Welcoming Hertz finalists

Lee Swanger ’68, PhD, credits a Hertz Fellowship with helping him to earn his doctorate at Stanford University and blaze a successful career as a researcher and innovator. Swanger helped to bring the esteemed fellowship program to Case Western Reserve, which is now expanding its involvement.

In November, the university announced that finalists for the scienceoriented fellowships — typically 25 to 30 young people each year — will be offered full scholarships to CWRU. That was welcome news at the Case School of Engineering.

“When we’re thinking about the type of individual that we want to welcome into our community who would really add value to our programs, Hertz Finalists are in line with every characteristic we are looking for,” said Lauren Biddlecombe, the assistant dean of strategic initiatives.

Each year, the Hertz Foundation selects about 45 finalists for Hertz Fellowships in applied science, mathematics, and engineering after a rigorous selection process. Some 15 to 20 of those finalists are named Hertz Fellows and receive up to five years of graduate school free at a participating university.

Three years ago, at the urging of Swanger, CWRU took the steps required to join the program. The new collaboration is the first of its kind, said Swanger, a member of the Hertz Foundation board of directors. He expects it to help Case attract more top researchers. “These young people are already highly qualified, and they have gone through our wringer,” he said.