Waves of Inspiration
“I was born with one skill, writing,” says Mark Lantz, BA ’87 and MACTM ’90.
Some might call that an understatement.
Lantz’s deft skills were honed at CSU and have been expressed over a 30-plus-year creative career, culminating with the founding of his own ad firm, Factory Detroit Inc. in Royal Oak, Mich.
Many of his clients and projects have involved promoting the public good. Take, for example, the Pure Michigan campaign. Lantz was deeply involved in the creation and management of the award-winning campaign to promote tourism and travel. Wildly successful, it has sparked a measurable increase in revenues for Michigan and renewed excitement about Lakes Michigan, Superior and Huron.
While Lantz jokes that “nature and I have a pact” of mutual regard and distance, he firmly grasps the appeal of nature and working with a team to get precise words, uplifting music, cascading images, and expressive voiceover – in this case, the unmistakable voice of actor/comedian Tim Allen.
Lantz credits a diverse agency team of more than 30 people for Pure Michigan’s success, particularly the word choices of Dave Moore, who wrote the first year’s scripts. Neither Lantz nor Moore were initially from Michigan and neither were “outdoorsmen,” as Lantz puts it. Yet, the Pure Michigan campaign embodied a universal yearning for relief from the mundane plus a “redemptive sense of purification and cleansing.”
Lantz, a Euclid, Ohio native, grew up just south of Lake Shore Boulevard, not far from Lake Erie. He and his friends would bicycle to Sims Park.
His grasp of words was honed as a CSU English major, studying diverse writers through the ages and serving as editor-in-chief of the student newspaper, The Cauldron. Earning a master’s in applied communication theory and methodology, he found new ways of knowing, including statistics, and the blend has served him well.
“In school you learn the skills, the tricks of the trade,” he says. “The way you live is by banging out copy.”
Inspiration, like water, can flow anywhere. Lantz aims to craft great stories, including a few of CSU’s own. His firm has helped the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences develop The Story of Us – a campaign to share the wide realm of disciplines and study within the College. The Story of Us includes three social media videos highlighting CLASS’ innovative work in social work, criminology and digital humanities. There also are email blasts, social media posts, a web page and a poster.
A member of the CLASS Visiting Committee, Lantz speaks with genuine admiration of current faculty and has not forgotten his professors.
“What college gives you is a lot of role models, hundreds of different voices and ways to tell stories,” he says. Among those who inspired him were English professors David Richardson, Glending Olson, Phillips Salman, Daniel Melnick and Gary Engle, who was also Cauldron adviser. And from communications, Gary Pettey and Donna Rouner.
Perhaps because his MACTM degree was a conversation-starter when he submitted resumes over the years, Lantz has established a scholarship for graduate students in the Master of Applied Communication Theory and Methodology program.
Lantz has a penchant for writing radio ads and offers a comparison between a radio spot and a sonnet. “There are rules for both,” he says. “A sonnet has 14 lines; a radio spot runs 30 or 60 seconds. Each phrase must resonate.” Lantz reads aloud as he composes radio spots, capturing a cadence, and it’s not hard to imagine a sonnet writer doing the same.
What else would a master story-teller do?
Alumna Maria Shine Stewart, BA ’81, is a writer and licensed professional counselor in Cleveland.
Also in This Issue...
Pillars of Success
“Forward Together” has been the focus of President Harlan Sands’ first year at Cleveland State University. Now, in that spirit, the University is charting a bright future by focusing its resources on seven key priorities, or pillars.
Pathway to College
CSU partners with CMSD, Tri-C, and LCCC to expand college access through initiatives like Say Yes, Degree Link, and UP Express, offering scholarships, dual admission, and wraparound support.
Parker-Hannifin Living and Learning Community Promotes Academic Success
Helping students succeed through Say Yes to Education is the Parker Hannifin Corporation, a longtime partner of CSU.
Cleveland State Global Targets International Students
CSU is the only public university in Ohio to partner with Boston-based Shorelight Education. This new collaboration will connect international students seeking an American education with CSU and provide job opportunities after graduation.
Career Empowerment
With a Viking network of more than 126,000 alumni, CSU graduates provide the brainpower and personpower for successful careers in Northeast Ohio, the nation and the world.
A Message from the President
President Sands celebrates first-year milestones: new partnerships, Say Yes scholarships, strategic priorities, and a focus on student success to strengthen Northeast Ohio’s future.
Cleveland-Marshall College of Law
Cleveland attorney and business leader P. Kelly Tompkins has made a $750,000 gift to his alma mater, Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, to establish a substantive leadership education program for law students.
Athletics Hall of Fame
Three star student-athletes comprise the 41st class of the CSU Athletics Hall of Fame. Congratulations to J’Nathan Bullock, BA ’09, men’s basketball, Kailey Klein, BBA ’10, women’s basketball and Phil Orno, BA ’10, men’s tennis.
Around Campus
The Cleveland Foundation has awarded a $2.2 million, one-year grant to the Internet of Things Collaborative (IoTC), a partnership between Case Western Reserve University and CSU
App Aids Drug Treatment
A team of CSU faculty and students has developed a new web application that will improve access to drug treatment services, reduce wait times and better ensure that individuals get the help they need.
Making Magic
A tin can, three cups, four balls, some string, a deck of cards and, of course, a magic wand. That’s all it took to get Elie Haoui hooked.
A Tip of the Viking Helmet
After an intensive national search, CSU selected Scott Garrett as its seventh director of athletics, providing leadership and oversight for 18 NCAA Division I sports.
A Crooked River Conversation
Northeast Ohio marks the 50th anniversary of the Cuyahoga River igniting. Cleveland State, with its prime location near the river and Lake Erie, is joining in the celebration.
Preventing Leaks
Water leaks… burst pipes… they can be an expensive problem for homeowners and municipalities alike. But researchers at Cleveland State University and Case Western Reserve University are helping the city of Lakewood stop leaks before they happen.
When Environmental Laws Conflict
To protect the interests of residents, businesses and the environment, should the requirements of a local environmental ordinance take precedence over state laws supporting natural resources business development?
Alum Restores Mentor Marsh
Imagine seven years of grueling work depending on one day of ideal Northeast Ohio weather. CSU alumnus David Kriska doesn’t have to imagine. He lived it.
Engineers without Borders
Student Shaun Clark received hands-on engineering experience when he traveled to the western end of Panama to study a community’s water needs.
“Doomsday Glacier” in Antartica
Mekki Bayachou was teaching his students about the physical chemistry of global warming when a National Public Radio story gave him a crazy idea.
Combatting Disease Through Gene Research
With a grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), CSU is investigating the effect of a key enzyme on plaque build-up, which could be central to developing effective genetic therapies for addressing Atherosclerosis.
A Lab Made for Dreamers, Makers and Doers
Entrepreneurs and startups have a new home in the Weston Ideation Lab, a space designed around the unique needs of venture development.
Giving Day Sets Records!
Thanks to everyone who helped make CSU’s sixth-annual Giving Day another record-breaking success! Nearly 2,000 donors made gifts totaling $305,000 in a 24-hour period — shattering last year’s $269,000 total.
Radiance – CSU Realizing the Promise
Surpassing $2 million for the first time, a record $2,080,510 was raised by Radiance 2019!
Roadtrip
The CSU Alumni Association has been on the road, engaging with graduates near and far. All trips featured CSU “Then and Now” presentations, receptions that drew large and enthusiastic audiences, and a very special guest – President Harlan Sands.
Class Notes – Summer 2019
Pillars of Success
“Forward Together” has been the focus of President Harlan Sands’ first year at Cleveland State University. Now, in that spirit, the University is charting a bright future by focusing its resources on seven key priorities, or pillars.
Parker-Hannifin Living and Learning Community Promotes Academic Success
Helping students succeed through Say Yes to Education is the Parker Hannifin Corporation, a longtime partner of CSU.
Career Empowerment
With a Viking network of more than 126,000 alumni, CSU graduates provide the brainpower and personpower for successful careers in Northeast Ohio, the nation and the world.
Cleveland-Marshall College of Law
Cleveland attorney and business leader P. Kelly Tompkins has made a $750,000 gift to his alma mater, Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, to establish a substantive leadership education program for law students.
Around Campus
The Cleveland Foundation has awarded a $2.2 million, one-year grant to the Internet of Things Collaborative (IoTC), a partnership between Case Western Reserve University and CSU
Making Magic
A tin can, three cups, four balls, some string, a deck of cards and, of course, a magic wand. That’s all it took to get Elie Haoui hooked.
A Crooked River Conversation
Northeast Ohio marks the 50th anniversary of the Cuyahoga River igniting. Cleveland State, with its prime location near the river and Lake Erie, is joining in the celebration.
When Environmental Laws Conflict
To protect the interests of residents, businesses and the environment, should the requirements of a local environmental ordinance take precedence over state laws supporting natural resources business development?
Engineers without Borders
Student Shaun Clark received hands-on engineering experience when he traveled to the western end of Panama to study a community’s water needs.
Combatting Disease Through Gene Research
With a grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), CSU is investigating the effect of a key enzyme on plaque build-up, which could be central to developing effective genetic therapies for addressing Atherosclerosis.
Giving Day Sets Records!
Thanks to everyone who helped make CSU’s sixth-annual Giving Day another record-breaking success! Nearly 2,000 donors made gifts totaling $305,000 in a 24-hour period — shattering last year’s $269,000 total.
Roadtrip
The CSU Alumni Association has been on the road, engaging with graduates near and far. All trips featured CSU “Then and Now” presentations, receptions that drew large and enthusiastic audiences, and a very special guest – President Harlan Sands.
Pathway to College
CSU partners with CMSD, Tri-C, and LCCC to expand college access through initiatives like Say Yes, Degree Link, and UP Express, offering scholarships, dual admission, and wraparound support.
Cleveland State Global Targets International Students
CSU is the only public university in Ohio to partner with Boston-based Shorelight Education. This new collaboration will connect international students seeking an American education with CSU and provide job opportunities after graduation.
A Message from the President
President Sands celebrates first-year milestones: new partnerships, Say Yes scholarships, strategic priorities, and a focus on student success to strengthen Northeast Ohio’s future.
Athletics Hall of Fame
Three star student-athletes comprise the 41st class of the CSU Athletics Hall of Fame. Congratulations to J’Nathan Bullock, BA ’09, men’s basketball, Kailey Klein, BBA ’10, women’s basketball and Phil Orno, BA ’10, men’s tennis.
App Aids Drug Treatment
A team of CSU faculty and students has developed a new web application that will improve access to drug treatment services, reduce wait times and better ensure that individuals get the help they need.
A Tip of the Viking Helmet
After an intensive national search, CSU selected Scott Garrett as its seventh director of athletics, providing leadership and oversight for 18 NCAA Division I sports.
Preventing Leaks
Water leaks… burst pipes… they can be an expensive problem for homeowners and municipalities alike. But researchers at Cleveland State University and Case Western Reserve University are helping the city of Lakewood stop leaks before they happen.
Alum Restores Mentor Marsh
Imagine seven years of grueling work depending on one day of ideal Northeast Ohio weather. CSU alumnus David Kriska doesn’t have to imagine. He lived it.
“Doomsday Glacier” in Antartica
Mekki Bayachou was teaching his students about the physical chemistry of global warming when a National Public Radio story gave him a crazy idea.
A Lab Made for Dreamers, Makers and Doers
Entrepreneurs and startups have a new home in the Weston Ideation Lab, a space designed around the unique needs of venture development.
Radiance – CSU Realizing the Promise
Surpassing $2 million for the first time, a record $2,080,510 was raised by Radiance 2019!
Class Notes – Summer 2019
Pillars of Success
“Forward Together” has been the focus of President Harlan Sands’ first year at Cleveland State University. Now, in that spirit, the University is charting a bright future by focusing its resources on seven key priorities, or pillars.
Cleveland State Global Targets International Students
CSU is the only public university in Ohio to partner with Boston-based Shorelight Education. This new collaboration will connect international students seeking an American education with CSU and provide job opportunities after graduation.
Cleveland-Marshall College of Law
Cleveland attorney and business leader P. Kelly Tompkins has made a $750,000 gift to his alma mater, Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, to establish a substantive leadership education program for law students.
App Aids Drug Treatment
A team of CSU faculty and students has developed a new web application that will improve access to drug treatment services, reduce wait times and better ensure that individuals get the help they need.
A Crooked River Conversation
Northeast Ohio marks the 50th anniversary of the Cuyahoga River igniting. Cleveland State, with its prime location near the river and Lake Erie, is joining in the celebration.
Alum Restores Mentor Marsh
Imagine seven years of grueling work depending on one day of ideal Northeast Ohio weather. CSU alumnus David Kriska doesn’t have to imagine. He lived it.
Combatting Disease Through Gene Research
With a grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), CSU is investigating the effect of a key enzyme on plaque build-up, which could be central to developing effective genetic therapies for addressing Atherosclerosis.
Radiance – CSU Realizing the Promise
Surpassing $2 million for the first time, a record $2,080,510 was raised by Radiance 2019!
Pathway to College
CSU partners with CMSD, Tri-C, and LCCC to expand college access through initiatives like Say Yes, Degree Link, and UP Express, offering scholarships, dual admission, and wraparound support.
Career Empowerment
With a Viking network of more than 126,000 alumni, CSU graduates provide the brainpower and personpower for successful careers in Northeast Ohio, the nation and the world.
Athletics Hall of Fame
Three star student-athletes comprise the 41st class of the CSU Athletics Hall of Fame. Congratulations to J’Nathan Bullock, BA ’09, men’s basketball, Kailey Klein, BBA ’10, women’s basketball and Phil Orno, BA ’10, men’s tennis.
Making Magic
A tin can, three cups, four balls, some string, a deck of cards and, of course, a magic wand. That’s all it took to get Elie Haoui hooked.
Preventing Leaks
Water leaks… burst pipes… they can be an expensive problem for homeowners and municipalities alike. But researchers at Cleveland State University and Case Western Reserve University are helping the city of Lakewood stop leaks before they happen.
Engineers without Borders
Student Shaun Clark received hands-on engineering experience when he traveled to the western end of Panama to study a community’s water needs.
A Lab Made for Dreamers, Makers and Doers
Entrepreneurs and startups have a new home in the Weston Ideation Lab, a space designed around the unique needs of venture development.
Roadtrip
The CSU Alumni Association has been on the road, engaging with graduates near and far. All trips featured CSU “Then and Now” presentations, receptions that drew large and enthusiastic audiences, and a very special guest – President Harlan Sands.
Parker-Hannifin Living and Learning Community Promotes Academic Success
Helping students succeed through Say Yes to Education is the Parker Hannifin Corporation, a longtime partner of CSU.
A Message from the President
President Sands celebrates first-year milestones: new partnerships, Say Yes scholarships, strategic priorities, and a focus on student success to strengthen Northeast Ohio’s future.
Around Campus
The Cleveland Foundation has awarded a $2.2 million, one-year grant to the Internet of Things Collaborative (IoTC), a partnership between Case Western Reserve University and CSU
A Tip of the Viking Helmet
After an intensive national search, CSU selected Scott Garrett as its seventh director of athletics, providing leadership and oversight for 18 NCAA Division I sports.
When Environmental Laws Conflict
To protect the interests of residents, businesses and the environment, should the requirements of a local environmental ordinance take precedence over state laws supporting natural resources business development?
“Doomsday Glacier” in Antartica
Mekki Bayachou was teaching his students about the physical chemistry of global warming when a National Public Radio story gave him a crazy idea.
Giving Day Sets Records!
Thanks to everyone who helped make CSU’s sixth-annual Giving Day another record-breaking success! Nearly 2,000 donors made gifts totaling $305,000 in a 24-hour period — shattering last year’s $269,000 total.