Class Notes – Winter 2021
1970s
Lloyd Trotter (BBA ’72, Hon DBA ’01) is founder and managing partner of GenNx360 Capital Partners.
Larry Bole (BSCE ’73) retired after 47 years in the music industry, having spent two years at WCSB/WCSU, six years in record retail, two years on-air at WMMS-FM, 28 years at Warner Bros. Records and 11 years at Concord Records.
Catherine Kenny (B.S.Ed ’76, M.Ed. ’00), director and professor of respiratory therapy at Lakeland Community College, led the college’s Respiratory Therapy Program to receive the Distinguished RRT Credentialing Success Award by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care.
Marc Bergsman (JD ’77) is an administrative trademark judge for the U.S. Trademark and Trial Appeal Board.
1980s
Cathy Pennington (BSW ‘82) was elected as president of the National Leased Housing Association. Pennington is senior vice president and general manager of Phipps Housing Services Inc. in New York City. She has a 30-year career dedicated to providing affordable housing to low-income households in cities including Cleveland, Chicago, Newark and New York City.
Karl Kovacs (MBA ’83) retired as the chief executive officer of Northern Lakes Community Mental Health in Michigan.
Glenn Coyne (BA ’84) joined Goodwyn Mills Cawood in Augusta, Georgia, as a senior planner.
Charles McConnell (MBA ‘84) is the executive director of Carbon Management and Energy Sustainability at the University of Houston.
Bryan Bickimer (BME ’85) was appointed as CEO of Stoneworks, a countertop fabricator headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Lori Caterini (BA ’85), a registered art therapist and licensed professional counselor, was honored for her commitment to the profession in the Racine County Eye, a publication based in Racine, Wisconsin.
Geoffrey Church (BA ’85) released Europa the Ocean Moon, a futuristic tale about how the former United States president executes his plan to build a presidential library on Europa, a recently discovered incredible ocean world hidden beneath the frozen surface of Jupiter’s mysterious moon.
Bill Haney (BA ‘86) has been promoted by Plastipak Packaging, Inc. to west coast regional sales manager based in Las Vegas, NV.
Leonard DiCosimo (BM ’87) was elected treasurer of the North Shore AFL-CIO Federation of Labor, serving in his sixth term as president of the Cleveland Federation of Musicians.
Cathy Stang (BBA ’87), a beloved teacher in South Euclid and Lyndhurst, Ohio, retired after 31 years.
Robert White (BA ’87, JD ’91) is a judge with the Elyria Municipal Court.
John Richard (M.Ed. ‘89) is the president of the Stark Education Partnership. He previously served as the Ohio deputy state superintendent.
1990s
Tammy Livers (BA ’92) is president of World Electric Supply, an electrical distributor that serves customers in Florida and Georgia.
Sam Burruano, Jr. (JD ‘93) was recently promoted to EVP, chief legal officer and corporate secretary for Five Star Bank where he oversees legal, governance, audit and HR functions and is responsible for developing and implementing ESG strategy.
Katherine Lammert (BA ’93) was promoted to trust officer at Western Reserve Trust Company.
Maryrose Sylvester (MBA ’93) joined the board of directors at Clarios, a world leader in advanced energy storage solutions.
Teresa Underwood (BBA ’93, MPA ’01, ’02) was appointed court administrator by the Pima County Consolidated Justice Court in Tucson, Arizona.
Ginger McGee (BA ’94) is author of He’s Not Broken: A Mother’s Journey to Acceptance. It is the story of how she learns her son Jake, diagnosed with severe Tourette’s at six, and severe OCD at eight, wasn’t broken and was exactly the child she needed in her life.
Michael Doud (BA ’94) was named executive director of the Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services Board of Lorain County.
Janice Holt (BS ’95) is national dean of VN/PN Programs at Unitek Learning, the parent company of several healthcare and nursing education institutions.
Terri Bradford Eason (MBA ’96) was named chair of the Notre Dame College Board of Trustees.
Kate Hubben (MA ’96) was named vice president at NFP Corporate Benefits.
Ramona Lowery (BCE ’96) is the commissioner for water pollution control for the City of Cleveland. She is only the second woman to hold the position.
Anusha Gibson (BA ’98, JD ’06) was appointed to the Akron Art Museum board of directors. Gibson is senior vice president and head of diverse growth segments for PNC Bank.
Dan Montenaro (JD ’98) is executive vice president and general counsel at Alorica, Inc., a global leader in customer experience solutions.
Roderick Ingram (BBA ’99, MBA ’02) was elected board chair of United Way of Portage County. Ingram is the vice president of communications and chief marketing officer for the Northeast Ohio Medical University.
Laura Redinger (MBA ’99) has been named principal at Investment Partners, LLC, a Cleveland-based private equity firm.
2000s
Christine Holt (JD ’00) is chancellor for the University of Arkansas Community College at Hope-Texarkana. She is the first black woman to lead a public higher education institution in Arkansas.
Heather Clayton Terry (B.S.Ed. ’00, MPA ’06) was promoted to senior philanthropy coordinator at Dominion Energy overseeing charitable giving efforts across the state of Ohio for the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation.
Ben Hodge (M.Ed. ’01) was named superintendent of Avon Schools in Avon, Ohio.
Shawn Montgomery (MS ’01) was named vice president of operations for Nth Cycle, a metal processing and recycling technology company.
Sean McGinnis (M.Ed. ’02) was named as the first-ever head men’s lacrosse coach at Thomas More University.
Ann Aber (JD ’03) was promoted to senior vice president, general counsel and secretary at Joann, Inc., based in Hudson, Ohio.
Bette Lou Higgins (M.Ed. ’03) released a new book The Lost Restaurants of Downtown Cleveland in September 2021.
Kathryn Hall (MA ’04) is the vice president of diversity and inclusion for JACK Entertainment and was recognized as one of the 2021 YWCA of Greater Cleveland Career Women of Achievement.
Stephanie M. Mercado (JD ’05) is project director at Biggins Lacy Shapiro and Co.
Julie Peters (MA ’06) has been promoted to senior director in RSM’s technical accounting consulting practice. RSM is a provider of audit, tax and consulting services.
Maria Spangler (MPA ’06, JD ’06) is on the leadership team for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s 2022 Cleveland Man & Woman of the Year.
Jessica Berger (MSW ’06) was named vice president of university advancement at Cal State San Marcos in San Marcos, California.
J.P. Krainz (MBA ’07) is director of the account services department at thunder::tech, an integrated marketing agency in Cleveland, Ohio.
Katie White (M.Ed. ’07) serves as the associate director of programming and assessment at Towson University Campus Recreation.
Saree Doyle (BSEd ’08) was named director of Summit Academy Community School, which serves K-12 students, and specializes in educating diverse learners with ADHD and autism.
John LePelley (M.Ed. ’09, MBA ’12) was named to the alumni board at Wittenberg University. He is currently the head of the Cleveland School of the Arts.
2010s
Hannah Belsito (MUP ’11) is chief experience officer at Destination Cleveland.
Leon Karas (BBA ’11) is service director for the City of Macedonia.
Andrew Gotlieb (MUP ’12) was named to Pro Builder’s Top 40 Under 40 list for his accomplishments in home building. Gotlieb is the business development director at Keystate Homes & Development in Bedford Heights, Ohio.
Garrett Humes (JD ’12) joined the Real Estate Practices Group at the law firm Ulmer & Berne LLP.
Valissa Turner Howard (MA ’12) joined the Greater Cleveland Fook Bank as vice president of talent and legal affairs.
Taylor Thomas Cera (MBA ’12) was named COO of the Youngstown Orthopedic Associates/Orthopedic Surgery Center in Youngstown, Ohio.
Frank O’Grady (M.Ed. ’12) teaches middle school history at Menlo Park Academy, a public charter school for gifted children in Cleveland.
Brittany A. Carbaugh (MA ’13, Ph.D. ’20) recently began her first staff psychology position with the James A. Haley Tampa VA Medical Center.
Sara Continenza (MPA ’14) is founder and executive director of Food Strong, a civic and social non-profit organization that serves Cleveland-area communities by promoting the cultivation, purchase and consumption of fresh and local foods while simultaneously linking the same communities with vital services and resources. The organization is headquartered in South Euclid, Ohio.
Bilal Akram (BA ’14, MA ’16) is the CEO of Code Media Group, which seeks to address the ”emotional, financial, physical, psychological and spiritual wellness of men of color.”
Jen Elliott (MBA ’14) was named the new Forest Primary School principal in North Olmsted, Ohio.
Monique Hebert (BA ’14) released a children’s book Mom and the Mythical Creatures earlier this year.
Jason Kassabri (M.Ed. ’14) and his wife, Kristina (BBA ‘09, and MBA ‘14, opened Hawthorn Grove Childcare in Bay Village, Ohio.
R.S. Veira (BBA ’14) released a new book, Dream With Me: A Dreamer’s Ramblings on Life, Love, God and Achieving the Dream, through his imprint, RSV Ink.
Chris DeMarco (BMus ’16), a bassist, opened Bowed String Shop in Lakewood, Ohio, focusing on violin, viola, cello and bass rentals, repairs and sales.
Melanie Rose Davis (BA’16) joined Cleveland Ballet as production manager.
Linda Marshall (BS ’16, MS ’17) has been appointed as vice president of operations for National Church Residences of Columbus, Ohio.
Mark Nagorney (BSN ‘17) is a surgical nurse in general surgery at the main campus of the Cleveland Clinic.
Brandon Rounick (BA ’17), launched the podcast Men Who Talk Heal with friend Zach Miley. Rounick is a life, health and wellness coach certified by the Health Coach Institute.
Derek Sloan (BBA ’17) was named interim head coach of the West Virginia Wesleyan men’s basketball program. Sloan was a member of CSU’s men’s basketball team from 2013-2018.
Annie Sobotka (BSN ’18) married Chris Yannon in August 2021.
Ryan Kelly (BA ’18) is vice president of operations for Transition Film Studios, headquartered in Cleveland.
Nicole Kay Kline (JD ’18) joined Benesch law firm as an associate in the Corporate & Securities Practice Group.
Tyler Mercado (BA ’18) is a member of the Independence Police Department in Ohio.
Paul Fitzpatrick (BA ’19) is executive director of Clevelawn, a nonprofit organization that works to reduce poverty and violence in Northeast Ohio by providing pathways to the workforce and training, while earning a wage.
Kortni Rechelle Spates (BBA ‘19) has joined the firm of Ancora as an assistant vice president and financial accountant.
Chad Felton (BA ‘98) is a staff writer at The News-Herald covering, among other topics, county government and various Lake County agencies.
2020s
Sheena Holland Dolan (BA ’20) is a multimedia journalist at The News-Herald.
Albert A. Bragg Jr. (Ph.D. ’20) is the executive director of Alpha Phi Homes, a non-profit housing, development and management corporation formed in 1966 by the members of Eta Tau Lambda chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Adam Tubbs (EMBA ’21) was named CEO of FIT Technologies.
Have you changed jobs? Earned a degree? Won an award? We’d love to share the news with your fellow alumni. Click here to update your information or e-mail to magazine@csuohio.edu. If available, please include a high resolution photograph for publication.
Three alumnae named Crain’s Cleveland Business 2021 Women of Note
Diane Beastrom (BA ’77, MA ’79), Sarah Flannery (JD ’02) and Marcia Moreno (MA ’07) were honored as Crain’s Cleveland Business 2021 Women of Note. Beastrom is president and CEO of social services agency Koinonia, Flannery is a partner at law firm Thompson Hine and Marcia Moreno is president and founder of AmMore Consulting.
Four alumnae named Crain’s Cleveland Business 20 in their Twenties
Not one. Not two. Not three, but FOUR alumnae were recognized in this year’s Crain’s Cleveland Business class of 20 in their Twenties. From left to right are Brandilyn Cook (JD ’18), Nichole Davis (BS ’20), Samira Malone (BA ’17, MUPD ’20) and Juliana Petti (BA ’18).
Also in This Issue...
University unveils blueprint for the future: CSU 2.0
Cleveland State University has unveiled an aggressive, growth-oriented plan for emerging from the global pandemic a stronger, more-focused institution.
Madam Secretary
Marcia Fudge (JD ’83) is the once-reluctant politician who has risen the ranks to earn a spot in President Joe Biden’s cabinet.
Steven Lake pays it forward, helps Cleveland students thrive in college and beyond
Steven Lake, first in his family to attend college, thrived at CSU with prep programs and mentorship. Now executive director of Cleveland’s Thrive Scholars, he supports underrepresented students through college success.
Tenacious McGee
At an age when most are reflecting on lifelong careers and enjoying their golden years, Robert McGee, 74, has no plans to slow down.
A Message from the President
Harlan Sands marks his first anniversary as CSU’s president, celebrating new strategic priorities, the Say Yes initiative, partnerships with Tri‑C & LCCC, and global student engagement — all focused on student success.
The Space for Success
Throughout the past few years, CSU has developed a collection of student success programs that set students on an upward trajectory. This summer saw the rollout of a new initiative that had both students and parents breathing a sigh of relief.
With access for all: space law and the final frontier
As space travel ramps up, the rules we play by still trace back to a 1967 treaty. From asteroid mining to satellite swarms, “space law” is adapting — without new treaties — to keep the final frontier open and peaceful.
Business prof’s top podcast seeks to create better workplaces, one listener at a time
Anchored by CSU’s Ben Baran and co‑host Chris Everett — The Indigo Podcast blends science-backed strategies and real-world stories to help listeners build flourishing, meaningful workplaces for all.
Hands off the steering wheel to build a better future
Level 3 and some Level 4 driverless cars already navigate roads — identifying hazards, following routes — with full autonomy (Level 5) still decades away. These vehicles could slash parking needs and reshape urban spaces by 2030.
Making secondhand the first choice
A nonprofit creative reuse space minutes from downtown Cleveland, Upcycle Parts Shop offers low‑cost materials — beads, fabric, buttons — and fosters community through workshops, local hires, and partnerships that spark connection and revitalization.
The walls that love built
Holly Jackson turned her experience of homelessness into Walls of Love: a nonprofit that installs community “needs walls” stocked with essentials. In 3 years, it's served 325,000+ people across 21 states — all driven by grassroots volunteerism.
We can’t get enough of this local t-shirt shop
When Cleveland rebranded its baseball team to the Guardians, locals were buzzing: why wasn’t GV Art involved? The Vlosich brothers swiftly launched their own tribute — mixing civic pride with Cleveland grit.
What Now?
CSU alumni in diversity and equity roles reflect on post-2020 racial justice protests, pushing lasting change through anti-racist training and community-driven accountability.
New leader of alumni relations seeks greater engagement
Anne-Marie Connors returns to CSU as associate VP for alumni relations, focusing on mentoring, internships, and events to strengthen alumni ties and support for students.
Alumnus teams with industry heavy hitters for new film
Eric Swinderman (BA ’05) returns with The Enormity of Life, a dramedy about mental health and gun violence, starring Breckin Meyer; now streaming on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, YouTube, and Google Play.
One recent grad’s quest to end homelessness
As a child, Claire Billingsley grew up witnessing housing instability. She didn’t know it then, but those early experiences would shape her life’s work: to combat housing inequity and end homelessness, in her words, “one way or another.”
New president of alumni association board takes reins
With nearly 20 years in HR, Lauren Rudman (MLRHR ’08) leads GNCO’s HR and Training and now serves as CSU Alumni Association president, aiming to strengthen alumni connections and support career growth for CSU grads.
The Birth of the Vikings
As the Cleveland Indians transition to their new moniker the Guardians, we couldn’t help but wonder why and how the Vikings became CSU’s official nickname.
A Family Affair
Samia Shaheen (BA ’19) is set to graduate from CSU Cleveland-Marshall College of Law and join Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease. She'll be the 11th in her family to earn a CSU degree.
Greater Cleveland Partnership spearheads scholarships for Levin College of Urban Affairs students
A new scholarship fund created in honor of longtime civic leader Joe Roman will provide support to CSU undergraduate and graduate students who are studying economic development or urban planning at CSU’s Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs.
CSU partners with TransDigm to promote diversity in aerospace with scholarship fund
CSU has formed a new partnership with TransDigm Group Inc., which will provide scholarship funds to support tuition and on-campus housing needs for female and underrepresented minority engineering and business students at CSU.
CSU joins Industry 4.0 with new lab donation
CSU’s Washkewicz College of Engineering now houses the Rockwell Automation Connected Enterprise Laboratory, a state-of-the-art facility designed to train students on advanced manufacturing technologies.
Remembering former CSU president Dr. Claire Van Ummersen
The first woman to hold the position of President at Cleveland State University, Dr. Claire A. Van Ummersen, passed away on September 29 after sustaining injuries in an automobile accident in Needham, Massachusetts. She was 86.
Grace Drake was a public servant with CSU students at heart
As the founder of the Ohio Center for the Advancement of Women in Public Service, former state senator Grace Drake, worked tirelessly for close to 20 years promoting the advancement of Levin students in public sector careers.
In Memoriam – December 2021
University unveils blueprint for the future: CSU 2.0
Cleveland State University has unveiled an aggressive, growth-oriented plan for emerging from the global pandemic a stronger, more-focused institution.
Steven Lake pays it forward, helps Cleveland students thrive in college and beyond
Steven Lake, first in his family to attend college, thrived at CSU with prep programs and mentorship. Now executive director of Cleveland’s Thrive Scholars, he supports underrepresented students through college success.
A Message from the President
Harlan Sands marks his first anniversary as CSU’s president, celebrating new strategic priorities, the Say Yes initiative, partnerships with Tri‑C & LCCC, and global student engagement — all focused on student success.
With access for all: space law and the final frontier
As space travel ramps up, the rules we play by still trace back to a 1967 treaty. From asteroid mining to satellite swarms, “space law” is adapting — without new treaties — to keep the final frontier open and peaceful.
Hands off the steering wheel to build a better future
Level 3 and some Level 4 driverless cars already navigate roads — identifying hazards, following routes — with full autonomy (Level 5) still decades away. These vehicles could slash parking needs and reshape urban spaces by 2030.
The walls that love built
Holly Jackson turned her experience of homelessness into Walls of Love: a nonprofit that installs community “needs walls” stocked with essentials. In 3 years, it's served 325,000+ people across 21 states — all driven by grassroots volunteerism.
What Now?
CSU alumni in diversity and equity roles reflect on post-2020 racial justice protests, pushing lasting change through anti-racist training and community-driven accountability.
Alumnus teams with industry heavy hitters for new film
Eric Swinderman (BA ’05) returns with The Enormity of Life, a dramedy about mental health and gun violence, starring Breckin Meyer; now streaming on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, YouTube, and Google Play.
New president of alumni association board takes reins
With nearly 20 years in HR, Lauren Rudman (MLRHR ’08) leads GNCO’s HR and Training and now serves as CSU Alumni Association president, aiming to strengthen alumni connections and support career growth for CSU grads.
A Family Affair
Samia Shaheen (BA ’19) is set to graduate from CSU Cleveland-Marshall College of Law and join Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease. She'll be the 11th in her family to earn a CSU degree.
CSU partners with TransDigm to promote diversity in aerospace with scholarship fund
CSU has formed a new partnership with TransDigm Group Inc., which will provide scholarship funds to support tuition and on-campus housing needs for female and underrepresented minority engineering and business students at CSU.
Remembering former CSU president Dr. Claire Van Ummersen
The first woman to hold the position of President at Cleveland State University, Dr. Claire A. Van Ummersen, passed away on September 29 after sustaining injuries in an automobile accident in Needham, Massachusetts. She was 86.
In Memoriam – December 2021
Madam Secretary
Marcia Fudge (JD ’83) is the once-reluctant politician who has risen the ranks to earn a spot in President Joe Biden’s cabinet.
Tenacious McGee
At an age when most are reflecting on lifelong careers and enjoying their golden years, Robert McGee, 74, has no plans to slow down.
The Space for Success
Throughout the past few years, CSU has developed a collection of student success programs that set students on an upward trajectory. This summer saw the rollout of a new initiative that had both students and parents breathing a sigh of relief.
Business prof’s top podcast seeks to create better workplaces, one listener at a time
Anchored by CSU’s Ben Baran and co‑host Chris Everett — The Indigo Podcast blends science-backed strategies and real-world stories to help listeners build flourishing, meaningful workplaces for all.
Making secondhand the first choice
A nonprofit creative reuse space minutes from downtown Cleveland, Upcycle Parts Shop offers low‑cost materials — beads, fabric, buttons — and fosters community through workshops, local hires, and partnerships that spark connection and revitalization.
We can’t get enough of this local t-shirt shop
When Cleveland rebranded its baseball team to the Guardians, locals were buzzing: why wasn’t GV Art involved? The Vlosich brothers swiftly launched their own tribute — mixing civic pride with Cleveland grit.
New leader of alumni relations seeks greater engagement
Anne-Marie Connors returns to CSU as associate VP for alumni relations, focusing on mentoring, internships, and events to strengthen alumni ties and support for students.
One recent grad’s quest to end homelessness
As a child, Claire Billingsley grew up witnessing housing instability. She didn’t know it then, but those early experiences would shape her life’s work: to combat housing inequity and end homelessness, in her words, “one way or another.”
The Birth of the Vikings
As the Cleveland Indians transition to their new moniker the Guardians, we couldn’t help but wonder why and how the Vikings became CSU’s official nickname.
Greater Cleveland Partnership spearheads scholarships for Levin College of Urban Affairs students
A new scholarship fund created in honor of longtime civic leader Joe Roman will provide support to CSU undergraduate and graduate students who are studying economic development or urban planning at CSU’s Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs.
CSU joins Industry 4.0 with new lab donation
CSU’s Washkewicz College of Engineering now houses the Rockwell Automation Connected Enterprise Laboratory, a state-of-the-art facility designed to train students on advanced manufacturing technologies.
Grace Drake was a public servant with CSU students at heart
As the founder of the Ohio Center for the Advancement of Women in Public Service, former state senator Grace Drake, worked tirelessly for close to 20 years promoting the advancement of Levin students in public sector careers.
University unveils blueprint for the future: CSU 2.0
Cleveland State University has unveiled an aggressive, growth-oriented plan for emerging from the global pandemic a stronger, more-focused institution.
Tenacious McGee
At an age when most are reflecting on lifelong careers and enjoying their golden years, Robert McGee, 74, has no plans to slow down.
With access for all: space law and the final frontier
As space travel ramps up, the rules we play by still trace back to a 1967 treaty. From asteroid mining to satellite swarms, “space law” is adapting — without new treaties — to keep the final frontier open and peaceful.
Making secondhand the first choice
A nonprofit creative reuse space minutes from downtown Cleveland, Upcycle Parts Shop offers low‑cost materials — beads, fabric, buttons — and fosters community through workshops, local hires, and partnerships that spark connection and revitalization.
What Now?
CSU alumni in diversity and equity roles reflect on post-2020 racial justice protests, pushing lasting change through anti-racist training and community-driven accountability.
One recent grad’s quest to end homelessness
As a child, Claire Billingsley grew up witnessing housing instability. She didn’t know it then, but those early experiences would shape her life’s work: to combat housing inequity and end homelessness, in her words, “one way or another.”
A Family Affair
Samia Shaheen (BA ’19) is set to graduate from CSU Cleveland-Marshall College of Law and join Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease. She'll be the 11th in her family to earn a CSU degree.
CSU joins Industry 4.0 with new lab donation
CSU’s Washkewicz College of Engineering now houses the Rockwell Automation Connected Enterprise Laboratory, a state-of-the-art facility designed to train students on advanced manufacturing technologies.
In Memoriam – December 2021
Madam Secretary
Marcia Fudge (JD ’83) is the once-reluctant politician who has risen the ranks to earn a spot in President Joe Biden’s cabinet.
A Message from the President
Harlan Sands marks his first anniversary as CSU’s president, celebrating new strategic priorities, the Say Yes initiative, partnerships with Tri‑C & LCCC, and global student engagement — all focused on student success.
Business prof’s top podcast seeks to create better workplaces, one listener at a time
Anchored by CSU’s Ben Baran and co‑host Chris Everett — The Indigo Podcast blends science-backed strategies and real-world stories to help listeners build flourishing, meaningful workplaces for all.
The walls that love built
Holly Jackson turned her experience of homelessness into Walls of Love: a nonprofit that installs community “needs walls” stocked with essentials. In 3 years, it's served 325,000+ people across 21 states — all driven by grassroots volunteerism.
New leader of alumni relations seeks greater engagement
Anne-Marie Connors returns to CSU as associate VP for alumni relations, focusing on mentoring, internships, and events to strengthen alumni ties and support for students.
New president of alumni association board takes reins
With nearly 20 years in HR, Lauren Rudman (MLRHR ’08) leads GNCO’s HR and Training and now serves as CSU Alumni Association president, aiming to strengthen alumni connections and support career growth for CSU grads.
Greater Cleveland Partnership spearheads scholarships for Levin College of Urban Affairs students
A new scholarship fund created in honor of longtime civic leader Joe Roman will provide support to CSU undergraduate and graduate students who are studying economic development or urban planning at CSU’s Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs.
Remembering former CSU president Dr. Claire Van Ummersen
The first woman to hold the position of President at Cleveland State University, Dr. Claire A. Van Ummersen, passed away on September 29 after sustaining injuries in an automobile accident in Needham, Massachusetts. She was 86.
Steven Lake pays it forward, helps Cleveland students thrive in college and beyond
Steven Lake, first in his family to attend college, thrived at CSU with prep programs and mentorship. Now executive director of Cleveland’s Thrive Scholars, he supports underrepresented students through college success.
The Space for Success
Throughout the past few years, CSU has developed a collection of student success programs that set students on an upward trajectory. This summer saw the rollout of a new initiative that had both students and parents breathing a sigh of relief.
Hands off the steering wheel to build a better future
Level 3 and some Level 4 driverless cars already navigate roads — identifying hazards, following routes — with full autonomy (Level 5) still decades away. These vehicles could slash parking needs and reshape urban spaces by 2030.
We can’t get enough of this local t-shirt shop
When Cleveland rebranded its baseball team to the Guardians, locals were buzzing: why wasn’t GV Art involved? The Vlosich brothers swiftly launched their own tribute — mixing civic pride with Cleveland grit.
Alumnus teams with industry heavy hitters for new film
Eric Swinderman (BA ’05) returns with The Enormity of Life, a dramedy about mental health and gun violence, starring Breckin Meyer; now streaming on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, YouTube, and Google Play.
The Birth of the Vikings
As the Cleveland Indians transition to their new moniker the Guardians, we couldn’t help but wonder why and how the Vikings became CSU’s official nickname.
CSU partners with TransDigm to promote diversity in aerospace with scholarship fund
CSU has formed a new partnership with TransDigm Group Inc., which will provide scholarship funds to support tuition and on-campus housing needs for female and underrepresented minority engineering and business students at CSU.
Grace Drake was a public servant with CSU students at heart
As the founder of the Ohio Center for the Advancement of Women in Public Service, former state senator Grace Drake, worked tirelessly for close to 20 years promoting the advancement of Levin students in public sector careers.