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Case Western Reserve's 2008 commencement ceremonies to feature live-blogging from Craig Newmark

2008-05-16T17:42:20Z

When Case Western Reserve University alumnus Craig Newmark delivers the keynote address during the 2008 commencement ceremonies on May 18, he will literally be connected with graduates, their families and a global audience. That's because Newmark plans to blog during his speech.

Newmark will take advantage of Case Western Reserve's Wi-Fi network to live-blog onstage—as time allows—before and during commencement.

The ceremony will take place at the university's Veale Convocation Center. Those who are unable to attend the convocation—which begins at 9:30 a.m.—can follow Newmark's comments leading up to the event on his blog, and his reactions during commencement at Twitter. Since he will be speaking, Newmark is unable to predict how much he'll actually be able to write during the event, but whatever he can manage should offer an interesting glimpse into his experience. The ceremony also will be Webcast live.

Arthur H. Heuer: winner of the Hovorka Prize is a world leader in teaching and research

2008-05-15T19:50:10Z

University Professor and Kyocera Professor of Ceramics at the Case School of Engineering has long, distinguished career in materials science

With almost 500 publications to his credit, Case Western Reserve University's Arthur H. Heuer is a leading researcher in his field, having pioneered studies in transformation toughening of ceramics, the application of electron microscopy to engineering ceramics, biological ceramics, materials science of MEMS and paraequilibrium carburization of stainless steels. Heuer is known as "Dr. Zirconia" for his work on transformation toughening of zirconia-based ceramics. His research, conducted with Arnold Caplan, on the structure of eggshells and mollusk shells, has broken new ground in applying materials science to understanding biological structures. Both the Cleveland Museum of Art and the Louvre in Paris have called upon Heuer's expertise to characterize the Renaissance ceramics in their collections.

For those and many other scholarly reasons, Heuer, University Professor and Kyocera Professor of Ceramics in the department of materials science and engineering, was named recipient of the Frank and Dorothy Humel Hovorka Prize, one of the highest honors a university faculty member can receive. Heuer will receive the award at Case Western Reserve's Commencement ceremonies on Sunday, May 18.

Dr. Clifford Harding has been appointed as Interim Chair of the Department of Pathology

2008-05-15T17:43:26Z

The School of Medicine announced yesterday the appointment of Dr. Clifford Harding as Interim Chair of the Department of Pathology at Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals Case Medical Center. Dr. Harding will take over the responsibilities of Dr. John Lowe.

Dr. Harding is well known to faculty and staff, having been part of the School of Medicine and UH community for 15 years. He has been Director of the Medical Scientist Training Program since 2001.

Dr. Harding stated "I'm honored to accept the Interim Chair position, and I would like to thank Drs. Davis and Rothstein for their support of the Department of Pathology. I am deeply committed to the development of our research, teaching and clinical missions. There are exciting possibilities for future growth of our programs, and in the coming months I will be working with our faculty to establish the foundation for future initiatives."

Psychological issues link teaching subjects for 2008 John S. Diekhoff winners

2008-05-14T16:03:45Z

Heath Demaree and Athena Vrettos recognized for their graduate teaching

Creating emotional connections to subjects taught are important in successful teaching, according to Case Western Reserve University's winners of the 2008 John S. Diekhoff Award for graduate teaching, Heath Demaree, associate professor of psychology, and Athena Vrettos, associate professor and director of graduate studies in English.

This year's recipients expressed sentiments about being recognized and honored by their students. They will receive their Diekhoff Awards during commencement ceremonies on Sunday, May 18.

Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine departments ranks in top 10 NIH funding

2008-05-13T17:42:05Z

Several departments within the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine placed in the top 10 for funding from the National Institutes of Health. The NIH, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the nation's largest provider of medical research support. This significant federal government funding to the School of Medicine reflects Northeast Ohio's leading medical research and treatment. The top ranking departments within each discipline include:

First: nutrition ($2.77 million)
Third: pediatrics ($26.4 million)
Fourth: dermatology ($4 million)
Fourth: orthopaedics ($3.2 million)
Fifth: public health and preventive medicine ($10.3 million)
Ninth: family medicine ($1.58 million)

Excellence in undergraduate teaching recognized with 2008 Wittke Awards at Case Western Reserve University

2008-05-13T16:35:02Z

Chemical engineering's Donald Feke and Management's Richard Osborne honored for their work in the classroom

Case Western Reserve University recognizes excellence demonstrated by professors in the classroom annually with the Carl F. Wittke Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching. This year, Donald Feke, chemical engineering professor, and Richard Osborne, professor for management policy practice, have been named Wittke Award recipients.

The Wittke Award was established in 1971 in honor of Carl Wittke, a professor, department chair, graduate school dean and university vice president during his tenure at Western Reserve University (1948-63).

Undergraduate mentors honored with 2008 Jackson Award at Case Western Reserve University

2008-05-12T17:42:20Z

Art History's Anne Helmreich and Communication Sciences' Stacy Williams recognized for work with students

The positive impact Case Western Reserve University professors have on the lives of their students is recognized annually with the J. Bruce Jackson, M.D. Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Mentoring. This year, Anne Helmreich, art history associate professor, and Stacy Williams, communications studies assistant professor, have been named Jackson Award recipients.

The Jackson Award was established in 2003 by J. Bruce Jackson, M.D., in honor of Dean Carl F. Wittke, his advisor, mentor and friend.

Case Western Reserve University's Fulbright winners going green with overseas research

2008-05-09T16:15:45Z

Students Olivia Corey and Michael Davidson combine research with cultural experiences

Case Western Reserve University's 2008 Fulbright Scholars, Olivia Corey and Michael Davidson, are taking their "green" research projects to study in Europe and Asia next year.

Corey, of Lakewood, plans to study sustainable building materials at the Technical University of Munich in Germany with her Fulbright. Davidson, of Eugene, Ore., is heading to Tsinghua University in Beijing, China, where a new initiative involves installing and tracking the use of renewable energy sources.

The road to the Fulbright Scholarships followed similar paths for the two students where each has majored in a language and also spent a year abroad as undergraduates to regions they will return to next year for research. Both seniors will graduate with their bachelor's degrees from Case Western Reserve during Commencement ceremonies on May 18.

Both also have known each other over their years at the university. "I envision that Michael and I will someday be sitting on some international committee discussing green issues," Corey said. "Our lives seem to run in parallel directions."

Governor's energy adviser to deliver keynote address at Fourth Annual Ohio Energy Education Conference

2008-05-08T14:30:17Z

Mark R. Shanahan will speak to conference participants at May 9 event at Case Western Reserve University

Case Western Reserve University is hosting the Fourth Annual Ohio Energy Education Conference, which will be held Friday, May 9, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Millis Science Center, 2074 Adelbert Road.

Mark R. Shanahan, energy adviser to Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland and executive director of the Ohio Air Quality Development Authority, will deliver the lunchtime keynote address at noon. In his role as Strickland's energy adviser, Shanahan, who earned his doctorate from Case Western Reserve, is responsible for coordinating state agencies' efforts to develop a comprehensive Ohio energy policy and to implement the governor's order to significantly reduce state agency energy consumption.

Shanahan also oversees the work of the Ohio Coal Development Office, one of the nation's leading clean coal technology research, development and deployment programs. He has served as Ohio's Clean Air Ombudsman for small business since 1994.

Case men's soccer team Brazil bound for friendlies and sightseeing

2008-05-07T15:52:19Z

While many of their classmates are heading home for summer vacation and beginning summer jobs, the players on the Case Western Reserve University men's soccer team will kick-off their summer in Brazil, as they depart for South America today for ten days of competition, sight-seeing, and maybe a few surf lessons.

The Spartans will spend time in Guaruja, Sa Paulo, Sao Bento do Sapucai, Ilha Grande and Rio de Janeiro. Highlights of the trip abroad will include a visit to Santos Stadium, the Pele Museum and the "Christ the Redeemer" statue.

"Only two of our guys have been to Brazil, so it's going to be a new experience for most of us," said Head Coach Dan Palmer. "It will certainly be a different culture that they've never experienced."

Student Turning Point Society selects new members, looks ahead to fostering additional campus relationships

2008-05-06T16:04:36Z

During a recent weekend brunch, Case Western Reserve University's Student Turning Point Society (STPS) welcomed 17 new members who will serve as ambassadors to share the spirit of Case Western Reserve with alumni, donors, and friends.

Christened after the campus sculpture of the same name, the Turning Point Society also encourages students to contribute to the success of Case Western Reserve. Nine members who will return for the 2008-2009 academic year also reaffirmed their commitment to the philosophy that students are not only responsible for gaining from their university but also for giving to it.

Jeffrey Zabinski, the society's new executive director, said the STPS already has set its sights on a significant assignment for the upcoming academic year.

Case Western Reserve University expands Community Card program to Cuyahoga county residents

2008-05-05T17:30:14Z

Just in time for spring and summer activities, Greater Clevelanders can now take advantage of discounts to movies, area restaurants and more by signing up for Case Western Reserve University's Case Community Card.

The community card, which was introduced a few years ago as a pilot program for people living near the university in Cleveland wards 6-9, has recently expanded to include residents of the Greater Cleveland community.

"This program has been an excellent vehicle to invite members of the local community to explore our campus and participate in an assortment of programs, events and services offered throughout the year," said Latisha James, director of the university's Center for Community Partnerships. "Cardholders can enjoy many of the same amenities and benefits extended to each of the faculty, staff and students. More importantly, the Case Community Card enables our neighbors to have direct access to our campus facilities and services. We are excited to expand this program to the Greater Cleveland region and look forward to seeing more of our neighbors on campus soon."

Case Western Reserve political scientist reviews women's advances in politics

2008-05-01T19:11:25Z

In new book, Political Women and American Democracy

Women have made strides over the past 30 years in American politics, but those gains only rank American women 57th in the world as elected participants in their governments and legislation—well behind other western nations and countries like Rwanda where 48 percent of their legislative seats are filled by women.

The road to political office in the U.S. is fraught with obstacles for women. Some women have navigated the barriers to fill 17 percent of the seats in the U.S. Congress, but for many others these obstacles present real challenges to gaining office at state and national levels, according to Karen Beckwith, Case Western Reserve University political scientist. She is an editor of and contributing author to Political Women and American Democracy , published this month by Cambridge University Press.

Medical school faculty member suggests new model for development of schizophrenia

2008-04-30T16:22:01Z

Researchers Find Disease May Result from Small Number of Rare Genetic Mutations

Doctors have long known schizophrenia has a genetic basis, and have hypothesized that the disease resulted from combinations of common genes, or alleles, each contributing towards the disease in a small way. But a new study, co-authored by a Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine faculty member, suggests that a predisposition to schizophrenia may instead be caused by just a few, rare genetic mutations, each contributing significantly to the disease.

The study, " Rare Structural Variants Disrupt Multiple Genes in Neurodevelopmental Pathways in Schizophrenia," has been published in the April 2008 issue of Science magazine. Robert Findling, M.D., the Rocco L Motto, M.D. Professor of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, and director of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry at Case Medical Center, a partnership between the university's School of Medicine and University Hospitals, is a co-author.

Case Western Reserve University students take honors in Goldwater Competition

2008-04-29T16:10:14Z

Daniel Alt named scholar; Josh Hamilton and Viral Shah awarded honorable mentions

Three undergraduate students at Case Western Reserve University, who have been actively involved in research along with their academic achievements, have been recognized by the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation.

Daniel Alt has won the prestigious Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship to continue his studies in science, mathematics and engineering. Recognized with honorable mentions were Viral Shah and Joshua Hamilton.

University Releases Details of Upcoming Yearlong Celebration of Darwin

2008-04-29T16:08:26Z

Case Western Reserve University is planning a yearlong celebration to help mark the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwinâ€™s birth—and the 150th anniversary of the publication (November 24, 1859) of his influential book On the Origin of Species —and has launched a Web site with the first details of events to be conducted on campus from fall 2008 to summer 2009.

To celebrate the Year of Darwin—in honor of the British naturalist who proposed that evolution was the process by which current species change over time and new species arise—Case Western Reserve will host a series of lectures that demonstrate the importance and wide applicability of evolutionary ideas and approaches in varied spheres of intellectual and practical endeavor. Annual university events will adopt this theme and faculty may incorporate related issues into their courses. Details on the Darwin Celebration are now available online.

Among speakers to appear on campus between August, 2008 and April 2009, will be E.O Wilson, an eminent evolutionary biologist and popular writer who has won two Pulitzer Prizes, and Sean B. Carroll, who uses genetics and molecular biology to understand the evolution of animal form.

As part of the educational mission of the Case Darwin Celebration, the university is also looking to build an online archive of evolution-related essays.

Every Case faculty member is invited to submit an essay addressing how evolution or evolution-related ideas relate to his or her research or scholarship. Essays should be about 500 to 800 words in length and accessible to the general public. Members of the Darwin Planning Committee will review the essays. Those submissions deemed to contribute to the overall mission of effectively communicating the range of application of Darwinian ideas will be posted on the Darwin Celebration Web site. Essays should be submitted by July 1, 2008 to darwin@case.edu.

For more information contact Paula Baughn, 216.368.4443.

UCITE to Honor Five Glennan Fellows April 30

2008-04-28T20:00:06Z

Five faculty will present award-winning projects

The University Center for Innovation in Teaching and Education (UCITE) invites the campus community to come out and learn about the research of and to celebrate the five faculty members who were selected as Glennan Fellows during the Annual Glennan Fellows Program, noon to 1:30 p.m., April 30 in the Herrick Room of the Allen Memorial Medical Library.

This year's Fellows—who represent the fields of sociology, law, engineering, biology, engineering and nursing—will present their award-winning projects during the program.

Pizza lunch and sodas will be provided at the session, and will be available beginning at 11:45 a.m. To help estimate the amount to order, UCITE requests RSVP's via e-mail, by calling 368-1224, or online.

Do dogs think? Undergraduates explore animal cognition, disposition in interdisciplinary philosophy course

2008-04-24T18:08:34Z

Dogs listen to iPod music. Cats stare at computer animation. It's all part of students observing animals during Sara Waller's service learning philosophy class on animal behavior, consciousness and cognition at Case Western Reserve University.

While students are walking dogs, playing with cats or observing animals, they have some bigger philosophical questions to answer. Do animals think? Can they reason or are they just machines such as philosopher Rene Descartes suggested.

"I think animals are more than machines, but I'm also interested in how animal minds might be set up differently from our own minds," said Waller. "That is the point of intrigue for me. I do think they are conscious, but I don't' think we will know everything about their consciousness or how they conceptualized the world."

Select collections go live on university's YouTube channel

2008-04-24T14:18:13Z

Case Western Reserve University is expanding its reach in cyberspace with the launch of its own dedicated YouTube channel.

From "The Story of Case Western Reserve University" to President Barbara Snyder at The Spot, the university's YouTube unique playlist of news, events, stories and special interests currently includes 111 videos. The "Stuff for Your Brain" section features multi-media of more than 70 classes, public lectures and presentations.

Coming soon to Case YouTube: some full courses, every session of several semester-long classes on video, online.

Already available at youtube.com/case are athletic competitions and gospel concerts, center dedications and campus celebrations, research collaborations and summer reading speaker -- now with 300 times the views and visibility of previous Internet instruments.

Case Western Reserve University, city of Cleveland and Cleveland Clinic make landmark commitment to social responsibility

2008-04-22T17:28:57Z

Organizations position themselves as regional leaders for sustainability and social responsibility by signing on to United Nations Global Compact

Case Western Reserve University, the city of Cleveland and Cleveland Clinic marked Earth Day 2008 with a joint commitment to corporate responsibility towards the environment, human rights, labor rights and anti-corruption. The three organizations became members of the United Nations Global Compact today (April 22) at city hall with President Barbara Snyder, Mayor Frank Jackson and Oliver Henkel, Chief External Affairs Officer from Cleveland Clinic, signing on to support and advance the 10 principles of the compact.

"Case Western Reserve University prides itself on being a leader in sustainability and social responsibility," said Snyder. "By bringing the university, city and Clinic together through the United Nations Global Compact, we can begin to work with one another to address social, economic and environmental issues both locally and globally."

The Global Compact is an international initiative to promote responsible corporate citizenship. With over 4,000 worldwide corporate members, including companies such as Coca-Cola and Microsoft, it is the world's largest social responsibility movement.