In Case You Missed It
In the fall of 2022, ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ gathered together to celebrate the achievements of those within our ranks, exchange ideas, and reconnect. Please enjoy Homecoming 2022 highlights from The Alumni Association of ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½.
In the fall of 2021, ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ gathered virtually to celebrate the achievements of those within our ranks, exchange ideas, and reconnect. Although 2020 and 2021 presented challenges to our time-honored traditions, we were able to provide hybrid experiences that allowed us to share our collective pride for our alma mater, and the milestones we've achieved together.
Please enjoy Homecoming 2021 highlights from The Alumni Association of ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½.
The African American Alumni Association, in partnership with ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½â€™s Office for Inclusion, Diversity and Equal Opportunity, developed a new series in 2020 that features in-depth conversations with faculty and staff from across campus — highlighting their work and research.
ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ has launched Spartans Step Up, focusing on ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½â€™s approach to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Upcoming episodes will cover protecting the elderly population, staying mentally positive, and recognizing and supporting those most vulnerable to the disease. For updates on the dates and times of future episodes, please follow .
The Alumni Association of ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ and the Flora Stone Mather Center for Women host Women of Wonder, a series of conversations on women’s professional leadership journeys.
Alumni and guests are invited to gather for an in-depth conversation on topics that explore women’s pathways in the pursuit of leadership, the obstacles they faced along the way and the tactics that kept them moving forward.
In honor of Women's History Month, join this virtual discussion featuring Elise Hara Auvil (LAW '92) and Jessica Trivisonno (LAW '17), who are members of the administration of Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb (MGT '18, LAW '18). Learn how their ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ School of Law education and experiences prepared them for their leadership roles.
The Alumni Association of ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ partnered with ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ School of Law.
The Alumni Association of ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ welcomed this year's incoming class and their parents with our virtual Summer Send-Offs!
The group heard presentations from both the The Alumni Association of ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ and Student Advancement. It was a great opportunity for students to ask questions and network with alumni and fellow first-year students.
On Thursday, June 10, The African American Alumni Association of ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ hosted a wine tasting with Château Hough Vineyards. The vineyards and winery at Chateau Hough are located in the heart of the historic Hough neighborhood of Cleveland, equidistant between downtown Cleveland and ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½'s home in University Circle. The winery offers seven bold, crisp and contemporary wines made from the two varieties of cold-hardy grapes grown on-site.
Our guest speaker for the event, Château Hough Vineyards CEO Mansfield Frazier, discussed the founding of and vision for the winery and its relationship to its non-profit organization, Neighborhood Solutions, Inc.
On Monday, May 24, The Alumni Association of ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ partnered with instructor and the Cleveland Museum of Art to put a virtual wire sculpting workshop. Participants were able to explore using wire on 2-D and 3-D planes by creating sculptures of their front and side profiles design.
On Tuesday, May 18, The Alumni Association of ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ conducted an in-depth interview with Robert Solomon, Esq., Vice President for Office for Inclusion, Diversity and Equal Opportunity. He shared his professional journey and future plans for ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ as well as providing insight into his role as leading the university, providing strategic leadership in the development of policies, procedures, and programs that will help foster diversity, inclusiveness and a welcoming environment for faculty, staff, and students.
Ready, set... Hudson Relays! Hudson Relays returned on Saturday, April 24. While the pandemic caused Hudson Relays to look a bit different, the tradition continued. Alumni were invited to participate virtually by sharing videos of their run or favorite fitness activity, or by sharing a special Hudson Relays memory.
Their submissions were included in the Hudson Relays webcast at 10 a.m. EDT on Saturday, April 24.
The field of oral and maxillofacial surgery involves the diagnosis and management of many of the conditions involving the oral cavity and the maxillofacial structures. Join us virtually for an overview of the various surgical procedures, scope of practice, training requirements and guidelines, and case presentations and discussions. Facial disfigurement can have profound implications, including altered body image, reduced quality of life and poor self-esteem. See how oral surgery is Changing Faces, Saving Lives.
About the Speaker:
Faisal A. Quereshy, (MED ‘97, DEN ‘99), FACS
Director, Residency Program, and Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ School of Dental Medicine
Program Director, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center and Ahuja Medical Center
The African American Alumni Association, in collaboration with ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½â€™s One to One Fitness, invited all alumni to enjoy a special Afrobeats Dance Workshop, featuring Azonto, a dance style that originates from Ghana, West Africa. This upbeat style of dance is typically performed for recreational or entertainment purposes and creates movements from significant terms or actions and daily activities.
The class was taught by Christian Mintah, a third-year MFA in contemporary dance student at ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½. He is a dancer/choreographer trained in West African (Ghanaian) traditional dances, African contemporary dances and popular African dance (commonly known as Afrobeat dance). He has choreographed for several Ghana artists, including singer Adina and BBnZ Live members Lil Shaker and Kojo Que — working on the official dance video for the song Mamayie. Mintah also has performed in many dance productions and music videos.
Throughout the month of March, The Alumni Association of ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½, in conjunction with the Cleveland Institute of Art’s Cinematheque, hosted a Virtual Film Slam featuring three films and in-depth discussions with ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ experts. Each of the independent films selected showcase critical issues impacting the country and each film discussion was led by a ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ faculty or staff member with particular knowledge or background to the film’s key themes. Additionally, the film series highlighted the ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ Film Society, a student organization celebrating 50 years on campus.
On March 11, Sarah Ferrato, Education Coordinator, ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½â€™s Flora Stone Mather Center for Women, facilitated a discussion about the film Test Pattern, following an interracial couple whose relationship is tested after a Black woman is sexually assaulted and her white boyfriend drives her from hospital to hospital in search of a rape kit. Set against the backdrop of national discussions around inequitable health care and policing, the #metoo movement, and race in America.
On March 17, Liz Roccoforte, Director, ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½â€™s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Center, facilitated a discussion regarding the Golden Globe-nominated film Two of Us. The film features two retired women, who have been in love for decades, though everybody thinks they are simply neighbors — until one woman's daughter gradually unravels the truth about them.
On March 22, Aleksandar Cuic, Adjunct Professor of Law, Milton A. Kramer Law Clinic Center, ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ School of Law facilitated a conversation about Identifying Features. In the film, a middle-aged woman loses contact with her son after he leaves their town of Guanajuato to cross the border into the U.S. in search of work and embarks on an increasingly dangerous journey to discover the truth.
Alumni were invited to learn about establishing a professional brand, creating connections to effectively move a job search forward, optimizing a LinkedIn profile for improved networking.
Event attendees also reviewed ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ Connect: Alumni Career Network, powered by Wisr, a way to connect to thousands of ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ students, faculty, staff and alumni for informational interviews and networking.
Presented by Lisa Hebert, LMH Advisors, and Laura Papcum of ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½â€™s Post-Graduate Planning and Experiential Education.
The ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ Blue Book Club kicked off with a discussion of Designing Victory: The Architect Who Dared, Dreamed, and Achieved International Acclaim, a memoir by Robert P. Madison, FAIA (ARC '48, HON '04) with Carlo Wolff.
In celebration of Black History Month, the book club selection featured a conversation with Robert P. Madison, FAIA, on February 27, 2021.
As a decorated member of the historic Buffalo Soldiers, Second Lieutenant Robert P. Madison decided to enroll in the architecture program at Western Reserve University, only to be summarily denied access based on his race. He returned in full dress uniform, with his Purple Heart from an injury sustained in Italy in World War II, and declared they could not keep him out of college. Under duress, he was admitted.
Robert P. Madison, FAIA (ARC '48, HON '04), the great-grandson of slaves, had the drive and brilliance to thrive, despite attempts from others to determine his future for him. In 1954, Madison opened the first African-American architectural firm in Ohio, and only the 10th in the country. This was only the beginning of his many accomplishments and contributions to society — and the challenges he would overcome along the way.
The African American Alumni Association hosted a special conversation with Civil Rights Lecturer and Cleveland native Clarence Bozeman.
During his college days at Alabama State University in Montgomery, Bozeman became the first full-time transportation employee for Dexter Avenue Baptist Church. In that capacity, he served as the driver for the family of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. From 1958 until 1960, Bozeman transported Dr. King and his wife, Coretta, on speaking engagements throughout the state of Alabama. On those occasions, he had the rare opportunity to share in the private thoughts and conversations with Dr. and Mrs. King.
Bozeman's lecture includes his first-hand experiences during the historic Civil Rights Movement, including the 1955 Montgomery Bus Boycott, the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and critical student activism.
The Alumni Association of ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ kicked off the holiday season with Jingle Mingle, an annual ugly holiday sweater party for the Graduates Of the Last Decade. This year's event featured a virtual wine tasting hosted by Cleveland's .
On Thursday, November 12, 2020, the ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ Detroit Alumni Chapter and technology consultant Gary Valentz (MGT '86) hosted an in-depth conversation on the electrically charged changes to the vehicle industry.
On October 21, 2020, ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ examined the research that points to the next wave of COVID-19 victims - our wildlife. From marine mammals to the most endangered primates, new research is identifying risks and practical steps needed to mitigate the spread.
Moderated by Dr. Fady Faddoul, DDS, MSD, Chair of the Department of Comprehensive Care, our panel featured:
- Dr. Martin Nweeia, Assistant Clinical Professor at the ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ School Of Dental Medicine, Lecturer at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, and Research Scientist at the Smithsonian Institution and The Museum of Nature in Canada;
- Dr. Oliver Ryder, the Kleberg Endowed Director of Conservation Genetics for San Diego Zoo Global and Adjunct Professor in the Department of Evolution, Behavior and Ecology at the University of California, San Diego;
- Dr. Judy St. Leger, a veterinary pathologist and former Vice President of Research and Science for SeaWorld. Dr. St. Leger currently serves as adjunct professor at Cornell University; and
- Dr. Nicole Burt, Curator of Human Health and Evolutionary Medicine at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Anthropology at ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ and in the Department of Bioethics at the School of Medicine.
On Thursday, August 27, The Alumni Association partnered with to showcase a virtual performance of We Shall Not Be Moved, a timely exploration of past and present struggles which suggests an alternate future through the eyes of its young protagonists.
The show was preceded by a discussion with Heather E. Burton, PhD, senior director for faculty and institutional diversity and interim co-director of the African & African American Studies Minor. Dr. Burton further examined the common themes of oppression and struggle found throughout the performance.
On Wednesday, June 24, 2020, hosted a virtual financial workshop with ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ alumnae Erika Abrams (GRS '08, '09, public health), Principal & Agency Manager, Legacy42 Insurance & Financial and Alicia Graves (CWR '05), Attorney, Law Offices of Alicia N. Graves.
The workshop focused on giving you the proper estate planning, tax and credit tools necessary to make sure you and your family are taken care of in the event of a health or employment crisis.