A Message from the President
Just days remain until June 1, when I will retire as president of Cleveland State University and my successor, Harlan Sands, will begin his tenure. Reflecting on the past nine years, I am so proud of all that we have achieved — together. There is a tremendous “sense of place” surrounding CSU. The community, alumni and donors believe in CSU and are incredibly engaged. This embrace has helped Cleveland State become one of the nation’s top universities.
When I came to CSU in 2009, I saw a university with the potential to reinvent higher education. Today, we’re doing just that. We’ve established new programs, including the Partnership for Urban Health that is training primary care doctors to serve urban areas, and a School of Film & Media Arts to meet the growing demand for professionals in this burgeoning industry. We’ve built incredible new facilities, including the Center for Innovation in Medical Professions and Donald Washkewicz Hall, our new engineering building.
More than 250 partnerships are flourishing. With Parker Hannifin, our faculty researchers are making life-changing advances in human motion and control. With the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, we’ve created an Education Park that includes Campus International School and MC2STEM High School on our campus. These collaborations, and so many others, are making Greater Cleveland even greater.
Perhaps most importantly, bright, talented students are selecting CSU as their school of choice. Our nationally acclaimed student success initiatives and increased private support for scholarships are helping them stay on track to graduation. This year, our December and May commencement ceremonies produced the largest graduating class ever — with nearly 4,000 students earning undergraduate or graduate degrees.
Our graduates are CSU’s greatest success story and the engine for this area’s future growth. With their degrees they are telling future employers that they are well-educated, hard-working, high-achieving individuals who are ready to roll up their sleeves, dig in and do what is needed to be successful on day one.
As I retire, I am experiencing an incredible array of emotions — the greatest of which is gratitude. More than anything, I will miss our students and the soul and commitment they display every day. To have had a role in their success and in taking the University to where it is today has been the privilege of a lifetime.
Thank you for helping to make CSU the great university that it is and for helping our students succeed. And thank you for making my presidency the pinnacle of my career. I will forever be grateful for the privilege of serving as president. And I will forever be a proud Viking.
Ronald M. Berkman
President
Also in This Issue...
Legacy of Leadership
President Ronald M. Berkman spearheaded tuition savings, campus expansion, new labs, research growth, record fundraising, and powerful partnerships — solidifying CSU's impact and student success vision.
Gateway to Engineering
CSU’s spectacular new northern gateway to campus, Donald E. Washkewicz Hall, provides enhanced educational and research opportunities for engineering students and faculty.
Ready to Lead
Harlan M. Sands, vice dean and chief financial officer of The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, has been selected as the seventh president of Cleveland State University following a national search.
50 Years and Still Going Strong
Andrew Gross, professor of marketing and international business, has been a CSU faculty member since 1968. As he prepares to retire in June, he shares some reflections on his career.
Graduate Programs Among Nation’s Best
U.S. News & World Report’s 2019 Best Graduate Schools guide features more than a dozen CSU programs, highlighting the University’s continued national rise.
Athletics
Four new members have been inducted into the CSU Athletics Hall of Fame — Sarah Galon, Christine Kohler Myeroff, Kristen Obush and Jake Scott.
The Internet of Things Collaborative
The Internet of Things (IoT) Collaborative between CSU and Case Western Reserve University has moved from planning to full launch with $1.75 million in funding from the Cleveland Foundation.
Law Explores New Frontiers
Cleveland-Marshall College of Law has launched several groundbreaking initiatives, including a Space Law Center and a Cybersecurity Center that takes a rare multidisciplinary approach integrating law, technology and business management.
Festival Filled with AHA! Moments
Books, theater, music, art, dance and ideas will again be celebrated during the Arts and Humanities Alive! (AHA!) Festival sponsored by CSU and Playhouse Square.
Personal Growth Through Service Learning
Since 2007, Viking Expeditions (VE) has been helping CSU graduate and undergraduate students broaden their worldview through local, national and international service opportunities.
Faculty Highlights
CSU faculty across arts, sciences, engineering, education, and health are advancing research, teaching innovation, and community engagement — driving excellence across dozens of departments.
Partners in Scientific Progress
For close to a half-century, Cleveland State University and Cleveland Clinic’s Lerner Research Institute have partnered to enhance medical and science education while helping to advance discovery in numerous disciplines. The Joint Doctoral Program Pa
Scholarships Make Dreams Come True
CSU’s annual Scholarship Luncheon brought together more than 400 individuals who have made personal gifts, as well as representatives of businesses and organizations that have supported scholarships, and the grateful students who received them.
Embrace Your Voice
Enlightened, entertained, informed, inspired and empowered. That’s how 300-plus participants felt following CSU’s fourth-annual Women’s Leadership Symposium, “Embrace Your Voice.”
Summit Advances Alumni Engagement
More than 100 representatives of some 40 organizations shared best practices, ideas and professional perspectives at the first-ever Northeast Ohio Summit on Alumni Engagement.
CSU on the Road
Passport Cleveland alumni tours in Northeast Ohio, plus engaging CSU2U events and alumni meet‑ups in FL, AZ — connecting Vikings through travel, learning, and connection.
CSU Salutes Outstanding Alumni
Graduates who are impacting their communities, the world and Cleveland State University in unique and creative ways were honored at the second-annual Alumni Recognition Awards. The event also saluted CSU’s third class of Fascinating Alumni.
Share the Love Month!
The Summer of 1967 was known as the Summer of Love. But at CSU, February 2018 was Share the Love month with special events to bring Vikings together. We’ll be sharing the love again next February!
Class Notes – Summer 2018
Legacy of Leadership
President Ronald M. Berkman spearheaded tuition savings, campus expansion, new labs, research growth, record fundraising, and powerful partnerships — solidifying CSU's impact and student success vision.
Ready to Lead
Harlan M. Sands, vice dean and chief financial officer of The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, has been selected as the seventh president of Cleveland State University following a national search.
Graduate Programs Among Nation’s Best
U.S. News & World Report’s 2019 Best Graduate Schools guide features more than a dozen CSU programs, highlighting the University’s continued national rise.
The Internet of Things Collaborative
The Internet of Things (IoT) Collaborative between CSU and Case Western Reserve University has moved from planning to full launch with $1.75 million in funding from the Cleveland Foundation.
Festival Filled with AHA! Moments
Books, theater, music, art, dance and ideas will again be celebrated during the Arts and Humanities Alive! (AHA!) Festival sponsored by CSU and Playhouse Square.
Faculty Highlights
CSU faculty across arts, sciences, engineering, education, and health are advancing research, teaching innovation, and community engagement — driving excellence across dozens of departments.
Scholarships Make Dreams Come True
CSU’s annual Scholarship Luncheon brought together more than 400 individuals who have made personal gifts, as well as representatives of businesses and organizations that have supported scholarships, and the grateful students who received them.
Summit Advances Alumni Engagement
More than 100 representatives of some 40 organizations shared best practices, ideas and professional perspectives at the first-ever Northeast Ohio Summit on Alumni Engagement.
CSU Salutes Outstanding Alumni
Graduates who are impacting their communities, the world and Cleveland State University in unique and creative ways were honored at the second-annual Alumni Recognition Awards. The event also saluted CSU’s third class of Fascinating Alumni.
Class Notes – Summer 2018
Gateway to Engineering
CSU’s spectacular new northern gateway to campus, Donald E. Washkewicz Hall, provides enhanced educational and research opportunities for engineering students and faculty.
50 Years and Still Going Strong
Andrew Gross, professor of marketing and international business, has been a CSU faculty member since 1968. As he prepares to retire in June, he shares some reflections on his career.
Athletics
Four new members have been inducted into the CSU Athletics Hall of Fame — Sarah Galon, Christine Kohler Myeroff, Kristen Obush and Jake Scott.
Law Explores New Frontiers
Cleveland-Marshall College of Law has launched several groundbreaking initiatives, including a Space Law Center and a Cybersecurity Center that takes a rare multidisciplinary approach integrating law, technology and business management.
Personal Growth Through Service Learning
Since 2007, Viking Expeditions (VE) has been helping CSU graduate and undergraduate students broaden their worldview through local, national and international service opportunities.
Partners in Scientific Progress
For close to a half-century, Cleveland State University and Cleveland Clinic’s Lerner Research Institute have partnered to enhance medical and science education while helping to advance discovery in numerous disciplines. The Joint Doctoral Program Pa
Embrace Your Voice
Enlightened, entertained, informed, inspired and empowered. That’s how 300-plus participants felt following CSU’s fourth-annual Women’s Leadership Symposium, “Embrace Your Voice.”
CSU on the Road
Passport Cleveland alumni tours in Northeast Ohio, plus engaging CSU2U events and alumni meet‑ups in FL, AZ — connecting Vikings through travel, learning, and connection.
Share the Love Month!
The Summer of 1967 was known as the Summer of Love. But at CSU, February 2018 was Share the Love month with special events to bring Vikings together. We’ll be sharing the love again next February!
Legacy of Leadership
President Ronald M. Berkman spearheaded tuition savings, campus expansion, new labs, research growth, record fundraising, and powerful partnerships — solidifying CSU's impact and student success vision.
50 Years and Still Going Strong
Andrew Gross, professor of marketing and international business, has been a CSU faculty member since 1968. As he prepares to retire in June, he shares some reflections on his career.
The Internet of Things Collaborative
The Internet of Things (IoT) Collaborative between CSU and Case Western Reserve University has moved from planning to full launch with $1.75 million in funding from the Cleveland Foundation.
Personal Growth Through Service Learning
Since 2007, Viking Expeditions (VE) has been helping CSU graduate and undergraduate students broaden their worldview through local, national and international service opportunities.
Scholarships Make Dreams Come True
CSU’s annual Scholarship Luncheon brought together more than 400 individuals who have made personal gifts, as well as representatives of businesses and organizations that have supported scholarships, and the grateful students who received them.
CSU on the Road
Passport Cleveland alumni tours in Northeast Ohio, plus engaging CSU2U events and alumni meet‑ups in FL, AZ — connecting Vikings through travel, learning, and connection.
Class Notes – Summer 2018
Gateway to Engineering
CSU’s spectacular new northern gateway to campus, Donald E. Washkewicz Hall, provides enhanced educational and research opportunities for engineering students and faculty.
Graduate Programs Among Nation’s Best
U.S. News & World Report’s 2019 Best Graduate Schools guide features more than a dozen CSU programs, highlighting the University’s continued national rise.
Law Explores New Frontiers
Cleveland-Marshall College of Law has launched several groundbreaking initiatives, including a Space Law Center and a Cybersecurity Center that takes a rare multidisciplinary approach integrating law, technology and business management.
Faculty Highlights
CSU faculty across arts, sciences, engineering, education, and health are advancing research, teaching innovation, and community engagement — driving excellence across dozens of departments.
Embrace Your Voice
Enlightened, entertained, informed, inspired and empowered. That’s how 300-plus participants felt following CSU’s fourth-annual Women’s Leadership Symposium, “Embrace Your Voice.”
CSU Salutes Outstanding Alumni
Graduates who are impacting their communities, the world and Cleveland State University in unique and creative ways were honored at the second-annual Alumni Recognition Awards. The event also saluted CSU’s third class of Fascinating Alumni.
Ready to Lead
Harlan M. Sands, vice dean and chief financial officer of The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, has been selected as the seventh president of Cleveland State University following a national search.
Athletics
Four new members have been inducted into the CSU Athletics Hall of Fame — Sarah Galon, Christine Kohler Myeroff, Kristen Obush and Jake Scott.
Festival Filled with AHA! Moments
Books, theater, music, art, dance and ideas will again be celebrated during the Arts and Humanities Alive! (AHA!) Festival sponsored by CSU and Playhouse Square.
Partners in Scientific Progress
For close to a half-century, Cleveland State University and Cleveland Clinic’s Lerner Research Institute have partnered to enhance medical and science education while helping to advance discovery in numerous disciplines. The Joint Doctoral Program Pa
Summit Advances Alumni Engagement
More than 100 representatives of some 40 organizations shared best practices, ideas and professional perspectives at the first-ever Northeast Ohio Summit on Alumni Engagement.
Share the Love Month!
The Summer of 1967 was known as the Summer of Love. But at CSU, February 2018 was Share the Love month with special events to bring Vikings together. We’ll be sharing the love again next February!