A Message from the President
THIS OCTOBER, I was privileged to deliver my first State of the University remarks to a standing-room-only audience of trustees, faculty, staff, students, alumni and community friends. It was a true pleasure to highlight all of the amazing successes we shared over the past year and highlight the innovative activities that are happening all over campus in support of our new strategic priorities.
This issue of Cleveland State illustrates our growing evolution as a nationally recognized urban university both through a number of recent achievements as well as the ongoing success of our tremendous alumni. You will read about a transformative gift establishing the Parker Hannifin Living and Learning Community for CSU students in the Say Yes to Education program, the creation of a new Center for Property Management and a major expansion of our Lift Up Vikes! food pantry and resource center.
Extraordinary graduates also are featured, from a car mechanic-turned-physician to “foodies” who are impacting the local hospitality scene to our 2019 Distinguished Alumni.
I was also happy to meet so many of you at our Homecoming festivities, particularly our reunion brunch for 1969 graduates and our first-ever Viking Harvest picnic. On a sunny Saturday afternoon, hundreds of alumni families returned to campus for games, food, face-painting, hay rides and more. It was a wonderful event and I so enjoyed sharing in your CSU memories.
Our alumni — 140,000 strong — are the foundation upon which CSU has evolved into a nationally recognized urban research institution. Let’s continue to take CSU and our students Forward Together.
Harlan M. Sands, J.D., M.B.A.
President, Cleveland State University
Also in This Issue...
Addressing Food Insecurities Among Students
According to the College & University Food Bank Alliance, 36 percent of college students experience food insecurity while nine percent are homeless.
Making Food Safer
In a chemical engineering laboratory in the heart of Fenn Hall, a team of mathematics and engineering students and faculty begin an expirement that could enhance food safety.
Alumna Finds Success as Chef, Restaurateur
From Ukrainian immigrant to celebrated chef, Natasha Pogrebinsky (BA ’05) turned passion into purpose — opening acclaimed restaurants and sharing her heritage through food and national TV features.
Making Great Kraut
Drew Anderson (BBA ’09) turned his love for homemade sauerkraut into Cleveland Kraut, sold in 3,500+ stores with inventive flavors and national acclaim — proving fermentation can be bold and local.
Community Roots
Sam McNulty (BA ’97) launched his hospitality career at CSU and now runs top Ohio City bars and Market Garden Brewery. He’s also redeveloping Duck Island, connecting Cleveland neighborhoods.
Global Agriculture Grows the World
Charlotte Sine graduated from Fenn College in 1958 with a bachelor’s degree in English. That degree served her well during a 46-year career in various editorial positions at Meister Media Worldwide.
Love Letter to Cleveland
A 58‑ft mural by Gary and Laura Dumm now graces CSU’s Michael Schwartz Library, celebrating local landmarks and history, funded by community and tied to Cleveland Memory Project.
CSU Among Nation’s Best
Cleveland State has once again been selected by The Wall Street Journal as one of the best universities in the United States.
C|M|LAW Hall of Fame
The Cleveland-Marshall Law Hall of Fame was established in 2017 to honor alumni, faculty, staff, friends and community leaders who have contributed to the success and prestige of the law school.
Increasing Degree Attainment
CSU is part of a statewide partnership, led by College Now Greater Cleveland, selected to join Degrees When Due. This national initiative seeks to assist students who have some college credits to complete their degrees.
Sands Shares Plans for Year Two
Seven new initiatives, including a Forward Together Innovation Challenge, were announced as part of President Harlan Sands’ first State of the University address.
New Leaders Join Team CSU
Three highly regarded, results-driven individuals have joined the University’s leadership team.
LCC Joins Enhanced Transfer Partnership
Cleveland State University has created a series of innovative partnerships with local community colleges which are designed to create a comprehensive, assistive pathway for students to make the easy transition to Cleveland State.
Parker Hannifin Students Live and Learn
In early 2019, Cleveland became the fourth Say Yes to Education chapter in the nation, thereby making college free for virtually all Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) graduates.
Pooling Their Knowledge
CSU partnered with the Seven Hills Recreation Center to improve sensory processing and socialization for children with special needs through a pediatric aquatic therapy program.
Distinguished Faculty and Staff Awards
CSU’s faculty and staff are second to none! Each year, Distinguished Faculty and Staff Awards honor individuals who bring distinction to the University and support student success through their day-to-day efforts.
Research Highlights
CSU researchers tackle big challenges —f rom AI-driven fertility analysis and trauma-informed youth programs to brain aneurysm prevention using nanoparticles — fueling innovation across disciplines.
Leave a Legacy with Estate Plan
Alumna Virginia McFrederick loved libraries. And because she included CSU in her estate plan, the Michael Schwartz Library is now home to the Virginia McFrederick Group Study Center.
Getting Real About Property Management
Cleveland State University will expand innovative education, research and experiential learning in real estate and property management, thanks to a transformative $1.2 million gift from the NRP Group and the Millennia Companies.
Creating Community Through the Arts
Gina Vernaci had spent nearly four decades as a theater manager and administrator and was in the middle of a highly successful tenure at Cleveland’s Playhouse Square when a lunchtime walk changed her educational and professional path.
Distinguished Alumni Awards
CSU is Viking Strong with a worldwide network of 130,000-plus alumni. Each year, a select group who bring distinction to the University through their career achievements, service and engagement are honored with Distinguished Alumni Awards.
From Fixing Cars to Fixing Bodies
Alumnus sees medicine as a vehicle for improving the community
Alumni Adventures
From behind-the-scenes visits to well-known (and little-known) Cleveland sites to world tours, the CSU Alumni Association’s calendar of events has something for everyone.
Homecoming Memories
A people-powered parade, golden apples, a harvest picnic, reunions, dedications, awards . . . Homecoming 2019 was packed with activities that brought alumni and their families back to campus.
Class Notes – Winter 2020
Addressing Food Insecurities Among Students
According to the College & University Food Bank Alliance, 36 percent of college students experience food insecurity while nine percent are homeless.
Alumna Finds Success as Chef, Restaurateur
From Ukrainian immigrant to celebrated chef, Natasha Pogrebinsky (BA ’05) turned passion into purpose — opening acclaimed restaurants and sharing her heritage through food and national TV features.
Community Roots
Sam McNulty (BA ’97) launched his hospitality career at CSU and now runs top Ohio City bars and Market Garden Brewery. He’s also redeveloping Duck Island, connecting Cleveland neighborhoods.
Love Letter to Cleveland
A 58‑ft mural by Gary and Laura Dumm now graces CSU’s Michael Schwartz Library, celebrating local landmarks and history, funded by community and tied to Cleveland Memory Project.
C|M|LAW Hall of Fame
The Cleveland-Marshall Law Hall of Fame was established in 2017 to honor alumni, faculty, staff, friends and community leaders who have contributed to the success and prestige of the law school.
Sands Shares Plans for Year Two
Seven new initiatives, including a Forward Together Innovation Challenge, were announced as part of President Harlan Sands’ first State of the University address.
LCC Joins Enhanced Transfer Partnership
Cleveland State University has created a series of innovative partnerships with local community colleges which are designed to create a comprehensive, assistive pathway for students to make the easy transition to Cleveland State.
Pooling Their Knowledge
CSU partnered with the Seven Hills Recreation Center to improve sensory processing and socialization for children with special needs through a pediatric aquatic therapy program.
Research Highlights
CSU researchers tackle big challenges —f rom AI-driven fertility analysis and trauma-informed youth programs to brain aneurysm prevention using nanoparticles — fueling innovation across disciplines.
Getting Real About Property Management
Cleveland State University will expand innovative education, research and experiential learning in real estate and property management, thanks to a transformative $1.2 million gift from the NRP Group and the Millennia Companies.
Distinguished Alumni Awards
CSU is Viking Strong with a worldwide network of 130,000-plus alumni. Each year, a select group who bring distinction to the University through their career achievements, service and engagement are honored with Distinguished Alumni Awards.
Alumni Adventures
From behind-the-scenes visits to well-known (and little-known) Cleveland sites to world tours, the CSU Alumni Association’s calendar of events has something for everyone.
Class Notes – Winter 2020
Making Food Safer
In a chemical engineering laboratory in the heart of Fenn Hall, a team of mathematics and engineering students and faculty begin an expirement that could enhance food safety.
Making Great Kraut
Drew Anderson (BBA ’09) turned his love for homemade sauerkraut into Cleveland Kraut, sold in 3,500+ stores with inventive flavors and national acclaim — proving fermentation can be bold and local.
Global Agriculture Grows the World
Charlotte Sine graduated from Fenn College in 1958 with a bachelor’s degree in English. That degree served her well during a 46-year career in various editorial positions at Meister Media Worldwide.
CSU Among Nation’s Best
Cleveland State has once again been selected by The Wall Street Journal as one of the best universities in the United States.
Increasing Degree Attainment
CSU is part of a statewide partnership, led by College Now Greater Cleveland, selected to join Degrees When Due. This national initiative seeks to assist students who have some college credits to complete their degrees.
New Leaders Join Team CSU
Three highly regarded, results-driven individuals have joined the University’s leadership team.
Parker Hannifin Students Live and Learn
In early 2019, Cleveland became the fourth Say Yes to Education chapter in the nation, thereby making college free for virtually all Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) graduates.
Distinguished Faculty and Staff Awards
CSU’s faculty and staff are second to none! Each year, Distinguished Faculty and Staff Awards honor individuals who bring distinction to the University and support student success through their day-to-day efforts.
Leave a Legacy with Estate Plan
Alumna Virginia McFrederick loved libraries. And because she included CSU in her estate plan, the Michael Schwartz Library is now home to the Virginia McFrederick Group Study Center.
Creating Community Through the Arts
Gina Vernaci had spent nearly four decades as a theater manager and administrator and was in the middle of a highly successful tenure at Cleveland’s Playhouse Square when a lunchtime walk changed her educational and professional path.
From Fixing Cars to Fixing Bodies
Alumnus sees medicine as a vehicle for improving the community
Homecoming Memories
A people-powered parade, golden apples, a harvest picnic, reunions, dedications, awards . . . Homecoming 2019 was packed with activities that brought alumni and their families back to campus.
Addressing Food Insecurities Among Students
According to the College & University Food Bank Alliance, 36 percent of college students experience food insecurity while nine percent are homeless.
Making Great Kraut
Drew Anderson (BBA ’09) turned his love for homemade sauerkraut into Cleveland Kraut, sold in 3,500+ stores with inventive flavors and national acclaim — proving fermentation can be bold and local.
Love Letter to Cleveland
A 58‑ft mural by Gary and Laura Dumm now graces CSU’s Michael Schwartz Library, celebrating local landmarks and history, funded by community and tied to Cleveland Memory Project.
Increasing Degree Attainment
CSU is part of a statewide partnership, led by College Now Greater Cleveland, selected to join Degrees When Due. This national initiative seeks to assist students who have some college credits to complete their degrees.
LCC Joins Enhanced Transfer Partnership
Cleveland State University has created a series of innovative partnerships with local community colleges which are designed to create a comprehensive, assistive pathway for students to make the easy transition to Cleveland State.
Distinguished Faculty and Staff Awards
CSU’s faculty and staff are second to none! Each year, Distinguished Faculty and Staff Awards honor individuals who bring distinction to the University and support student success through their day-to-day efforts.
Getting Real About Property Management
Cleveland State University will expand innovative education, research and experiential learning in real estate and property management, thanks to a transformative $1.2 million gift from the NRP Group and the Millennia Companies.
From Fixing Cars to Fixing Bodies
Alumnus sees medicine as a vehicle for improving the community
Class Notes – Winter 2020
Making Food Safer
In a chemical engineering laboratory in the heart of Fenn Hall, a team of mathematics and engineering students and faculty begin an expirement that could enhance food safety.
Community Roots
Sam McNulty (BA ’97) launched his hospitality career at CSU and now runs top Ohio City bars and Market Garden Brewery. He’s also redeveloping Duck Island, connecting Cleveland neighborhoods.
CSU Among Nation’s Best
Cleveland State has once again been selected by The Wall Street Journal as one of the best universities in the United States.
Sands Shares Plans for Year Two
Seven new initiatives, including a Forward Together Innovation Challenge, were announced as part of President Harlan Sands’ first State of the University address.
Parker Hannifin Students Live and Learn
In early 2019, Cleveland became the fourth Say Yes to Education chapter in the nation, thereby making college free for virtually all Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) graduates.
Research Highlights
CSU researchers tackle big challenges —f rom AI-driven fertility analysis and trauma-informed youth programs to brain aneurysm prevention using nanoparticles — fueling innovation across disciplines.
Creating Community Through the Arts
Gina Vernaci had spent nearly four decades as a theater manager and administrator and was in the middle of a highly successful tenure at Cleveland’s Playhouse Square when a lunchtime walk changed her educational and professional path.
Alumni Adventures
From behind-the-scenes visits to well-known (and little-known) Cleveland sites to world tours, the CSU Alumni Association’s calendar of events has something for everyone.
Alumna Finds Success as Chef, Restaurateur
From Ukrainian immigrant to celebrated chef, Natasha Pogrebinsky (BA ’05) turned passion into purpose — opening acclaimed restaurants and sharing her heritage through food and national TV features.
Global Agriculture Grows the World
Charlotte Sine graduated from Fenn College in 1958 with a bachelor’s degree in English. That degree served her well during a 46-year career in various editorial positions at Meister Media Worldwide.
C|M|LAW Hall of Fame
The Cleveland-Marshall Law Hall of Fame was established in 2017 to honor alumni, faculty, staff, friends and community leaders who have contributed to the success and prestige of the law school.
New Leaders Join Team CSU
Three highly regarded, results-driven individuals have joined the University’s leadership team.
Pooling Their Knowledge
CSU partnered with the Seven Hills Recreation Center to improve sensory processing and socialization for children with special needs through a pediatric aquatic therapy program.
Leave a Legacy with Estate Plan
Alumna Virginia McFrederick loved libraries. And because she included CSU in her estate plan, the Michael Schwartz Library is now home to the Virginia McFrederick Group Study Center.
Distinguished Alumni Awards
CSU is Viking Strong with a worldwide network of 130,000-plus alumni. Each year, a select group who bring distinction to the University through their career achievements, service and engagement are honored with Distinguished Alumni Awards.
Homecoming Memories
A people-powered parade, golden apples, a harvest picnic, reunions, dedications, awards . . . Homecoming 2019 was packed with activities that brought alumni and their families back to campus.