Retiring professors leave a legacy of research and academic leadership.
It’s been a summer of retirements for the Case School of Engineering. The school said goodbye to several distinguished faculty members, professors and researchers who collectively represent hundreds of years of service to Case and its students.
Dean Venkataramanan “Ragu” Balakrishnan expressed the thanks and admiration of many as the spoke of the group’s dedication and legacy.
“It is hard to overstate the impact these individuals have had on the Case School of Engineering and Case Western Reserve University,” the dean said. “Through their dedication and leadership, they have changed the lives of countless students, advanced the school’s research and entrepreneurial enterprises, and added fundamental new knowledge to the field of engineering. While they will be sorely missed, I remain deeply grateful for their contributions and am delighted that they will have the opportunity for new adventures in the years to come.”
Professors who have attained emeritus/ emerita status include:
Chung-Chiun “C.C.” Liu, PhD ’68
Retired after 44 years at Case. A Distinguished University Professor and the Wallace R. Persons Professor Emeritus of Sensor Technology and Control, Liu was the longtime Director of the Electronics Design Center and helped Case hone its expertise in microfabrication and electrochemistry.
Renowned as a researcher, beloved as a mentor, Liu received the Gold Medal from the Case Alumni Association in 2016. He was previously awarded a Meritorious Service Award and the Samuel Givelber ’23 award for promoting fellowship.
Adel “Tony” Saada, PhD
Joined Case Institute of Technology in 1962 and became synonymous with the Department
of Civil Engineering, which he chaired for 20 years. His legacy is assured.
Saada helped design and build the $1.2 million Saada Family Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory in the Bingham Building. Meanwhile, the Saada Family Fellowship Fund, administered by the Case Alumni Foundation, provides two to three fellowships per year to outstanding students pursuing a doctorate in civil engineering.
Saada received a Meritorious Service Award from the Case Alumni Association at Homecoming 2019.
Clare Rimnac, PhD
Joined case in 1996 and rose to become a Distinguished University Professor and the Wilbert J. Austin Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. She also served as associate dean for research.
Rimnac’s research exploring orthopedic biomechanics was funded by medical and industrial partners for more than 30 years. In 2013, she received a Meritorious Service Award from the Case Alumni Association.
Marc Buchner, PhD
an associate professor emeritus in the Department of Electrical, Computer, and Systems Engineering, joined the faculty in 1976 and became one of Case’s most innovative and respected academic leaders. Among other duties, Buchner served as associate dean for academics and director of the Virtual Worlds Gaming and Simulation Lab.
Marc DeGuire, PhD
An associate professor emeritus in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, celebrated his 35th year at Case this year with the Gutti Memorial Teaching Award — given by engineering students to the top undergraduate teacher.
James Anderson, MD, PhD
Served the university for 44 years as a professor of pathology, macromolecular science and biomedical engineering and, since 2012, as a Distinguished University Professor.
Uzi Landau, PhD
A professor emeritus of chemical engineering, served as department chair and enhanced Case’s strength in advanced electrochemical systems and processes.
Dave Matthiesen, PhD
An associate professor emeritus of materials science and engineering, served as faculty director of the Wind Energy Research and Commercialization Center and helped make Case a leader in wind energy technology.
Ken Loparo, PhD ’77
The Arthur L. Parker Professor Emeritus of Engineering, will be honored for 44 years of service to Case and to the Case Alumni Association with a Silver Bowl at Homecoming 2022.
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