Helping Case prosper

With a $25 million pledge, Roger Susi ’77 became the top financial supporter of the proposed Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Building, pushing the project toward a 2024 groundbreaking.

Even before his generous commitment was announced in June, the Susi name was well known on Case Quad. His gift of $2 million helped build the Roger Susi First Year Engineering Experience Lab, which opened in 2022 in the Bingham Building.

Susi said he was moved to make his latest contribution by the vision of a research hub designed to accelerate collaboration and innovation.

“This is important to elevate the university to the next level,” he said in a press release. “Having people in one area, coming from a lot of disciplines, exchanging ideas … I’d like to see my alma mater prosper.”

Susi earned his bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering from Case Institute of Technology and became a leading innovator in the field. He’s the founder of two successful medical start-ups.

InVivo Research, which launched the first successful MRI patient vital signs monitoring device, was acquired by Royal Philips in 2007. Susi went on to launch IRadimed, which is known for developing medical devices that make MRI scans safer and more reliable. In May, Forbes magazine ranked it among the nation’s top 100 small companies.

Susi said he thinks the new research center could, like his businesses, achieve breakthroughs that enhance lives. Plus, he likes the rapid impact of his last contribution, which launched a new program of experiential learning at Case.