Case Alumni Association

A sleepy Quad awoke this week to a new school year as first years descended on Discover Week. Alumnus Jim Kilmer '00, MS'00 helped welcome the new class of Case engineers in Strosacker Auditorium Tuesday afternoon at the annual Freshman Welcome. Displaying his trademark humor and antics, Kilmer primed the freshman for the next four years with observations and advice: “Learn how to fail! And I don’t just mean on your tests. This is an opportunity for you to push your limits.”

The students then went outside and met some of their professors. Here’s a glimpse at the night’s action.

August is National Make a Will Month, an annual reminder of the importance of having a plan in place. Getting your affairs in order doesn’t need to be expensive or time-consuming.

Looking for more information? The Case Alumni Foundation is pleased to be able to provide a gift planning toolkit to our alumni – you can download yours from our website via the link in our bio or go here:

https://casealum.planmylegacy.org/wills-and-living-trusts?bbeml=tp-H1WwF-_Ixk6heeeHNxlxRg.jXInMgJd5lUO6jTyN6EjbCQ.rTk2hyKPF0UelPO1U2tGZUA.lSF8IXalgj0mvJNvFuYlEpw

So you think you want to retire? So did Jim Krall. Then his Florida retirement community put him to work on the biggest project of his career.

One last hurrah A Case engineer thought he had retired. A Florida beach town had other plans for him.

Roger Cerne ’63, a longtime leader of the Case Alumni Association and a steadfast supporter of the Case School of Engineering, died Monday, July 13, at age 85.


Cerne was known to more than a generation of alumni as an organizer, a connector, and a promoter with a twinkle in his eye. Cerne served the organization for nearly 25 years and fostered steady growth in its endowment and scholarship programs.

Tribute: Roger Cerne Proud alumnus led the Case Alumni Association for nearly 25 years

Mega boost for manufacturing.

The National Science Foundation just named Northeast Ohio one of the nation’s Innovation engines, positioning the region to receive as much as $160 million to boost advanced manufacturing.

“Led by Case Western Reserve University, the Northeast Ohio coalition brings together more than 70 partners from private industry, higher education, philanthropy, and state and local governments.”

Leading that coalition is our own Nick Barendt ‘95, MS ‘98, adjunct instructor in the Case School of Engineering

Northeast Ohio lands massive $160M federal award to transform the region’s manufacturing future The NEO-SMART coalition secures National Science Foundation award, bringing together powerhouse companies like Sherwin-Williams, Goodyear & Lubrizol.

Our office will be closed on July 3, 2026 in observance of the July 4th holiday.
We will be back to normal business hours on Monday, July 6.
Here's wishing you a happy and safe holiday weekend!