Let the next
chapter begin

This quote feels especially poignant as we welcome students back to campus for the 2021-22 academic year. An almost tangible sense of hope fills the air, and our community is reveling in the promise of a new chapter.

Reuniting as a community on campus is particularly meaningful after the challenges imposed by the  pandemic. In addition to this long-anticipated reconnection, our students and faculty have another reason to be joyful — the opportunity to work and learn in  two new, state-of-the-art spaces. 

The new concrete lab in the Bingham Building, the only lab of its kind in the state, offers key resources for department faculty and students to perform advanced experimental testing and develop advanced materials for structural design and rehabilitation. Undergraduate students will have dedicated space to explore materials science in the brand-new  undergraduate teaching lab in the White Building, part of a larger renovation that also includes fresh space for students to study and gather between classes. 

I hope that many of you will be able to join us in reconnecting as a community during the 2021 Homecoming and Reunion Weekend, with virtual and in-person activities planned for Oct. 21-24. As part of those celebrations, Case Western Reserve University’s Kelvin Smith Library will commemorate the 140th anniversary of the establishment of Case School of Applied Science with an interactive digital history. Our history runs deep, with roots in the community and a legacy of innovation known across engineering — and we’ll continue to build upon this strong foundation for years to come. 

Despite the challenges faced over the last 18 months, the Case School of Engineering has advanced engineering research and education thanks to the strength and determination of our community.  

I can’t wait to see what this next chapter will bring. My sincerest thanks go to all of you who continue  to support and champion the Case School of Engineering and Case Western Reserve University.