Share Your Thoughts
Edith Berger, director of the Office of International Student Services, passed away on November 7, 2006 after an illness. Edith had been a part of the Case Western Reserve University community for 37 years and, as director of the International Student Services office worked to enhance the international student experience and promote intercultural exchange at the university. "She has left an indelible imprint on the lives of generations of students and their families, not to mention on those of us who had the privilege of working with her," said Glenn Nicholls, vice president for Student Affairs.
Private services for Edith were held by her family and a university celebration of her life will be held on-campus during spring semester 2007.
Edith has touched so many of us with her kindness, friendliness, helpfulness and sense of humor. She made us feel more at home and more secure during our student days. In preparation for the January 2007 university celebration of Edith's life, Case has put together this blog. Please add your thoughts for use at the event. A selection of your thoughts and photos will also be presented to Edith’s family during the celebration of her life event.
Finally, please keep Edith’s family, as well as her CWRU family at the Office of International Student Services, in your thoughts.
Please pass this blog address to other alumni of Case Western Reserve University the world over.
"Enjoy your life..." That's what Edith said to me about four months ago when I was worried about my OPT application. Now I begin to appreciate the deep meaning of it...
She helped me and many of my friends from Jordan. She also helped all the international students. I never felt any impedence when I go to the international office, she was always initiating talking to me and she always ready to hear from me.
The one who does not thank people, does not thank Allah (The God). In the name of All international students, I thank you.
She was straight forward and honest. She did not give her students any false hope about their visa situations. She was a tough little lady with a huge heart who handed out her personal phone number in cases of emergency.
Edith was a friend, advisor and support person for myself and many others. She really lit up any dinner table or get-together. She was my support system all through undergrad, during graduate school admissions, and now in graduate school. Whether I had questions about traveling or was upset about the death of a friend Edith was there to talk with. I have learned so much from this truly inspirational person. The out-pouring of love and support for this wonderful lady really shows what a rich life she has lived and how much one can admire her for her ability to help people from all over the world.
I remember her as a kind and gentle soul,everready to lend a helping hand. She was always approachable-no matter what difficulties the international students had. I personally met her quite a few times regarding personal visa/immigration issues. She will be sorely missed not only by the international students who knew her well but by everybody whose lives' she touched. May her sould rest in peace.
Alone and lost in a foreign country, Edith was like a beacon of light to the foreign students.
She would give out her private phone number freely, along with her trust and genuine concern. She would reassure us over and over again, that if we were ever in need or if we run into trouble, we could call her anytime, even late into the night, and she would be there.
She saw me arrived 2 years ago, she saw me graduated with a good job, and she told me she loved the Beef Rendang that I cooked for her. It was not meant to be the last.
I know she is in a good place, and in good hands.
May you rest in peace, Edith. Case will be much emptier without you.
Kevin.
She was always there for me every time I have legal needs back home.
She always notarizes my documents for free.
She's a big loss to Case especially to international students like me.
She will surely be missed!
She was always there for me every time I have legal needs back home.
She always notarizes my documents for free.
She's a big loss to Case especially to international students like me.
She will surely be missed!
Dear Ms. Berger,
"When you have trouble understading what a person is saying over the phone, try to speak slowly, and the person will start talking to you slowly as well so that you can understand. It should work for you."
That was the thing you taught me on my very first day at Case more than three years ago. I cannot tell how much I appreciated your words. Your tip actually helped me a lot.
Every time I asked you questions regarding visa, I-20, and so on, in person or by email, you fully and precisely explained to me no matter how complicated they were. Also, seeing you in your office to report something was just a fun for me.
The last time I saw you was June this year. I did not have a chance to talk to you then, but now I think I would have if I had known that you would be gone. That is my only but deep regret.
You know what? I do not feel like deleting your email address from my address book while I know my email could never ever reach you. For, I could continue thinking that you are still there unless I would email you and have to realize that you are yet gone from the truth that you never give me any response whatsoever.
I do not want to say "Good bye" to you. Rather, let me finish up my message by saying, "See you again." I believe . . . I do believe that we will see each other again someday and somewhere.
Thank you very much for everything, Ms. Berger. It was a great pleasure that I could see you here at Case. I miss you . . .
I was very impressive with her kindness. She is alway warmhearted and let every oversea student feel comfortable. I really appreciated her many helps. May peace and grace be with her forever.
It is extremely sad, that, someone so energetic and dynamic is no longer with us. Edith has definitely had a huge positive impact on an uncountable number of international students, and I am sure on others as well. She has constantly helped all of us in one way or the other, and we owe her a lot. In fact, in our specific case, without Edith's timely help in procuring the I-20 and the admissions document from the School of Graduate studies, it would not have been possible for my wife, Kavita to get her visa (as she had applied much later than other candidates) and start school on time. No matter what, we will always have Edith on our minds and in our hearts.
One needs to experience the the emptiness and helplessness a foreign student battles during the initial period on campus to appreciate what a smile,some warmth, and a firm handshake does to your world. For all those who have been in those shoes, you know what I'm talking about.
I think it was so appropriate Case made her office the first point of contact for international students.
Her smile was so good that always gave me energy!
She was such a kind person to help everyone around!
Even though i am a student here, from so many words of others, I could find that she is a great person!
Her kindness with students and passion for her job makes her a legend. When I first came to her office in the Fall of 2005 as a new student, I met a calm lady who warmly welcome me to Case. Her welcome gave me a sense of comfort that my study at Case will be a great experience. Later, it turned out that I was right. Last summer when I had to leave the States for a trip, she gave me some good advices which helped me to come back and continue my study.
The greatest thing about Edith was that she really had a way of understanding her students. Just from a simple conversation, you really got the sense that she understood you - your feelings of being far away from home and family, your goals and aspirations, your fears and concerns. She so unselfishly and joyfully helped all of us, whatever needs we had. Edith, thank you for your tremendous kindness and support. We miss you very much.
I may not have known Edith Berger personally, but I always felt she was someone who was very honest, strong and at the same time extremely nice trying to help us all in every way possible.
I think she made a difference at Case and its hard to imagine the ISS office without her.
Edith was a really supportive and straightforward person. She let you know where you stood on your visa but totally committed to being for you when you needed it the most. She really tried to make our lives easier, even in the most challenging situations. I don't think I could ever pass by the International Students Office without thinking about her. I will certainly miss her, like the many students whose lives she touched.
Edith was very helpful, knowledgeable, and super friendly. I was shocked to hear about her passing - a huge loss to all foreign students and the Case community. She made the experience of being a foreigner very comfortable and photos and souvenirs in her office document how much we all liked her. I will miss her a lot.
When I was a new student and first time came to international student office in the fall of 2005. Ms. Edith Berger’s kindly welcome gave me a sense of warmly and I knew that my study at Case will be so great. During my study at Case, she always gave me a lot help. Before I left Cleveland on June this year, I went to the Office and said good bye to her and that is the last time I saw her. I feel so sad that I can not have a chance to talk to her again. I will miss her forever. May peace and happiness with her forever.
In my mind, Edith's signature often pops up, and it is so impressive. Each time when travelling out the states, i got not just her signature, but truly kind advice as well. No doubt all international students share similar feeling and at this Thanksgiving Eve, just want to simply thank her again, thank her for all the things she did for us. She is living in my heart.
Ms. Berger was an excellent ambassador of United States for the international community at Case. In addition to the vital role she played in the lives of all international students as a director of the ISS, Ms. Berger extended her support and advise to various social, cultural as well as philanthropic organizations. She perfectly understood the cultural diversity and needs of students coming from different backgrounds.
Thanks Ms. Berger, for being there whenever we needed a helping hand. We will miss you a lot.
I feel sad, really sad. We will miss you for ever.
I always highly appreciate your kindness and help. You're wonderful lady. May peace be with you. We'll miss you.
Ms. Edith Berger was always ready to talk to you with a smile on her face regardless of how long her day had been. When I had to renew my passport and needed a notary to vouch for me, even though she hadn't known me for as long as the document required, she signed all my papers anyway while we talked about movies she had seen recently. I always thought that if I ever had a problem I would not hesitate to contact the International student office, because I knew that someone there would try to help me. You will be sorely missed, Edith. Thank you for everything.
She was a wonderful person and a great inspiration to all of us. Her legacy lives on in our lives, forever.
It is just like a dream and I hope that it really is a dream. How could she leave us suddenly when Case community has had her as its integral part? My friends and I will miss Edith forever given her openness, professionalism, and great care for people. May you rest in peace, Edith.
1998 is the year I arrived USA to complete my graduate study. I came from Saudi Arabia with a big dream to get my Master and PhD. I got the Master and I'm almost done with my PhD... Beside my family, Ms. Edith Berger was big part of my life in and success U.S. She helped when we as Saudi students were in big need of help. Every semester I feel contacting her is a must and a need. Her death was a shock to me, because she holds a part of my feelings and life. Her death is a big loss for international students and the Case community. May Peace be with you, Edith.
All I want to say is "Thank you so much, Ms.Edith Berger!" I believe you can see all of our appreciation and missing in the Heaven. You will be in our mind for ever.
In 2000 is the year that I arrived To USA, Ms Edith Berger meet me with a big appreciation to me and my family. She has been very supportive for me. After I got my Ph.D, she congrtulate me and told me" You did the Impossible". I had a lunch with her in Juli,2006 and It was a wonderfull time to share with her and all the international team.She emailed me back and told"Salwa ; You are a friend of mine". I will never forget her and I always keep my prayer for her.Thanks Edith Berger" You will in my mind for ever.
I first met Edith when I moved to Cleveland a few years ago. I remember how she made my Mom feel so at ease about leaving me here for which I'll always be grateful. She was a great lady with a big heart and a brilliant smile, and I will miss her terribly. Thank you so much for everything Edith - you were truly one of a kind.
I never expected that the last time I saw Ms. Berger was on the International Dinner, this April. Suddenly, this kind, warmhearted lady left us and went to the heaven. I am in deep sorrow for losing you, Ms. Berger. Please take my thanks and best wishes with you. And your smiling will always in my mind.
Edith Berger was a wonderful and warmhearted woman. I deeply appreciate what she has done for all the international students at Case Western Reserve University.
This summer when I applied my VISA and SSN letter. It is my first time to meet her. She was very kind and loving person. I feel a strong emotion when she told to me. Wish her rest in peace.
I never forget the smile on Ms. Berger's face. She was always so kind and so warm. I enjoy walking to the international student office and talking to her because I know she's willing to help me and be my friend.
She's the angel from God for all the internatinal students on campus.
Berry
Edith Burger was very helping and co-operative lady.She helped me a lot when I was in a very critical situation for my visa.She treated me so nicely that I can not forget her.She will remain in my memories for ever as a symbol of hope and success.
Eidith, even if you has left us, I still feel you are around me, especially whenever I walked into ISS office. Your smiling face is still in our Steiner House picture, your signiture is on my first I-20,and I remember the wonderful international dinner,and numerous happy events. You are a litte tough but always ready to help. It is big lost for Case as well as for all international students.
You will live in our mind and memory forever.
She helped countless students, and I was so lucky to be one of them. I can not forget her smile and kindness. Very sad to say Good-Bye, Ms. Berger.
I am a doctoral student at Kent State who was searching this website today for information when I read that Edith died. I am saddened by her death. I called upon her this academic year and last year to help me with two assignments I was doing related to international student issues. I thank God I was able to thank her earlier this semester for her contribution to my academic success. I am sorry I did not get a chance to meet her face to face. However, If her telephone demeanor was representative of her face-to-face interactions in the Academy, she was the quintessential international educator and professional. I will miss her.
Edith was tough as nails, with a great wit and tremendous energy. She was my boss at ISS, my first job after graduating from Case in 1999, and she left a lasting impression on me. She was spunky and nothing could keep her down; I envision her even now, in heaven, wanting to see the sights there and having lively conversations with those that have gone before her. May her soul rest in peace.
Edith was like a parent away from home, and she touched the lives of so many, such as my self as we moved to this country for the first time. This is truly a sad loss, we will allways miss her, but she will allways be in our hearts as the tough but smiling face of ISS :)
I have had the fortune of knowing Edith Berger during my graduate study at CASE. I am saddened by her demise. Edith was witty, tough, gentle and caring all at the same time. I have known the international students office at CASE as the warmest place in Cleveland even in the depth of winter with her around. I will always remember her parting words to me as I was leaving the university, that I shall carry with me in spirit the people I have known at Case where ever I go including herself. It is true that we take with us people by whom we are touched. Few people are destined to touch the lives of very many people for the better. Edith is definitely one among that few. I pray to God that her soul may rest in peace.
Mrs. Berger, you will forever live in my memory as a person who always dedicated your time in helping others. Wish you rest in peace.