Blog@Case Topics: Students

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."

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 athletics awards handed out at annual banquet

2008-04-30T15:04:00Z

Case Western Reserve University Athletics handed out its annual department awards tonight at the 2008 All-Sports Banquet in Horsburgh Gymnasium. Below are the description of each award and the winners.

Patricia B. Kilpatrick Award

Four-year varsity participant with highest GPA.

Rebecca Winarski (Germantown, WI) - Womenâ€™s swimming and diving: Winarski has a 3.89 GPA and will graduate in May with a degree in mathematics.

Dorothy L. Hoza Award

Given to the female freshman, sophomore, or junior student-athlete, who has made a strong contribution to the Womenâ€™s Intercollegiate Sports Program, maintained a high level of academic achievement, shown leadership in the team and contributed service to the Department and University.

Ashleigh Tondo (McDonald, OH) - Womenâ€™s basketball: Tondo, a biology major and pre-med student, was a first-team All-University Athletic Association selection at guard this past season and started all 25 games for the Spartans. She averaged a team-best 14.9 points per-game (2nd in UAA) and a league-leading 4.8 assists per-game this past season.

Emily R. Andrews Award

The award is given to the outstanding senior who has made a strong contribution to the Womenâ€™s Intercollegiate Sports Program, maintained a high level of academic achievement, shown leadership in team, and contributed service to the department and University.

Lauren Seeds (Pickerington, OH) - Softball: In four seasons at Case Western Reserve, Seeds has played in every game, totaling 163. She was a second-team All-UAA selection in 2007 after batting .353 with 13 doubles and 17 RBIs. Seeds finished her senior season with a .348 batting average, a team-high 48 hits and scored 28 runs. A cognitive science and psychology major, Seeds will graduate in May.

Arthur P. Leary Award

The award is given to the outstanding freshman, sophomore, or junior who has demonstrated leadership in the team, maintained good academic standing in the University, demonstrated good sportsmanship, and made a contribution to the department and University.

Drew Gardella (Sagamore Hills, OH) - Wrestling: Gardella, a junior, finished the 2008 season with a 21-4 record on the mat, moving his career-record to 92-24 in three seasons at Case Western Reserve. He was given the 2008 University Athletic Association Most Outstanding Wrestler Award after finishing undefeated at the UAA Championships at New York University. Gardella, a biology, cognitive science and psychology triple major, was part of Caseâ€™s National Wrestling Coaches Association Scholar All-American team last season.

Philip K. "Nip" Heim Award

Is presented annually to the senior male student-athlete who has made the most outstanding contribution to Case Western Reserve University through the athletics program. The selection is based on if he demonstrated leadership in the team, maintained good academic standing in the University, demonstrated good sportsmanship, participated in at least two years in the Case athletics program, and demonstrated loyalty to team and University.

Brandon Jeffries (Northfield, OH) - Football & Track: Jeffries was a four-year starter on the offensive line for the Spartans, earning Honorable Mention All-UAA accolades his first three seasons before earning first-team honors this past fall. Jeffries also earned second-team all-region honors from D3Football.com this past season, starting all 12 games for the Spartans at center. In track and field, he is an accomplished thrower, as he finished first in the weight throw at the Spartan Relays this past winter and finished runner-up in the shot put and weight throw at the UAA Indoor Track and Field Championships. At the UAA Outdoor Championships this* season, Jeffries took second in the shot put.

Bill Sudeck Outstanding Student-Athlete Award

This award honors the individual who best exemplifies the attributes of the Case Western Reserve University student-athlete in the spirit of legendary coach, mentor and friend William "Bill Sudeck. Coach Sudeck spent more than half his life - 46 years - shaping the young minds of cross country, basketball, and track and field athletes. The award is given to the student-athlete that has demonstrated and achieved significant athletic accomplishments, academic achievements, engagement in campus activities, and has shown leadership in athletics and in the classroom.

Kevin Bigart (Naperville, IL) - Menâ€™s soccer: Junior forward Kevin Bigart started and played in all 18 games for the Spartans this past fall, scoring six goals and tallying two assists. Not only was Bigart a first-team All-UAA selection, but he earned second-team Academic All-American accolades. Bigart also garnered first-team All-Region and All-Ohio honors, as well as first-team All-Academic honors by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. A chemistry and pre-med student, Bigart led the Spartans to 12 victories this past fall and a No. 2 national ranking during the season.

Nancy Gray Rookie of the Year Award

Andrea Fischione (Export, PA) - Cross country & Track: Freshman Fischione had a breakout season for the Spartans in cross country, and her success has carried over to the track and field team. In cross country, Fischione finished third among all Division-III runners at the All-Ohio Invitational, earning herself second-team All-UAA honors and a trip to the NCAA Championships. Fischione has also run consistent in track and field this winter and spring.

Bill Sudeck Rookie of the Year Award

Sam Coffey (Middletown, OH) - Football: Freshman Coffey proved to have ice in his veins on several occasions this past fall, most notably when he drilled the game-winning field goal as time expired against conference rival Carnegie Mellon, and in the regular season finale when his career-long 42-yard field goal propelled the Spartans to a 20-17 victory over Ohio Wesleyan. Coffey was named the University Athletic Association Athlete of the Week on Special Teams six times this, earning him first-team All-UAA honors. He led the Spartans in total points (85) and made 12-of-17 field goals and 49-of-51 PATs.

Female Athlete of the Year Award

Esther Erb (Richmond, VA) - Cross country & Track: Senior runner Erb will leave Case Western Reserve University as one of the most accomplished athletes in school history. She has competed in a total of eight NCAA Division-III Championships, and has already qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships this spring in the 10,000-meter run. She has been named an All-American twice in cross country, once in indoor track and field and once in outdoor track and field. In cross country, she claimed the Universityâ€™s first-ever University Athletic Association title in womenâ€™s cross country and was named the Great Lakes Runner of the Year. She is the first female in UAA history to accomplish the Triple Crown, as she won Most Outstanding Performer [running events] in both indoor and outdoor track as well as the individual title in cross country. This past fall, she won six consecutive races from Sept. 15-Nov. 17, including the All-Ohio Championships, where she bested a field composed of NCAA Division I, II, III and NAIA runners. During the indoor track season, Erb ran a personal-best time of 17:17.21 in the 5,000-meter run, placing fourth overall and earning All-American accolades. Her first place finish in the 10,000-meter run at the Walt Disney Invitational already qualified her for the NCAA D-III Outdoor Track and Field Championships where she will have a chance to earn her fifth All-American award. At the UAA Outdoor Championships in Chicago, Erb took home titles in both the 1,500 and 5,000-meter run. Her time of 17:22.20 in the 5,000-meter run is a UAA record, a track record at the University of Chicago and an NCAA Division III provisional qualifying time.

Dr. David Hutter Male Athlete of the Year Award

Matt Paglia (Pittsburgh, PA) - Menâ€™s soccer: Junior forward Paglia started in 17 games for the Spartans this past fall, scoring a team-best eight goals and tallying one assist. A first-team All-UAA selection, Paglia was named the UAA Athlete of the Week twice this past season, including Oct. 2 after he netted three goals in Caseâ€™s 3-0 victory over the College of Wooster. He was named a third-team All-American by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) and was a first-team all-region selection by NSCAA, a first-team All-Ohio selection, and a second-team all-region selection by D3Kicks.com. A nursing major, Paglia led the Spartans to 12 wins this past fall and a No. 2 national ranking during the season.

For more information contact Creg Jantz, 216.368.6517.

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.

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.

Medicaid children in Cuyahoga county face dental crisis says dental medicine student-researcher at Case Western Reserve University

2008-04-18T15:52:11Z

Student's research garners numerous honors from dental organizations nationwide

According to an award-winning study on children with and without Medicaid, a Case Western Reserve University third-year dental student found that Medicaid children have three times the unmet dental problems and treatment needs than other non-Medicaid children.

In a related study, Anita Bhavnani, of Scottsdale, Ariz., also surveyed nearly 400 dental providers to find out what prevents dentists from taking on Medicaid patients.

"Medicaid children have an urgent need for improved access to dental careâ€”including preventative services," said Bhavnani, lead researcher on the studies, " The Oral Health Status of Medicaid and non-Medicaid Children," and "Dentists' Perception about the Medicaid Dental Program in Cuyahoga County, Ohio."

University to Discuss, Demonstrate Collaborative Technologies During May 8 Campus Summit

2008-04-18T15:12:22Z

Case Western Reserve University will highlight new technologies and how they enhance research and discovery during its campus Collaboration Technologies Summit 2008 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 8 in Thwing Center. In addition, the keynote and panels will be streamed in ClevelandPlus in SecondLife.

All university faculty, staff, students, alumni, neighborhood and community partners are invited to attend the symposium and demonstration event—that will be conducted simultaneously at collaborative sites throughout world.

The event will feature a keynote address by Anthony D. Williams. An author, researcher and consultant, Williams's latest project is the bestselling book (co-authored with Don Tapscott) called Wikinomics: How Mass Collaboration Changes Everything.

Two panels at the summit will be anchored by Campus Computing Project Director, Dr. Kenneth Green, Visiting Scholar at Claremont Colleges. The first panel is titled Making Sense of the explosion of Web 2.0 tools and their relevance and consequence in Higher Education . Panelists include educators and faculty leaders from Case Western Reserve University, University of Southern California, Bradley University, and Researchers from IBM. At the end of the day-long event Green will host a panel called Collaboration Technology—What's Next?: Bold Predictions, Cautionary Notes and Take Away Lessons. Panelists include leaders from Case Western Reserve University, Tri-C, MIT, and the co-founder of SecondLife, Cory Ondrejka.

Breakout sessions will include:

Track 1: Community Engagement: From local impact to global influence

Connected Communities and Wireless Connectivity—Case Western Reserve, OneCommunity—The Next Chapter
Virtual Worlds and the New Frontiers of Learning—From SecondLife to Wonderland
Worldwide Learning Environments
To Data Warehousing and Beyond!

Track 2: Mobile Discovery

Mobile Advertising—Where and how do 2D codes fit in?
The Convergence of Print, Mobile and Internet: from USA TODAY to FaceBook, how CodeIntelligence extends the value of print advertising
The Nation's First 2D bar code trial: Findings & Implications

Track 3: The People Formerly Known as the Audience

Rich Media and Participatory Culture—The Experience of YouTube and iTunes in Higher Education
New Frontiers in Video-Based Collaboration
Towards a Unified Communications Environment Leveraging VOIP and WebEx—The Cisco Story

Track 4: Blogs and Wikis

Meet the Bloggers: Community Thought Leadership and Touching New Audiences
Scholarship and Blogging, the View From Within the Academy
Wikis and Collaboration Models for Active Learning

Featured at the Summit will be demonstrations of the launch of the University Circle Wireless Mesh with Cleveland-based OneCommunity,

Details of the Summit, including registration information, can be found at http://www.case.edu/its/collabtech08/collabtech08.html

The conference is free.

The Collaborative Technologies Summit 2008 is sponsored by Case Western Reserve's Information Technology Services, University Library, University Center for Innovation in Teaching and Education, Office of the Provost, Human Resources, Faculty Senate Committee on Information Resources and Council of Technology Officers. Corporate underwriting comes from IBM, Cisco, EMC, Dell, OneCommunity, Mobile Discovery, and PerceptIS.

For more information contact Jason Tirotta, 216.368.6890.

Smetona stocking-up victories, bonding with brother

2008-04-16T15:14:59Z

The University Circle area certainly won't have a shortage of Smetona's in the coming years, because not only do senior Joe Smetona and his brother John play tennis here at Case Western Reserve University, but there are likely four more Smetona siblings on the way to campus, all of whom plan on playing tennis for the Spartans.

"Someone will have to make a 'Smetona Shrine' somewhere after we leave here with all of our pictures around the room," joked Joe Smetona.

So far this season, Joe Smetona has played great tennis and helped the Case Western Reserve men's team post an 11-1 record this spring. Individually, he is 10-3 and ranked 19th in the Central Region by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) and has aspirations of making it to the NCAA Division-III Tennis Championships in May.

Case Western Reserve University Law School moot court team wins world championship

2008-04-15T16:26:57Z

Team bests nearly 600 opponents in world's largest and most prestigious moot court competition

For the first time in its history, Case Western Reserve University School of Law won the Phillip C. Jessup International Moot Court Competition Saturday, April 12, in Washington, D.C. The Jessup Competition, now in its 49th year, is the world's largest and most prestigious Moot Court tournament.

This year 598 schools from 98 different countries competed. Case Western Reserve's victory marked just the second time in 14 years—and third since 1990—an American team was crowned world champion. The coveted Jessup Cup will reside at the law school for the next year.

"The Jessup team's historic accomplishment speaks volumes about the quality of our students and our international law program," said Michael Scharf, professor of law and director of the Frederick K. Cox International Law Center. "Everyone I spoke to said it was the best Jessup finals in 20 years."

Gravity wave "smoking gun" fizzles, according to Case Western Reserve University physics researchers

2008-04-14T16:53:38Z

But gravitational waves may be more sensitive probe of early universe physics than previously thought

A team of researchers from Case Western Reserve University has found that gravitational radiation—widely expected to provide "smoking gun" proof for a theory of the early universe known as "inflation"—can be produced by another mechanism.

According to physics scholars, inflation theory proposes that the universe underwent a period of exponential expansion right after the big bang. A key prediction of inflation theory is the presence of a particular spectrum of "gravitational radiation"—ripples in the fabric of space-time that are notoriously difficult to detect but believed to exist nonetheless.

"If we see a primordial gravitational wave background, we can no longer say for sure it is due to inflation," said Lawrence Krauss, the Ambrose Swasey Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Case Western Reserve.

At the same time the researchers find that gravitational waves are a far more sensitive probe of new physics near the highest energy scale of interest to particle physicists than previously envisaged. Thus their work provides strong motivation for the ongoing quest to detect primordial gravitational radiation.

Now reporting from the American Association for the Advancement of Science Meeting in Boston…senior Yvette Cendes

2008-04-10T15:18:07Z

Case Western Reserve University physicist Lawrence Krauss—a writer of popular science books—may have some future competition for the bestsellers' list. Recently the National Science Writers Association (NASW) chose senior physics major Yvette Cendes as one of 10 undergraduates to participate in the American Association for the Advancement of Science's (AAAS) annual meeting in Boston.

"The reason this honor was so cool is that I got a press badge. That was fun," said Cendes.

But that wasn't everything the NASW offered. She was teamed up with Time magazine contributing writer Michael Lemonick for shadowing and mentoring. Lemonick introduced her to reporters and editors of major science magazines as well as scientists—many Cendes said she has admired for a long time.

Ko plays tennis and finds research at Case

2008-04-09T16:55:51Z

Although Case Western Reserve University sophomore Kristin Ko had a successful four-year tennis career at Anderson High School in Cincinnati, Ohio, she did not plan on playing for the Spartans. Ko was interested in trying something new.

"My parents, along with my brother, came up for Labor Day weekend my freshman year and while we were hitting balls up on the courts, some of the women on the varsity team saw me playing and told me 'you should join the team'. They continued to bug me, so I gave it a try."

And as they say 'the rest is history.' Ko currently plays No. 1 singles and doubles for the Spartans in her second season and although her record may not show it, interim Head Coach Dan Palmer has no reservations about her potential on the court.

Case Western Reserve University's MaDaCol presents spring concert, April 17-19

2008-04-09T16:50:30Z

Case Western Reserve University's MaDaCol (Mather Dance Collective) will present its spring concert. Performances are at 8 p.m. April 17 and 18 and at 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on April 19 in the Mather Dance Center, 11201 Bellflower Road, behind Church of the Covenant.

MaDaCol is the university's dance ensemble of undergraduate dancers from a wide range of majors and community members.

The group will perform three works:

" Night Crawling," choreographed by Beth Salemi to music by Paul Leary and accompaniment by Marcelo Amaral. Performing this work will be Shayna Brahwaite, Shelly Farris, Genevieve Marie Hill, Brad Petot, Tessa Pope, Heather Sakai, Megan Tyler, Meg Wuerderman and Deb Carlson-Klein
" Lonely People," choreographed by Ken Gasch to Sarah Lohman arrangement of music by The Beatles. Dancing this work will be Erika Bailey, Shelly Coppola, Anne Deucher, Sayaka Fujioka, Trina Hines, Brian Houlihan, Erin Jones, Andrea LeBlond, Alison Sega, Jessica Stultz, Lauren Wescott and Owen Zicari
An untitled work by Kathleen Kohatsu and set to music by Harry Partch and danced by Melissa Cox, Maria Efimara, Elizabeth Gurdian, Sharona Hoffman, Claire Kenny and Marlee Ravia

Admission is $4 at the door. To learn more, call 216-368-6262.

For more information contact Susan Griffith, 216.368.1004.

Senior Class Kicks Off 2008 Gift Campaign

2008-04-04T15:24:39Z

The Senior Class Gift Campaign kicked off its fundraising effort during the Grad Fair last week, offering commemorative t-shirts to those who made a commitment. The event was the first in a series of activities designed to raise support for the campaign, which strives to show undergraduate seniors the impact private support has at the university.

While gifts of any size are welcome, seniors are encouraged to give $20.08 in recognition of their class year. The campaign is off to a great start: with 51 gifts totaling $699.56.

From the day that students set foot on campus, private gifts to the Annual Fund quietly work to enhance their Case Western Reserve experience by supporting scholarships, students groups, faculty, and classroom equipment and research.

"The more that current students learn about the impact of alumni giving on their daily lives, the more inclined they are to join that tradition and make their first gift," notes Kassy Wyman, director of the university annual fund.

Victor Groza—changing lives of children…one country at a time

2008-04-03T16:16:29Z

Case Western Reserve University social work professor transforms adoption systems

Orphaned children need homes. Victor Groza from the Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences at Case Western Reserve University has been working to reform child welfare systems around the world.

Groza started with Romania in 1991 and then India in 2001. The Ukraine followed in 2005. Now through UNICEF's international child welfare initiative, he has been working closely with Guatemalan social service agencies for the past year to move children out of institutional care into a foster care system and promoting the value that children should grow up with families.

Baseball's Hurley at home on the diamond

2008-03-26T16:02:19Z

Clay Hurley

The grandson of a former Cleveland Indian pitcher, Clay Hurley wanted to play football coming out of high school, ended up briefly playing college basketball, and now is the leadoff man and starting centerfielder for the Case Western Reserve University baseball team.

His road to Cleveland has certainly been the one less traveled, but he wouldn't have it any other way.

Hurley, a pre-med student and biology major, graduated from Connellsville Area High School in 2005 with hopes of playing football for Lehigh University. But after coaching changes at the school during his senior year, he made the decision to attend Grove City College and take the hardwood for the Wolverines, where he played a limited role as a swingman during his freshman campaign.

Case Western Reserve University Music Department Presents Purcell's Dido & Aeneas

2008-03-25T12:59:45Z

The Case Western Reserve University Department of Music will premiere a new and expanded semi-staged version of Henry Purcell's famous opera, Dido and Aeneas , on Thursday and Friday, April 3 and 4, at 8 p.m. in Harkness Chapel, 11120 Bellflower Rd. The performances, stage-directed by Ellen Hargis and music-directed and choreographed by Julie Andrijeski, are free and open to the public, although tickets are required.

Research ShowCASE to highlight faculty, student research, collaborations

2008-03-24T15:09:36Z

Online registration begins today for Case Western Reserve University's Sixth Annual Research ShowCASE.

Campus community members interested in the latest findings on aging, oral health, wind energy and more are invited to come out and learn more about these topics and to interact with the researchers. The sixth annual Research ShowCASE—taking place April 16 and 17 at Veale Convocation Center—highlights ongoing research from the university. The general public and friends of the university also are invited to attend the free exhibition.

Track's Nwanna runs, jumps and throws

2008-03-19T15:23:20Z

Although he is a member of a rebuilding track and field team at Case Western Reserve University, Obinna Nwanna is a part of an already renowned and established biomedical engineering (BME) program.

The BME undergraduate program at Case Western Reserve is currently ranked seventh in the country by the U.S. News & World Report and the graduate program 10th.

A cornerstone of the success of the BME department at Case Western Reserve is a collaborative environment. Just a sophomore, Nwanna is doing his best to apply this foundation to all facets of his life.

The Maumee native helps map the fascicular anatomy and morphology of the lower sciatic nerve, which he hopes ultimately leads to improved prosthesis made for victims of spinal cord injury (SCI) and strokes.