universities and colleges review online applications, exemplifies the kind of financial draw Cleveland-based tech companies can have; they recently secured $1.7 million in venture capital.

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Your ‘in’ to the Case School of Engineering and Case Western Reserve University

To read about University Circle in The New York Times, scan this code:

http://travel.nytimes.com/2013/07/21/travel/culture-blooms-in-cleveland.html?_r=1&

To read more about Northeast Ohio’s tech startups in the

Cleveland Scene, scan this code.

http://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/startupcity/Content?oid=3585607&storyPage=1

The MoCA Cleveland celebrates its one-year anniversary at its Univer-sity Circle home in October 2013. The MoCA and the Uptown District have drawn longtime residents and new visitors to the University Circle area.

in the community >>>>CWRU, University Circle celebrated as cultural cornerstones

Residents of Cleveland have long known that the University Circle area is a treasure-trove of cul-tural gems; recently, the area has drawn praise in local and national press. In an article published in the Cleveland Jewish News, President Barbara R. Snyder enthusiastically hailed CWRU as the “cornerstone” of University Circle. “The people of Case Western Reserve change lives by what they teach and learn, discover and do,” Snyder wrote. “University Circle is an ideal place for us to study and reflect, play and dream. We are proud to be part of it.”

Among the institutions pervading University Circle are mainstays like the Cleveland Museum of Art and Severance Hall, as well as the new home of the Museum of Contemporary Art, Cleveland, which celebrates its one-year anniversary in October. A recent New York Times article praised the history and recent growth in the area, including the Uptown District, a developing neighborhood adjacent to the MoCA and the east side of campus, jumpstarted by the Cleveland Foundation’s Greater University Circle Initiative. Toby’s Plaza, CWRU’s dynamic outdoor courtyard at the cen-ter of Uptown, will host the Blue Block Party 2.0 on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2013. Current students, alumni and guests are invited to this street festival to help kick off Homecoming weekend.

To read more of President Snyder’s take on the University Circle community in the Cleveland Jewish News, scan this code. http://www.clevelandjewishnews.com/special_sections/article_26d16f0a-de6c-11e2-996f-0019bb2963f4.html

SUMMER-FALL 2013

in the know >>>>LaShanda Korley welcomed as Climo Professor of Macromolecular Science LaShanda Korley, confirmed as the Climo Professor of Macromolecular Science in July 2012, was honored on June 6, 2013, with a ceremony sponsored by the Case Alumni Association in celebration of the Department of Macromolecular Science and Engineering’s 50th anniversary.

“LaShanda and her students have made exceptionally interesting and important discoveries that are changing the landscape of polymer studies,” department chair David Schiraldi remarked at the event. “The Dean of Engineering, Jeffrey Duerk, confirmed LaShanda’s appointment […] last year, and I cannot think of a better choice.”

Korley joined the Department of Macromolecular Science and Engineering as an assistant professor in 2007. She was named a Nord Distinguished Professor in 2009. Her other plaudits include winning a DuPont Young Professor Grant, the Diekhoff Graduate Mentoring Award, a 3M Nontenured Faculty Grant and the NSF CAREER Award, for which she received $498,000 to pursue her research.

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Your ‘in’ to the Case School of Engineering and Case Western Reserve University

Kenneth Loparo, PhD ’77 named Chair of the Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer ScienceKenneth Loparo, former president of the Case Alumni Council, has accepted an offer to be the next chair of the department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science. Loparo is a Nord Professor of Engineering and has been a Case School of Engineering faculty member since 1979.

“Given the proliferation of affordable sensors, pervasiveness of data and computational power in personal devic-es like cell phones, I could not agree more with the unique opportunities today for the department,” Dean Jeffrey Duerk, PhD ’87 said in an announcement about Loparo’s acceptance. “I am happy to report that Ken […] will begin working with you, me and the university on the items above, and others.” Loparo replaces outgoing chair Michael Branicky ’87, MS ’90, who began his new post as dean of engineering at Kansas University in July.

LaShanda Korley, Climo Professor of Mac-romolecular Science, with Eric Baer, Herbert Henry Dow Professor of Macromolecular Science and Engineering (standing), and David Schiraldi, chair of the Department of Macromolecular Science and Engineering (seated, right).

Case Alumni Association’s Anne Cunningham promoted to Senior Director of DevelopmentCase Alumni Association is pleased to announce that Anne Cunningham was promoted to senior director of development, effective July 1, 2013. Cunningham started with the organization in November 2008 as director of development, responsible for the Case Fund®, the annual fund for the Case School of Engineering. In addition to her continuing work with the Case Fund, Cunningham will also work with the Case School of Engineering’s major gifts staff on developing a pipeline from leadership giving prospects to major gift prospects.

“Anne has demonstrated that she is not only up to the challenge of continuing to grow the Case Fund, but also that she has the institutional knowledge to grow the membership in the Case Dean’s Society,” remarked Stephen J. Zinram, executive director of the Case Alumni Association.

In addition, Paul Stephan ’64, a development officer with the Case Alumni Association since 2000, will transition into a new role with the organization, focusing the majority of his fundraising efforts on planned giving for all classes through 1972. Paul will work with Zinram in a renewed emphasis on developing additional endowed funds.

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State Your Case ExpEriEnCEAs we gear up for Homecoming weekend and Reunion 2013, we’ve found ourselves asking this question over and over again: What inspires affinity for Case? In the following pages, a diverse group of current students and alumni share why they will be celebrating their con-nection to Case this September and beyond.

Phi Sigma Rho and WiSER: FoStERing aFFinitY among StEm FiEldS and WomEn at CaSEStatistics have repeatedly shown that STEM fields lack female involvement and leadership, despite the large numbers of women who earn college degrees. For Adithy Nagarajan and Lauren Elkin, though, STEM-focused and female-centric student groups inspire their affinity for their school and their professional fields.

SUMMER-FALL 2013 p. 7SUMMER-FALL 2013

Adithy Nagarajan ’16, biomedical engineering

Lauren Elkin ’14, computer science

Now a sophomore, Adithy Nagarajan spent her freshman year at Case immersing herself in student groups and programs. She joined Phi Sigma Rho — a social sorority for women in engineering — as a first-year student and is now the group’s informal recruitment chair.

“Being involved in this group has helped me become a stronger, more involved, responsible adult,” Adithy remarked, noting that her interest in becoming recruitment chair sprung from her hope that other women will have similar experiences. “Phi Sigma Rho is a great way for women in engineering to meet upperclassmen in similar situations who can provide support, as well as a great way to meet more people on campus. It is unique in that it is based on the shared values of friendship, scholarship and encouragement, and can provide connections to women across the country for the rest of a woman’s life.”

One of the connections that Adithy has made through Phi Sigma Rho is senior Lauren Elkin, president of the organization’s Case branch. Lauren echoes Adithy’s sentiments about Phi Sigma Rho supporting women on campus and beyond.

“I definitely have a stronger connection to Case because of my involvement in Phi Rho,” Lauren said. “I’ve also been able to explore Cleveland and attend Case events more often because I always have my sisters to accompany me. Phi Rho has shown me so much that Case and Cleveland can offer, and I am extremely grateful for that.” Organizations like Phi Sigma Rho can provide members with professional and personal support, as well as opportunities to give back. “I’ve made networking connections, I’ve made an impact on the community, I’ve been able to collaborate on school-related questions, and most importantly, I’ve made some amazing friends,” Lauren continued. “I love Phi Rho.”

Adithy is also a member of the Women in Science & Engineering Roundtable, another group she joined as a freshman. “What makes WISER spe-cial is that it connects women from various STEM fields and provides a multitude of opportunities, which are shared through weekly newsletters. My favorite aspect of WISER was the peer mentoring program where, as a freshman, I was paired with a senior in my field, biomedical engineer-ing. Some of the activities we did included game nights and ‘Chocolate Chats’ where the mentor and mentee could get together, eat chocolate and watch presentations on a variety of subjects, such as the opportunities available through the Career Center.” Adithy and Lauren cannot say enough to recommend organizations like Phi Sigma Rho and WISER to other female students interested in finding “a support network of women who want to see women succeed in STEM fields,” Adithy remarked. “It’s fantastic,” Lauren agreed.

EnginEERS Without BoRdERS: Building ConnECtionS at CaSE and aRound thE WoRld EWB-Case was founded in 2003 as part of a global project to develop sustainable engineering projects through partnerships with the communities who need them. Recently, EWB-Case completed a water distribution system in Cruce de Blanco, Dominican Republic, as well as continuing projects in Cameroon and Thailand.


Steven Burns ’11, MEM ’11, biomedical engineering and engineering management

Alexandria Litofsky ’12, MS ’13, civil engineering

Both Steven Burns and Alex Litofsky led the implementation of a clean water distribution system in Cruce de Blanco, Domincan Republic, an EWB-Case project spanning from 2007 to completion in 2012. Steven held various positions with the group during his time at Case, including being co-lead of the Cruce de Blanco project when construction got underway.

“My favorite memory was directing a crew of community members digging a pipeline in the Dominican Republic while being able to speak very little Spanish,” Steven shared. “This really taught me the value of non-verbal communication!”

Alex also has fond memories of her work in Cruce de Blanco, where she was the project technical lead when the clean water distribution system was successfully implemented.

“Returning to Cruce de Blanco a year and a half after building the distribution system and finding that the system could indeed function as designed was exhilarating, especially as an aspiring engineer,” Alex recalled. “Several of those who were with me in EWB-Case are still some of my best friends. I have kept in touch with the mentors who have helped with the projects, to my great benefit and enjoyment. I hear updates from Cruce de Blanco, too.”

Steven and Alex both stress the value of their work with EWB-Case on a personal and a global level. “EWB was part of my Case experience and it would not have been anywhere near as great without the chance to travel and apply what I learned in my classes to real-world humanitarian issues,” Steven declared. Alex agreed, adding “EWB-Case was my first real experience in learning engineering design, even before classes or sum-mer jobs. I also had the hands-on experience of implementing those designs, and watching the theory of those designs work in the real world, to the benefit of an entire community of people. EWB-Case has driven my career goals and provided invaluable firsthand experience.”

Most of all, EWB-Case has shown participants like Alex the value of an affinity connection with a school like Case. “Every kind of Case student can learn something valuable from EWB, the most important of which, perhaps, is that the world is full of people in great need, and the talented and hard-working individuals studying at Case have the power to help, in whatever field they choose.”

Robert Stalder ’94, mechanical engineeringPhi Kappa Theta

Why is this group so special? I think the fraternity connection is still strong all of these years later because the relationship that fraternity members have is very different than any other student leadership experience on campus. You live together with a group of guys for two to three years, experience the same ritual each semester, learn how to work with people who have different personalities, and you have to manage a budget with real life consequences if you mismanage it. I absolutely consider my connection to Case much, much stronger than it would have been without Phi Kappa Theta.

Favorite memories? Virtually all of my best memories of Case involve Phi Kappa Theta in some form or fashion. I still keep up with a couple of Phi Kaps who live here in Washing-ton, D.C. We play in a fraternity golf outing each year that honors one of our Brothers from George Mason University who was killed in Iraq in 2008.

Lyndlea Blum ’15, biochemistryCase Engineers Council

Why is this group so special? CEC sponsors E-week, which reaches out to everyone in the community, from children in grade school to our own students at Case. It’s a valuable asset to campus; not only do the students involved in the program create ties with the faculty, but they also create connections with multi-million dollar companies so that when students graduate from Case, they are already viewed as the best and the brightest in the workforce.

Why should current students and alumni be interested in the CEC? CEC is a great way to network. You will interact with deans, faculty and company executive officers that could one day offer you a job.

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An alumnus whose professors made such an impression on him during his time at Case that he created an entire profession around it. • An engineering professor and leadership icon whose research in her field has transformed lives. • A university president who restored relationships and faith in a prestigious institution suffering from major trust issues.

These are just a few of the backstories of the people being recognized by the Case Alumni Association at the Dean’s Reception, this year’s premier reunion event on Friday, Sept. 27, 2013, at the InterContinental Hotel. We are proud of the men and women who continue each and every year to reflect credit and honor upon Case.

All of this year’s award recipients warrant our heartfelt appreciation for the impact they have made on this organization, the Case School of Engineering and the university, as well as within their respective industries or academic fields. Each of these honorees has contributed to the successes and accomplishments that make up the very fabric of this campus community.

i m p a c t

READ MORE about some of these illustrious award winners in the following pages. All of the award winners’ stories can be found online at www.casealum.org/events/reunion2013/alumni-awards.

Barbara R. Snyder Silver Bowl Award

Thomas A.Tribone’74Gold Medal Award

Harry L. Farmer ’55, MS ’65Past President Award

Philip V. DeSantis ’64, MS ’66, PhD ’70Samuel H. Givelber ’23 Fellowship Award

Corey F. Wright ’11, MEM ’13Graduate of the Last Decade Award

Robert M. Aiken ’52Meritorious Service Award

Laura J. Flanagan ’90Meritorious Service Award

Clare M. Rimnac, PhDMeritorious Service Award

David A. Schiraldi, PhDMeritorious Service Award

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“In a few short years, President Snyder has restored the morale and confidence of the alumni body and faculty, brought the budget into a surplus position quickly, put philanthropic giving on a path toward record levels and reignited investment in the campus. Some of these projects include Veale University Center, Uptown, Alumni House, think[box] and the new medical education building, with much more on the way.” – Frank N. Linsalata ’63, chairman of the university’s capital campaign

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Barbara R. Snyder became president of Case Western Reserve University on July 1, 2007. A professor who began her academic career as a faculty member at the university’s School of Law, she returned to campus committed to increasing academic excellence, enhancing faculty collaboration and improving alumni engagement.

During her tenure, the university has set all-time records for annual fundraising and total donors, doubled the number of undergraduate applicants, and significantly strengthened the academic qualifications of entering students. In 2011, the university launched Forward Thinking, the university’s $1 billion capital campaign, with more than 60 percent of the goal raised during the quiet phase.

When the Case Alumni Association Awards Committee met a few months ago to nominate the people that had contributed immensely to the organization in recent years,

Barbara Snyder’s name was among the first of those considered. The committee chose to honor President Snyder with a Silver Bowl Award for her role in furthering the university’s recommitment to the Case Alumni Association, following a few years of fractured relationships that had just started to mend when she arrived on campus.

“Barbara Snyder was instrumental in strengthening the relationship between the Case Alumni Association and Case Western Reserve University. She had a major impact,” said Ed McHenry ’67, MBA ’71, president of the Case Alumni Council. “She reached out to us to attend meetings and discussions to bring our office back on campus. Those discussions centered on establishing mutual trust.

“What developed was a truly great relationship between the university and Case Alumni Association that Barbara fostered through her leadership. The outcome: today we enjoy a prime spot on campus. We are pleased to be back in Tomlinson Hall, and the tremendous access to university staff and students is unprecedented.”

Frank N. Linsalata ’63, former chairman and current member of the board of trustees at Case Western Reserve, is now chair of the university’s Forward Thinking capital campaign. As chair of the search committee that hired President Snyder, Linsalata said it was imperative to find the right person for the job.

“It was clear we needed someone who could turn things around, make tough decisions but make people feel good again about the university,” he shared. “Barbara is truly a transformational leader, and she is leading the university to new levels of recognition and prestige.”

Barbara R. Snyder to receive Silver Bowl Award


Thomas Tribone ’74 is chief executive officer of Franklin Park Investments, a firm dedicated to owning and operating ener-gy and infrastructure businesses globally. During his career, Tribone has owned and managed large energy concerns in the U.S. and 35 other countries. He was the youngest, at age 24, to be named a general manager at Atlantic Richfield Company, where he began his professional career upon graduation from Case.

He has served as a board member for a number of corporate, industry and academic organizations, including currently as an advisory board member of the Great Lakes Energy Institute at Case Western Reserve University.

In September, Tribone will be honored by the Case Alumni Association with one of its most prestigious alumni awards, a Gold Medal. Tribone currently resides in Arlington, VA.

“It’s been said that talent can hit a target that no one else can hit, but genius hits a target no one else can see. I learned a ‘secret’ at Case that helped me hit a few targets – broaden your context until insight occurs.” – Thomas Tribone ’74

profiles in Success


To say that Tom Tribone’s remarkable career in the energy field was influenced by many of his professors is slightly understating the case. In retrospect, it is easy to see the connections that took Tribone from the classroom, where he studied chemical engineering at Case in the early 1970s, to his career.

Reflecting fondly upon those years, Tribone recalled an 8 a.m. physics class taught by Professor Robert Shankland. The topic was relativity, and due to the early start time, there was hardly anyone taking the class.

“Professor Shankland mentioned in an almost offhand way that he was talking with Einstein. That was pretty impressive, and I remember wondering how many more people would be in this class if they knew the professor’s background,” Tribone shared. “That was the kind of quality people at Case.”

As an undergraduate, Tribone absorbed many of the fundamentals that formed the foundation of his career. Some lessons were more general, like the one from a professor who said, “It is not about knowing specific equations but rather learning how to form the right model in your head so you can think about the issues correctly.” That statement best summarizes the preparation Tribone received at Case in how to apply what he learned to real situations.

Looking back, Tribone is surprised at how much of the important “stuff” that affected his career came from simple, short learning interactions. One such passing comment came from his economics professor, who stated that energy production was not a natural monopoly. That idea became the basis of an entire new industry that Tribone pursued as it was just getting started – global deregulation and privatization of the energy and infrastructure sectors.

“Energy in the 1970s was dominated by government, and by the late 1990s, it was much more a free market. The idea that energy is a not a natural monopoly, as my professor stated, turned out to be true. I helped create a startup company, AES, around that whole concept,” Tribone explained.

‘Chance favors the prepared mind’

A key factor to Tribone’s early success at Atlantic Richfield Company came about serendipitously. Case’s physical chemistry professor Samuel Maron was an interesting character with a worldwide reputation. He told his class that during World War II, synthetic rubber, eventually called “latex,” came about due to shortages of the rubber tree supply. Invented by the Germans, a small amount of liquid rubber – similar to latex paint – was procured by the American military and given to Maron, who reverse-engineered the small amount. The fascinating story had a direct impact on Tribone’s career.

“One of the first things I got involved with at ARCO was the production of synthetic rubber. I recalled what Professor Maron taught us, and we made a lot of breakthroughs in that market,” Tribone said. “I was successful because, having been lectured by the guy who did it during the war for the military, I had been well prepared.”

That early successful experience enhanced Tribone’s credibility within his company. He became the youngest general man-ager ever appointed at ARCO, only two years out of college. He was lucky enough, he added, to become part of a special program that eventually allowed him to obtain advanced degrees in both business administration and law.

Tribone has been recognized by top-selling business book authors, such as Tom Peters and Bob Waterman (In Search of Excellence and What America Does Right: Learning from Companies That Put People First), who wrote about Tribone’s personal management style. Tribone admits that much of what made him a leader came from Frederick Herzberg’s psy-chology classes at Case, where the professor shared ideas on what leads to a satisfying life.

“My philosophy is based on Herzberg’s understanding of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, thinking about what motivates people and what makes them happy. It is something that we have control over and can lead to success,” he said.

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Secrets to success

Today, Tribone has come full circle. He reconnected to Case by way of President Barbara Snyder and then-dean of the Case School of Engineering, Norman Tien. At their request, Tribone now lends his expertise as an advisor to the Great Lakes Energy Institute. For his career achievements and advisory role with GLEI, Tribone will receive a Gold Medal award at the reunion Dean’s Reception on Friday, Sept. 27.

“We are fortunate to have Tom advising this university in energy. Throughout his career, he’s touched every aspect of energy and electricity systems – a knowledge base he shares readily with our faculty. And in sharing this insight, he consistently provides clear and simple paths that minimize or makes obstacles irrelevant,” said Dianne D. Anderson, executive director of GLEI.

What advice does this GLEI advisory board member have for today’s engineers in looking for their own career success?

“Look for things and follow the evidence. You’ll be surprised how what you learned at Case, in some combination you didn’t anticipate, will lead to important successes,” Tribone shared. “You need to be more than an engineer to be a good engineer, combine what engineering is all about – science and technology – with versatility in the world of human affairs and economics. Case was good at illuminating that.”

Samuel H. Maron ’31 had appointments in the departments of chemistry, physical chemistry and chemical engineering. At Case, Maron was an inaugural member of the Polymer Science Group formed by Eric Baer in 1963 to study and understand polymers. Maron’s specialty within the group was polymer solution thermodynamics. The group – now the department of macromolecular science & engineering – has the distinction of being the first stand-alone polymer department in the U.S.

profiles in SUCCESS continued from p. 13

Robert S. Shankland ’29 was the Ambrose Swasey Professor of Physics at Case from 1941 until his retirement in 1976. Shankland’s research interests were vast and included studies of photon scattering, the ionosphere and standard frequency regulations. He helped develop sonar for submarine warfare in World War II, and worked with the Cleveland Orchestra to improve the acoustics in Severance Hall. At Case, Shankland was well-known for his reports on the Michelson-Morley exper-iment, explaining that acceptance of the experiment is provided by Einstein’s special theory of relativity.

To learn more about Tribone’s career, go to: https://www.casealum.org/events/reunion2013/alumni-awards


Sometimes life is simply about taking the opportunities presented to us and seeing where the road leads. Other times, it is about the choices we make while holding tight to our passion and dreams. For Clare Rimnac, engineering professor and associate dean of research at Case School of Engineering – and recipient of the Case Alumni Association’s Meritorious Service Award this year – life injected a little of both.

As a graduate student at Lehigh University in the early 1980s, Clare Rimnac studied how polymer materials – plastics – fail in medical device applications. Her advisor was conducting research on plas-

tic used in total joint replacements. As his senior graduate student, some of that research and testing flowed down to Rimnac.

“Even as an undergraduate studying metallurgy and materials science at Carnegie-Mellon, I found the fairly new area of biomaterials to be very interesting. When I had the opportunity to write a term paper on any top-ic, I chose medical applications,” Rimnac said. At the time, she imagined she’d end up working in industry and fielded offers from, among others, Ford Motor Company to design composite bumpers and Lawrence Livermore Labs to make better tire treads for tanks.

When Rimnac accompanied her doctoral advisor to give a research report at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City, an affiliation of what is now Weill Cornell Medical College, she was captivated. “Wow, this is really great,” she thought and asked for a job. She received a post-doc position instead, which she began after completing her PhD in metallurgy and materials engineering.

“I decided that for one year, and maybe never again, I was going to live my dream. I’m going to work with this cool material in this cool area. I’m going to commute in and out of New York City, which will be really exciting,” she remarked. “Little did I know!”

Although Rimnac had always hoped for an academic appointment one day, she wanted to start a family. The challenges of raising children and going through the tenure process in recent decades were even more difficult for women in academia than they are today. When Rimnac was offered a full-time research position on the staff at HSS less than a year later, she immediately jumped at the opportunity. To her, it seemed the perfect compromise.

continued on p. 16

A life transformed


thE Right PlaCE, thE Right timE

From 1983 to the beginning of 1996, Rimnac worked in orthopedic re-search on the design and development of total joint replacements. HSS had its own in-house manufacturing facility, where it made custom, as well as off-the-shelf, devices for hip and knee replacements. Rimnac also became knowledgeable about implant retrieval analysis, the process of evaluating devices removed from patients to discover what went wrong and what went right with the device.

She enjoyed the research and writing the funding proposals to the National Institutes for Health. She did some lecturing to engineering students and orthopedic residents. It was teaching, but not at the intense level she has enjoyed as a professor in the Case School of Engineering. Rimnac felt she had three-quarters of her dream position, but in the back of her mind, something was missing.

“The Hospital for Special Surgery was an exciting and dynamic environment. Even though I had a medical school appointment with collaborators at Ithaca in the engineering school at Cornell, I was still a step removed from what I wanted. I desired to be directly in engineering, since that is my background. Also, I wanted my own graduate students to advise and mentor. And I wanted to teach undergraduates,” Rimnac shared.

The opportunity to make a cross-over came her way unexpectedly. Dwight Davy from Case Western Reserve University’s School of Engineering, now interim chair of its mechanical and aerospace engineering department, came to HSS to give a lecture. In another bold leap, Rimnac handed him her CV and told him she was looking for a job opportunity. It turned out that Case was ready to announce a search for a faculty member in Rimnac’s field, biomechanics.

“I was interested in coming to Case because of the proximity of the schools of medicine and engineering. The department of orthopedics had a strong reputation as well. When I got the offer, I felt like I had died and gone to heaven,” Rimnac stated. “Not only that, I got to raise my daughter in a great community, with great schools and an easy commute to a premier university. It was thrilling and very gratifying for me to be here.”

EnCouRagEd to go FoR it all

When Rimnac moved to Cleveland to join the staff at Case, her research was well- launched. Her daughter, Heather, was about nine years old. Rimnac felt that the pieces of her life were finally in place. Looking back, she expressed tremendous gratitude for some of the mentors who encouraged her to go after her dreams.

Rimnac calls Al Burstein, PhD, a Case faculty member before he directed the Department of Biomechanics at HSS, an extraordinary mentor. From him, she learned the art of “grantsmanship” – garnering constructive criticism and feedback before submitting her proposals, rather than waiting for them to come back “torn apart.” Rimnac’s first three NIH proposals were all funded the first time out.

“That’s unheard of – it’s insane! It wouldn’t have been that way if not for wonderful mentors guiding me,” she said. From Dr. Burstein, Rimnac learned to think critically. He also told her that as a woman in a male-dominated field, she needed a woman’s mentorship as well.

Dr. Burstein introduced Rimnac to Adele Boskey, PhD, a crystallographer and mineralization expert who became the first woman president of the 60-year-old Orthopedic Research Society. Dr. Boskey taught Rimnac how to navigate a research profession as a woman who wants to have a family at the same time. Dr. Boskey told her, “Of course you are going to have children, and when you do, you’ll hire someone to clean the house and take care of your child.” When Rimnac’s husband offered to take turns with housework and childcare, Rimnac declared, “No! Adele says we can’t do that!”

Rimnac calls Al and Adele her “professional” parents. Dr. Burstein would advise her when she needed to go after more national exposure and introduce her to the right people. Dr. Boskey did much of the same, often introducing her to key people within

Clare Rimnac, after moving to Cleve-land with her daughter, Heather, to accept a position with the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Case.

Clare Rimnac continued from p. 15

SUMMER-FALL 2013

p. 17

the ORS. Rimnac eventually became the third woman president of the organization and this year was recognized with the Women’s Leadership Forum Award, not only for her outstanding contributions to musculoskeletal research, but for her leadership and mentorship roles as well.

SuCCESSFul tRanSition to aCadEmia

Rimnac started as an associate professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Case School of Engineering in 1996, with sub-sequent secondary appointments in biomedical engineering and orthopedics. She became department chair in 2007, a position she held for a year and a half. Today, she holds an endowed professorship as the Wilbert J. Austin Professor of Engineering, in addition to her role as associate dean of research.

Once Rimnac arrived at Case, it was Davy, the director of the biomechanics laboratory and the person who originally recruited her, that served as another important mentor. While she entered Case well established with her own research funding, Rimnac said Davy helped her navigate through “the whole engineering school environment and process,” including smoothing the way for her to succeed.

Other mentors at Case include former dean of Case School of Engineering, Norman Tien, as well as her current boss, Dean Jeffrey L. Duerk, PhD ’87. Tien pulled her from her role as department chair to help facilitate the Strategic Hiring Initiative in the dean’s office.

“Since then, we’ve hired 12 new faculty members, and there will be more hires. I think this is one of my biggest satisfactions because we’ve brought in some wonderful new hires. It’s complex, because we are looking to achieve a number of things including catalyzing certain research areas, creating clusters of strengths, as well as addressing specific department needs,” Rimnac remarked. “And, of course, we are looking to increase the number of women and underrepresented minorities in the School of Engineering.”

When asked if she considers herself a mentor and role model to women pursuing science, technology or engineering professions, Rimnac didn’t hesitate to respond, “Absolutely!” Actually, she clarified, she sees herself as a mentor and a role model, period.

“Many of my graduate students have been men. I think it’s important to recognize that these students have experienced a woman as their advisor and learned how to work with a woman as their boss. I feel good about that as well,” she pointed out.

And when asked about her most important accomplishment overall, Rimnac never skipped a beat – her daughter, Heather, she re-sponded. Heather graduated from Case Western Reserve University in 2009 with a BA in art history and psychology and graduated this past May from New York University with an MA in visual arts administration. Today, Heather lives and works in New York City, truly her mother’s daughter. Another young woman ready to conquer the world.

Join uS to celebrate the accomplishments of Case science and engineering alumnae at this year’s 2013 Experience Reunion Weekend

Women in Science & Engineering Program & Reception

Saturday, Sept. 28, 2013 - 3 - 5 p.m. - Tomlinson Hall

Hosted by: Clare Rimnac, Associate Dean of Research, Case School of Engineering Heather Clayton Terry, Associate Director, Women in Science & EngineeringSpeaker: Dr. Hallie Brinkerhuff ’94, MS ’95, Director of Advanced Technology at Zimmer, Inc.

to REgiStER, go to www.case.edu/homecoming or contact Dan Dean, director of alumni & student relations, at 216-368-0635 or [email protected].

Clare Rimnac, PhD, receives the Women’s Leadership Forum Award from Ted Miclau, MD, 2012 president of the Orthopedic Research Society.

To read more about Dr. Brinkerhuff, scan the QR code here:

https://www.casealum.org/affinity-events


A look back at past Case Alumni Association scholarship recipientsIn this issue, we check in with three Case School of Engineering graduates working at the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX

Marlon Cox ’07 - Space Suit Systems Engineer (BSE in Aerospace Engineering). His team at NASA is current-ly working on oxygen regulators for the next generation of space suit life support systems.

Janice Makinen ’10 - Portable Life Support Systems Engineer (BSE in Biomedical Engineering and Biome-chanics, currently completing a Master’s of Science in Environmental Engineering). Her team is testing a membrane-aerated bioreactor coupled with osmotic membrane treatment to remediate urine, hygiene, laundry and condensate water.

Caitlin Meyer ’08 - Engineer on the Water Reclama-tion Technology Development Team (BSE in Mechanical Engineering). Right now, her team is working on cre-ating the first new astronaut life support system since the 1970’s. Her focus is on the hardware that cools the astronaut while performing spacewalks.

How did you geT STaRTed aT NaSa?

Janice: All three of us participated in the cooperative education program at Case. I met a NASA recruiter at the career fair, and the rest was history. I co-oped for two semesters and two summers. This was probably the best decision I made during my undergraduate career!

Marlon: I co-oped at NASA for four semesters in the Johnson Space Center’s Mission Operations and Engi-neering directorates. My last two semesters were with Space Suit Systems and at the end of the semester they gave me a job offer, which I gladly took.

Caitlin: I attended the fall career fair in my sophomore year. Despite believing that I was too inexperienced to obtain a co-op with only one year of school under my

belt, my mother insisted! Good thing she did because I met the head of the NASA JSC co-op program and after a few interviews, started the first of my four co-op tours in the fall of my junior year.

wHaT’S THe beST paRT abouT woRkiNg foR aN oRgaNizaTioN like NaSa?

Marlon: We’re on the cutting edge of an area of engi-neering and science that so few people are working on.

Janice: The technologies we are developing and the discoveries we are making are not only improving our knowledge about space, they’re also improving life on earth today.

Where are they noW?


Caitlin Meyer, Marlon Cox and Janice Makinen on-site at the NASA Johnson Space Center.

? Caitlin: I am challenged on a daily basis by both the incredibly intelligent members of my team and by the unique trials presented by trying to sustain life in space. Each time we are successful, we can always improve our technologies to make them require less power, observation or consumables, all while increasing their useful life. I am lucky to be on a team where we are constantly attempting to solve new problems, and that is hugely rewarding.

My Case alumni association Scholarship…

… Allowed me to fund my education. (Marlon)

… Allowed me to pursue my education without the added stress of financial burden. (Janice)

… Allowed me to focus on my studies and be less distracted by the day-to-day financial worries associated with obtaining from a four-year degree in today’s world, for which I am very grateful. (Caitlin)

My Case education…

… Was instrumental in preparing me for a career in the space industry. I use the tools I learned at Case on a daily bases. Also, going to Case allowed me to kick off my career at NASA thanks to its cooperative educa-tional program. (Marlon)

… Made me a well-rounded, marketable engineer. (Janice)

… Is priceless. I feel like one of the best things I learned at Case was HOW to learn. Case didn’t prepare me specifically to work in a lab with urine and dirty laundry (nothing can prepare you for that!), but Case fostered my desire to solve difficult problems and approach engineering challenges with a creative mind. (Caitlin)

a lasting memory of my days at Case…

… Is performing Singing Valentines with the Case Men’s Glee Club. (Marlon)

… Is taking chemistry with Doc Oc. (Janice)

… outside of class (which I truly enjoyed!), I have very fond memories of participating in Greek Week with my sorority sisters. (Caitlin)

i believe that engineering is…

… The use of mathematics and science to solve finite problems. (Marlon)

… So much more than pencil-pushing and bridge- building. Engineering is the ability to tackle any problem in an organized, efficient manner — and looking cool while doing it. (Janice)

… The well-calculated, well-researched and creative approach to problem solving. (Caitlin)

wHaT adviCe do you Have foR Today’S CaSe eNgiNeeRiNg STudeNTS?

Marlon: Take advantage of everything Case has to offer in academics and extracurriculars. From research and co-oping, to Greek Life and service, there really is a lot there.

Janice: Don’t be in a rush to graduate, get a co-op! Or two, or three! It’s important to see how your education is applied in a real-world setting. It is well worth the time. It’s also a great “breather” from classes.

Caitlin: You are never too young or inexperienced to go to the career fair! Take advantage of everything that Case has to offer that will make you a well-rounded student and foster your interests. And once you’ve identified your interests, co-op! A graduate with work experience is always more desirable than one without.


ALUMni Activities & Events

The Innerbelt Bridge, a vital link into downtown Cleveland, was erected more than 50 years ago. Parts of the bridge are being replaced with new construction by the Ohio Department of Transportation, which will ultimately result in two new bridges to accommodate westbound and eastbound traffic.

Case Alumni Association hosted a tour of the new construction on July 10. Despite lightning, thunder and rain, 12 diehard alumni came out for the 4:30 tour (given under the existing bridge). Tom Hyland ’86, deputy project manager – construction at ODOT, gave a presentation at Southside Restaurant in Tremont following the early tour. After the rain had let up and the sun began to shine, 35 alumni and guests enjoyed a second tour after the presentation.

Margaret Yanosko ’11, a project engineer for Walsh Construction, and Chris Cummings ’99, project manager at civil engineering firm Michael Baker Jr., led the tours. Walsh is the general contractor for the Innerbelt Bridge project.

“From the feedback we got after the tours, I think that the alumni enjoyed learning more about the construction process, what the project means for them and what future plans are for the Innerbelt Bridge,” Yanosko said.

The Innerbelt Bridge is a truss arch bridge in Cleveland, Ohio, carrying Interstate 90/Innerbelt Freeway over the Cuyahoga River. The current bridge is 4,223 feet long and 116 feet wide.



UPCOMING ALUMNI EVENTSThis fall, Case Alumni Association will be visiting cities across the United States. Here’s a look at what’s planned. You can find more details and keep up to date on the latest changes at www.casealum.org/events or at www.facebook.com/casealum.

Columbus, OH – ODOT O-Tec Conference Alumni BreakfastWednesday, Oct. 23 7 - 8:30 a.m.Hyatt Regency, 350 North High Street(See ad this page)

Houston, TX – “Exploring Energy’s Growth to Map its Future” Monday, Oct. 28 6 - 8 p.m.Willie G’s Seafood and Steaks, 1605 Post Oak Blvd.Co-sponsored by Great Lakes Energy Institute and the Alumni Association of Case Western Reserve University(See ad this page)

San Francisco, CA – 100-year Anniversary Celebra-tion of Case’s Chemical Engineering DepartmentTuesday, Nov. 5 7 - 9 p.m.Hilton San Francisco Union Square, 333 O’Farrell StreetHeld in conjunction with the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) annual meeting, this special reception is open to all Case alumni.

Host and department chair Uziel Landau welcomes you to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of a department that’s made an indelible impact on the world’s chemical industry.

Boston, MA – Think Again Innovations TourThursday, Nov. 14 7 - 9 p.m.The Charles Hotel, Harvard Square, One Bennett Street, Cambridge, MACo-sponsored by Weatherhead School of Management and the Alumni Association of Case Western Reserve University

After an enthusiastic reception in Chicago last year, the Case School of Engineering and Weatherhead School of Management are teaming up again to showcase the latest innovations in technology and new product development at Case Western Reserve University. Headlined by dynamic faculty leaders Colin Drummond (engineering) and Michael Goldberg (business), along with stellar student entrepre-neurs, this event brings the pulse of Case’s unique business and engineering partnerships to Boston.

Case Alumni Association is hosting its first alumni breakfast reception at the O-Tec Confer-ence this year, and we hope to see as many of you in Columbus as possible! Make sure you list your school affiliation when you register for the conference, so you can rise and shine with

your fellow Case grads on the 23rd. Contact Lisa Hall (614-644-0273 or [email protected]) at ODOT if you have any questions about registering.

“exploring energy’s growth to MAp its Future”

Energy exemplifies the value, need and complexity of our modern systems, and understanding historical trends will help predict the coming challenges of energy systems in the next 30 years. Dianne Anderson will discuss how Case Western Reserve, through its Great Lakes Energy Institute, uses this viewpoint to build its energy research. Roger French will also give an overview of Lifetime and Degradation Science, his pioneering approach to reliability studies.

Dr. French’s scientific approach combines prognostics, epidemiol-ogy and Big Data analytics to deliver impressive results with signifi-cant investment implications for industry. French and Case Western Reserve are currently applying their approach to energy systems while developing a new breed of researchers that will take Lifetime and Degradation Science to other fields of global importance.

Hungry for more information on our alumni activities and

events?“Like” usattheofficialCaseAlumniAssociation

Facebook page at www.facebook.com/casealum.

You’ll get timely updates and interesting tidbits to

help you stay connected!

Dianne AndersonExecutive Director, Great Lakes Energy Institute

Roger FrenchF. Alex Nason Professor of Materials Science andDirector,

Solar Durability and Lifetime Extension Center


C L A s s n o t E s1950s Vince R. Lalli ’53, MS ’59Northfield, OHVince helped with the editing and pub-lication of a book written by Kenneth Whitley after his death. “Hovering Horizon: A Cobra Pilot’s Tale of Life with His Chopper” details Kenneth’s life growing up in a small Texas town, and how his experiences created the warrior he became.

1960sWilliam M. Johnson ’63Sudbury, MAWilliam, a past Case Club president, participated in the 2013 National Senior Games held in Cleveland the last week of July. Bill participated in the 5K and 10K road races and the track & field events (400m, 1500m and javelin).

Christopher C. Mathewson ’63College Station, TXChristopher retired in May 2011 after 40 years of teaching geology engineering. Since that time, he was appointed as regent professor emeritus to the Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists by Governor Rick Perry for a term to expire Feb. 1, 2017.

William A. Thornton, MS ’64, PhD ’67Cumming, GAWilliam was one of 69 members elected to the National Academy of Engineering in February 2013.

Michael K. Moe, PhD ’65Rancho Santa Fe, CAMichael was the American Physics Society’s 2013 Tom W. Bonner Prize in Nuclear Physics recipient. Mike was recognized for “his leadership in the first observation of the rare process of two neutrino double beta decay, where his creative contributions were instrumental to its successful detection and transformed the field.”

Thomas A. Auten, MS ’67, PhD ’71Salisbury, MAThomas was elected chair of the Boston Chapter of ASM International for the 2013-2014 year. ASM International is the materials information society headquar-tered in Metals Park, Ohio. Dr. Auten is the 93rd person to serve as chair of the Boston Chapter since 1920.

P. Hunter Peckham, MS ’68, PhD ’72Cleveland Heights, OHHunter was awarded $3 million to lead an effort to test and commercialize an implantable computer network with neural stimulation interfaces that would enable quadriplegics to move their arms and legs, as well as control breathing, bladder function and coughing, among other bodily functions.

1970sJennie S. Hwang, PhD ’76Moreland Hills, OHJennie was recently appointed to the chair for the Board on Assessment of U.S. Army Research Laboratories — Materials, Department of Defense. The primary focus of the panel is to assess the operational efficiency, including planning, facilities, equipment, human resources and the merits of the technological programs relative to the state-of-the-art and emerging technologies worldwide. The panel is also charged with assessing the degree to which programs achieve the stated objectives and desired impact.

1980sMarc P. Kelemen ’81,Westlake, OHMarc was named ASQ Fellow in recognition of “decades of dedication to continuous improvement, nanotechnology, sustainability and workforce development as well as leadership roles with ASQ sections, regions and divisions,” January 2013.

Sheng-Li Zhang, MS ’85Lexington, SCSheng-Li coauthored a research publication, “Metal-free catalyst out-performs platinum fuel cell,” featured in Nature’s Scientific Reports. These findings will allow the industry to eliminate the largest obstacle in producing large-scale commercialization of fuel cell technology.

C L A s s n o t E s

Photo Credit: Chuck Crow, The Plain Dealer


C L A s s n o t E sMichael A. Martens ’87, PhD ’91Chagrin Falls, OHMichael is the lead recipient of a $3 million dollar grant to assist two Ohio companies with commercializing new Magnetic Resonance Imaging technologies. Quality Electrodynamics of Mayfield and the research team are building a special coil that will help steer the biopsy needle in breast biopsy procedures.

Matthew R. Rejmaniak ’89Houston, TXMatthew received his P.E. license in the state of Texas in December 2012. Additionally, he was named information technology project manager of office planning for Hewlett-Packard Houston in July 2013.

1990sScott W. Gatchall ’91Mansfield, OHScott left Motorola in 2012 after 22 years to become founder and president of Initech Consulting, a boutique management- consulting firm specializing in the ideation, monetization, licensing and commercial-ization of startup mobile technologies. The new career accommodates Scott’s first love, downhill skiing. When not working, Scott, his wife and two daughters can be found on the slopes searching for the perfect powder!

Mark W. Meckes ’99, PhD ’03Shaker Heights, OHMark was named Simons Foundation Fellow in May 2013.

2000sGordon R. Daily ’00, MSE ’01Cleveland, OHGordon, cofounder of BoxCast, received a $250,000 commitment from JumpStart to support a box designed to simplify video streaming for the masses. Gordon and his team initially designed a website and video streaming for Jenkins Funeral Chapel, triggering their success. The group has recently expanded, opening a new Burke Lakefront Airport Terminal office.

C L A s s n o t E sTanvir N. Baig, MS ’03, PhD ’07Mohammadpur, Dhaka, BangladeshTanvir is one of the research associates working on the commercializing MRI technologies grant team responsible for physics, calculations, technical aspects and design.

2010sKeith A. Lupton ’11Willoughby, OHKeith and his wife Celia (Gendler) Lupton ’11 celebrated their two-year wedding anniversary and one-year anniversary in their new home. Celia just completed her clinical fellowship and is now a full time registered speech language pathologist.

John R. Lewandowski ’12, MEM ’13Shaker Heights, OHJohn is a member of Disease Diagnostic Group LLC, a student-led startup company aimed toward saving lives and providing a better and inexpen-sive way to diagnose malaria. His company won the 2013 LaunchTown Entrepreneur-ship Business Idea Competition at the University of Akron this past April. The team also placed ninth at the Rice Business Plan Competition in April 2013. The company used common items to produce a hand-held device, the “Random Assess-ment of Malaria,” which detects a magnetic substance that malaria parasites release when digesting red blood cells.

The “Random Assessment of Malaria” device produced by Disease Diagnostic Group LLC


Alexandria Litofsky ’12, MS ’13Columbia, MOAlexandria was awarded the 2013 Vanderhoof Fellowship and has completed her MS degree in civil engineering. Her master’s degree project measures the effectiveness of rain barrels to focus storm water runoff to gardens instead of areas most affected by augmented runoff. Alex will next be serving in the Peace Corps as a water resources and sanitation engineer.

Eric Gobuty ’12, MS ’13Granada Hills, CAEric was a recipient of the 2013 Vanderhoof Fellowship awards. In December 2012, he graduated cum laude from Case, earning a BS in civil engineering, and will soon begin work as a transportation engineer at Michael Baker Jr., Inc.

Ting (Tina) He, PhD ’13Shaker Heights, OHTina won the Best Student Paper competition at the eighth IEEE International Conference on Nano/Micro Engineered & Molecular Systems, titled “Dual-Gate Silicon Carbide Nanoelectromechanical Switches.”

Aaron Mayer ’13Merritt Island, FLAaron recently earned a Fulbright Award to conduct research at Ecole Polytechnique Federale De Lausanne in Switzerland. He also coauthored two projects, “Imaging Metastasis Using an Integrin- Targeting Chain Shaped Nanoparticle” and “Enhanced Delivery of Chemotherapy to Tumors Using a Multicomponent Nanochain with Radio-Frequency Tunable Drug Release.”

Dipanjan Sen, MEM ’13Austin, TXDipanjan secured a post-graduate position as senior associate business analyst with the Advisory Board Company in Austin, TX.

C L A s s n o t E s

p. 24

Courtesy of Tom Dooner ’13

let’s hear from you! Send stories and photos for the ClaSS notES feature to [email protected].

Congratulations 2013 Graduates - the newest members of the Case Alumni Association

SUMMER-FALL 2013

C L A s s n o t E s

p. 25

CaSE alumni aSSoCiation 2013 Senior Student awards

arthur h. Benade Prize: Nathan Knox ’13, Physics

leslie l. Foldy award: Jason Tabachnik ’13, Mathematics

the Elmer C. Stewart memorial award: Johnathon Frey ’13, Engineering Physics

the Richard and opal Vanderhoof award: James Hale ’13, Civil Engineering

anish Shah ’91 memorial award: Kristen Brouwer ’13, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and

Philip Yeung ’13, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Professor Jack F. Wallace award: Colin Galey ’13, Materials and Science Engineering

Robert J. adler award: Ross Widenor ’13, Chemical Engineering

Robert l. Shurter award: Abigail Erinc ’13, Biomedical Engineering and

Dajan Juric ’13, Biomedical Engineering

Carol & Edward Breznyak award: Luke Beery ’13, Biomedical Engineering and

Brittney Reid ’13, Aerospace Engineering

Case alumni association achievement award: Alaina Strickler ’13, Chemical Engineering;

Yueshuo Xu ’13 Biomedical Engineering; and Edward Young ’13, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Case alumni award: Charles Clum ’13, Mathematics


Charles rogers, PhD Chagrin falls, oH, May 22, 2013 Dr. Rogers was a professor of Macromolecular Science and Engineering at Case Western Reserve University from 1965 to 1998. He received his BS and PhD in physical chemistry from Syracuse University and the State University of New York. He worked at Bell Labs before joining the faculty of Case.

Herman Rogovin ’36, Zanesville, OH, Nov. 10, 2004

Norman F. Callahan ’37, Orlando, FL, Oct. 30, 2010

Robert K. Dick ’37, Glenn, CA, Feb. 14, 2008

James E. Troyan ’37, Austin, TX, Jan. 10, 2009

Walter A. Hickox ’39, Lexington, MA, April 7, 2009

Otto C. Winterich ’39, Cleveland, OH, July 2013

Leslie A. Andersen ’40, Lake Wales, FL, March 10, 2013

George W. Edick, Jr. ’40, Mount Vernon, OH and Maple City, MI,

May 18, 2013

William M. Jones ’40, Cleveland, OH, May 11, 2011

Victor J. Nexon ’40, Boonton, NJ, Sept. 8, 2002

Glenn E. Konker ’42, Lake Forest, IL, April 11, 2013

Carl C. Tinstman, Jr. ’42, Middletown, OH, March 29, 2013

Robert S. Hoffman ’45, Cleveland, OH, May 2013

Clarence J. Kaminski ’45, Henderson, KY, Feb. 4, 2013

Herbert J. Mayer ’45, Seven Hills, OH, April 1, 2013

Jack Rebman ’46, Houston, TX, June 13, 2013

Herman A. Fabert, Jr. ’48, Everett, WA, April 29, 2007

Frank E. Gerace ’48, Midland, MI, May 25, 2013

Joseph E. Hardman ’48, Fulton, IL, May 10, 2013

Bruce M. Reese ’48, Virginia Beach, VA, May 27, 2013

Glen R. Westenbarger ’48, Wadsworth, OH, April 30, 2013

Charles H. Duis, Jr. ’49, Hernando Beach, FL, July 12, 2012

Paul E. Haas ’49, Westerville, OH, Sept. 4, 2012

Joseph N. Matye ’49, Cleveland, OH, May 2013

John O. Tucker ’49, Renton, WA, Feb. 20, 2013

L. Robert Bodfish ’50, Big Flats, NY, March 24, 2013

In Memo r i am

David A. Hammond, MS ’50, PhD ’51, South Euclid, OH, March 3, 2013

Lee Munder, MS ’51, LaGrange Park, IL, Aug. 16, 2012

Frank E. Belles, MS ’52, Olmsted Township, OH, June 22, 2013

George H. Hilderbrand, Jr. ’52, Houston, TX, April 29, 2013

Leon A. Cholewski ’53, Apple Valley, CA, Dec. 2, 2001

Robert B. Temple, Jr. ’53, Sarasota, FL, June 4, 2013

C. Clark Street ’53, Columbus, OH, June 15, 2013

G. Norman Lauben ’57, Silver Springs, MD, June 13, 2013

Charles C. Kidd ’58, Tallahassee, FL, Dec. 10, 2012

Paul A. Blanchard, MS ’59, Nevers, France, May 14, 2013

Jon J. Cverna ’61, Warren, OH, May 7, 2013

Melvin R. Lehr ’61, MS ’65, Cranbury, NJ, June 8, 2013

Lyn D. Pankoff ’61, MS ’63, Webster Groves, MO, Feb. 12, 2013

James Delcos ’62, Akron, OH, Dec. 12, 2011

Bruce Mitizak ’62, Venice, FL, April 5, 2013

Robert J. Tomasek ’62, Idaho Falls, ID, April 7, 2013

James M. Jenkins, MS ’63, Aspen, CO, Aug. 21, 2012

Laurence D. Flora ’66, Providence, RI, Nov. 8, 2012

Michael J. Crosby, MS ’67, Loudon, TN, June 19, 2013

George A. Nicholls ’67, Cold Springs, NY, May 4, 2013

William V. Barker, MS ’69, Greensboro, NC, May 14, 2013

Bradley W. Dickinson ’70, Lawrenceville, NJ, Jan. 22, 2012

Alexander Sfirakis, MS ’77, PhD ’79, Munster, IN, Feb. 6, 2013

Mitchell A. Slater ’82, Sagamore Hills, OH, April 2013

Richard M. Withers ’83, Ferguson, MO, March 21, 2012

Jeffrey J. Pfaff ’89, Cleveland, OH, Feb. 23, 2012

notable Deaths


Frank E. Gerace ’48Frank Gerace died on May 25, 2013, in Midland, MI. He was 91 years old. Mr. Gerace was a civil engineer and a generous supporter of the Case School of Engineering. He served on the Richard ’39 and Opal Vanderhoof Infra-structure Research and Education Facility committee, which oversaw the construction of new structural lab space. The L-shaped Frank E. Gerace ’48 Strong Wall within the facil-ity was named after him to commemorate his support of and dedication to the project.

After serving in the Navy during World War II, Mr. Gerace attended the Case Institute of Technology.

“He was one of the first persons that I met when I came to Case,” recalls Richard Smith ’51. “He rushed me for Phi Delta Theta. He re-mained a friend, even though I pledged to Phi Kappa Psi, and always stopped to talk when we were at the same function.”

After attending Case, Mr. Gerace enjoyed an outstanding career in the construction industry; he supervised the building of the Veteran’s Memorial Bridge across the Saginaw River in 1956 and worked as an executive vice president of Collinson Construction Company in Midland. In 1963, Mr. Gerace and his wife, Helen, founded Gerace Construction Company and ran the company out of their basement. Helen served as the company’s chief financial officer until 1981 and died in 1998. Gerace Construction Company is responsible for many buildings in Midland and on the Dow Chemical campus. This year, the company celebrated its 50th anniversary.

Mr. Gerace was active in his community and was involved with the Junior Achievement, United Way, the Salvation Army, the Midland Hospital Association, the Midland Foundation and the Boy Scouts Explorer Program. He was a leading member of the Midland Case Club and has been honored by the Case Alumni Association as the recipient of the Samuel Givelber ’23 Fellowship Award in 2010, as well as the Meritorious Service Award in 2009.

Mr. Gerace was recognized with the Dean’s Lifetime Service Award by Dean Jeffrey Duerk, PhD ’87 at the Engineers Week banquet in 2013.

The dedication of the Richard ’39 and Opal Vanderhoof Infrastructure

Research and Educational Facility was held on April 15, 2010. A ribbon-cut-

ting ceremony with Case Western Reserve University President Barbara Snyder, featuring committee member Frank E. Gerace ’48, commemorated the event. As a board member of the

Gerstacker Foundation in Midland, MI, Mr. Gerace helped procure substantial

funds from the Dow Chemical Co. Foundation for the structures lab.


the last Word: ‘Outreach’By Me’lani L. Joseph

According to recent studies, the United States consistent-ly lags behind East Asian countries in math and science achievement. U.S. businesses often cite a limited supply and availability of science, technology, engineering and mathematicsworkers.Additionally,STEMfieldsarenotbeingaccessed by all members of our society and are grossly underrepresented by minority groups, who earn only 12 percent of all undergraduate degrees in engineering. Women are also underrepresented and account for only 13.4 percent of U.S. engineers while they represent 49 percent of the college-educated workforce.

We are at a critical juncture in our nation’s history, and STEM exposure, awareness and outreach to preK-12 youth is vitally important. I am a product of how being exposed to new experiences can transform you. I decided to major in me-chanical engineering as an undergraduate at M.I.T. because I had the fortune of living in Tanzania, East Africa, as a child. There, I witnessed a majority of people who had no running water or electricity in their homes, no technologically advanced irrigation systems to water their crops and limited infrastructure to support vehicular travel. My dream was to become an international developer, and an engineering degree was my answer.

While I ended up remaining on U.S. soil and focusing on community and youth development issues, my interest in promoting STEM has never wavered. My work in the Case School of Engineering and the newly formed Leonard Gelfand STEM Center allows me to create opportunities for youth to see possible career pathways through exposure experiences. These experiences take the form of trips to schools and youth-serving organizations by Case Western Reserve University faculty, staff and students, aswellasfieldtripstocampus,whereyouthtourlabs,dohands-onactivitiesandengagewithcampusadministrators.

GettingouryouthtoconsiderpursuingSTEMcareersdemandsan“allhandsondeck”approach.Thatiswhyleveragingresourcesisamustandcreatingpartnershipswithotherindividualsandorganizationsiskey.TECHCORPS,anationalnon-profitorganization based in Columbus, has proved to be an ideal partner for CWRU. TECH CORPS develops engaging technology programs to inspire students to pursue technology-related educational and career pathways. With support from the Gelfand Engineering and Technology Education Fund and Time Warner Cable, TECH CORPS implemented Techie Camp®, one of its signature programs, on the CWRU campus this summer. As a result, 60 Cleveland Metropolitan School District students were able to participate in free Techie Camps, which gave them an early introduction to software engineering.

“This introduction and orientation of early learners ignites their imagination, and equips them with the skills, knowledge and abilitiestoconfidentlyenterSTEMeducationandcareerpathways,”saidLisaM.Chambers,TECHCORPSnationaldirector.“We are grateful for the Gelfand STEM Center’s support and look forward to expanding the partnership and serving more studentsinyearstocome.”

Thereisnoone“right”waytosolvetheSTEMinterestandmasterydilemma;itrequiresinnovativeandout-of-the-boxthinking.Aone-size-fits-allapproachsimplywillnotdo,andoutreachingearlyisimperative.Ibelievethatweallhavearoletoplayininspiringouryouthtofulfilltheirpassions;majoringinaSTEMfieldisonepossiblepath.CWRUofferstheperfectvenuetoreachstudents when their path toward success is just beginning.

My question to you is, “How will you reach out and expand the horizons of a young person?”

p. 28

Me’lani L. Joseph is the director of engineering at Case’s Leonard Gelfand STEM Center, which collaborates with local, state-wide, and national organizations to offer STEM experiences to preK-12 students in the greater Cleveland community. Visit gelfand.case.edu to learn more about the Center.

SUMMER-FALL 2013

Make your gift today at www.casealum.org/donate or give by phone by

contacting the Case Alumni Association at 866.385.2273.

Help Case students achieve with your gift to the Case Fund®, the Annual Fund for the Case School of Engineering.

Imagine a Future

CASE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION AND FOUNDATION, INC.

Tomlinson Hall, Room 109 • 10900 Euclid Avenue • Cleveland, Ohio 44106-1712 • www.casealum.org

CASE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION AND FOUNDATION, INC.Tomlinson Hall, Room 10910900 Euclid AvenueCleveland, Ohio 44106-1712

NON-PROFITORGANIZATIONU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDCLEVELAND, OHIOPERMIT NO. 2120

Frank Ryan, the last quarterback to lead the Cleveland Browns to an NFL Championship in 1964, was a much respected associate professor of mathematics at Case Institute of Technology and Case Western Reserve University during the late 1960s. Known to sports fans as “Dr. Frank,” the athlete and scholar will talk about his fascinating life and career, from a horrific injury in the 1965 Pro Bowl to a stint as the Director of Information Systems at the U.S. House of Representatives, where he led the effort to create its first computerized electronic voting system. A question-and-answer session will follow.

Presented by the College of Arts and Sciences and Case Alumni Association.

2013 r e u n i o ne x p e r i e n c e

waTCH youR Mail for details or visit casealum.org/experience2013 to learn more.

Contact Dan Dean, director of alumni and student events, with questions. He can be reached at

216.368.0635 or [email protected].

Join us for “a Conversation with frank Ryan”HOMECOMINg WEEkEND

Friday, Sept. 27, 2013 3 – 4:30 p.m.at the kelvin Smith Library, O’Neill Reading Room

To register for this and all other events, go to case.edu/homecoming

dean’s Reception and alumni awards, friday Sept. 27 from 5 – 9:30 p.m. at the InterContinental Hotel - Frank Ryan will attend the Dean’s Reception as a guest of the Case Alumni Association.

Class of 1963 50th Reunion dinner, Saturday Sept. 28 from 6 – 9:30 p.m. at the Kelvin Smith Library

Class of 1953, 1958 and 1968 Reunion dinners, Saturday Sept. 28 from 6 – 9:30 p.m. at the Tudor Arms Hotel

Documents

Case alumnus summer fall 2013