Emily Garvey

Cleveland Magazine: City List: Ohio City

2010-04-01T12:00:00.005-04:00

The West Side Market and Great Lakes Brewing Co. alone make it a must-visit neighborhood. But West 25th and Lorain is just a starting point for cool hangouts.

1 Phnom Penh Restaurant : Step away from the Chinese takeout menu, and try a traditional Cambodian dish that’s a real (yummy) mouthful: chha kreoung ma rass prowt. 1929 West 25th St., 216-357-2951, ohiorestaurant.com

2 Horizontal Books : This shop stocks all the best-sellers you meant to read six months ago, at up to 70 percent off. 1921 W. 25th St., 216-298-4411, horizontalbooks.com

3 Nate’s Deli & Restaurant : Middle Eastern food is the specialty, so order the popular fattoosh salad and shish tawook wrap. 1923 W. 25th St., 216-696-7529

4 Lelolai Bakery & Café : “Le lo lai” is sung by Puerto Ricans to show happiness. You might break into song after ordering the Cuban sandwich and homemade flan. 1889 W. 25th St., 216-771-9956, lelolaibakery.com

5 Something Different Gallery : A shop claiming the world’s most unusual art and gifts is worth a visit. 1899 W. 25th St., 216-696-5226, somethingdifferentgallery.com

6 Dragonfly Lounge : The Garage Bar owners have gritty patrons looking for a little class covered. Next to their biker-friendly bar, you’ll find this stylish cocktail lounge. 1859 W. 25th St., 216-696-7772, dragonflycleveland.com

7 Elegansia : Mix vintage styles and new designs sold at this small clothing reseller for a one-of-a-kind look. 1873 W. 25th St., 216-861-2553, elegansia.com

8 The Glass Bubble Project : Get custom blown-glass pieces, observe artists, or become part of the process. 2421 Bridge Ave., 216-696-7043, glassbubbleproject.com

9 Zen Metro Spa : Treat yourself to a massage, pedicure or new hairstyle at this trendy spa. 1870 W. 25th St., 216-939-1760, zenmetrospa.com

10 Old Angle Tavern : For those nights when you can’t decide between classic and contemporary, enjoy the flat-screen TVs amid the stone, castlelike walls. 1848 W. 25th St., 216-861-5643, oldangletavern.com

11 Ohio City Burrito : Forget complex ordering — Ohio City Burrito gives you a straightforward burrito, taco or nachos. 1844 W. 25th St., 216-664-0908, ohiocityburrito.com

12 Farkas Pastry Shoppe : We think it’s OK to try all the traditional handmade European pastries — as a cultural immersion experience, of course. 2700 Lorain Ave., 216-281-6200, farkaspastries.com

13 Unique Thrift Store : For an even thriftier experience, everything is half-price on Mondays. 3333 Lorain Ave., 216-631-0205, uniquethriftstore.com

14 Le Petit Triangle Café : Transport yourself to Paris: stop by in the morning for an espresso and croissant, or relax in the evening with a crepe and a glass of wine. 1881 Fulton Road, 216-281-1881, lepetittrianglecafe.com

(map & source)

The Observer: Undergraduate Student Government polls open through tonight

2010-03-26T12:00:00.001-04:00

It's Facebook-official: Undergraduate Student Government elections are underway. The campaign period began last Thursday, with polls opening yesterday and continuing through 11:59 p.m. tonight on the USG website.

This year, students can vote through CollegiateLink for the seven elected executive officers and the representatives for their college-14 for arts and sciences, 10 for engineering, five for Weatherhead, and three for Nursing. This is based on the number of students in each college.

The election is overseen by election commissioner Kevin Moeller, the outgoing USG representative for Storrs House. Moeller was appointed through USG and selected a group of five students to help him as associate commissioners - two outgoing USG representatives and three not affiliated with the organization.

"I look for a diverse commission," said Moeller. "So I have members from all the classes, people from all different organizations.

"Our job is to make sure that the election is run fairly," he continued. "We have election bylaws, a posting policy, so we make sure that all the candidates are following that."

Some of the ways that students are allowed to campaign are through Facebook groups and events, posting flyers and chalking. Students are not allowed to send mass emails, however, and must be sure to follow all posting policies such as to not post on buildings or trees and not obstruct other flyers.

"The big thing that gets a lot of people is that they're responsible for their supporters too," says Moeller. "I'd say 90 percent of the violations that get reported come from supporters."

This means that candidates can get in trouble even if they are not the ones to break the rules. Punishments range from warnings to being removed from the race and having to appear before the University Judicial Board. All election violations are posted on the USG Web site so that the campus community can be aware of any issues.

More than half of the candidates are returning USG representatives, so the rules are nothing new to them. This may also lead to lower turnover within USG next year, as most candidates understand the expectations of the organization. All elected representatives will also have the rest of this semester to comfortably transition into their positions.

Still, a re-election campaign does not necessarily mean a win. As with all elections, it is up to the voters to decide.

"Last year we had, I think, the highest voter turnout," said outgoing USG president Duwain Pinder. "We had over 1000 students vote."

This is still less than one-fourth of all undergraduate students, though. All undergraduates, including outgoing seniors, are eligible - and encouraged - to vote.

The biggest tip for voters on election day: be informed.

"Voters should read the letters of intent that are up on the USG Web site just to see what the candidates' vision is for next year," advised Moeller.

"The decisions that USG make affect students from the present to the future, so it's really important that you have somebody who you respect and who you agree with on a lot of things representing you," said Pinder. "Look into all the candidates' platforms deeply, and make sure that you don't vote out of ignorance."

Any issues or questions about the election can be directed to usgelection@case.edu.

(source)

The Observer: CWRU receives record number of applications

2010-03-05T12:00:00.002-05:00

In times of overwhelming stress such as midterms, sometimes it's nice to know that there's someone out there who wishes they were in your position. What about nearly 9500 people? That's the number of applications received by Case Western Reserve University's Office of Undergraduate Admission, a 20 percent increase from last year's figures.

"We thought we would have more applications this year than we had last year," said Robert R. McCullough, director of undergraduate admission. "But you never really know exactly what's going to happen with high school seniors out there. They can be a fickle bunch."

Overall, universities across the country have been seeing increases in application numbers this year. The Common Application reported roughly an 11 percent increase on average, partially because high school students have started applying to more schools.

But undergraduate admission has been making some major changes that have contributed to CWRU's above-average increase, including more domestic and international recruiting travel.

"We were actually in twice as many high schools as we'd been in the year before," says McCullough. "And we were in about 50 percent more college nights. So we saw a nice bump in applications as a result of pounding the pavement a little bit more and working to find students."

The increase in applications won't mean an increase in incoming students, however. Undergraduate admission is aiming for a freshman class of 1000 students - only slightly more than the 966 in the 2009-2010 incoming class.

What this means, however, is a drop in CWRU's percentage of students admitted, but McCullough is hesitant to say by how much so early on. CWRU has always admitted an unusually high percentage of applicants - last year's figure was 70 percent - but this surge in applicants could mean the beginning of a downward trend.

"I'm pretty optimistic that with a lot of work that we're doing now, we'll be on a good pathway there," says McCullough.

The admissions office is excited about the results they received this year, but it also means a shift in the way they read applications. Each admission counselor has more applications to sift through, and they must start looking at each one a little more carefully.

"On the one hand, it's really great to improve your acceptance rate and to see that number go down, but at the same time, it can be tough when you're in the midst of reading an application," said McCullough. "We're more 'yes people' than 'no people', being in admission. We want to make things possible for folks and so when you have to say no a little bit more, it can be a little bit of a challenge."

But overall, this new trend is a very positive sign for the university. More applicants means that CWRU's name and reputation is becoming more familiar around the world, and improved statistics could mean higher rankings as well.

"As Case Western Reserve's name is getting out there more with larger applicant pools, I think that's a positive for students because the university is becoming better- known and more highly sought-after," said McCullough. "It's a place that more and more students are discovering, and coming to, and appreciating, so when you have that and you have strong freshmen classes coming in, and as we become more selective, students are going to feel more excited about being here and being among those selected."

All applicants will hear of their acceptance by April 1, so as those decisions are sent out, CWRU students should expect to see more and more admitted students on campus visits. And students choose a university not because of the admission counselors, but because of the other students, remarked McCullough, so be friendly - remember, by next year these students might end up in your shoes.

(source)

Inside Business: Community Impact Awards: Clean Sensation

2010-03-01T12:00:00.001-05:00

Evergreen Cooperative Laundry washes away the barriers to business ownership.

The future is looking as bright as the freshly washed linens at Evergreen Cooperative Laundry in Glenville, and nobody is happier than its employee-owners.

The commercial laundry business, part of ShoreBank Enterprise Group, Cleveland, follows a unique cooperative model that allows employees, many of whom live in the low-income areas around University Circle, to own a stake in the company after six months of employment.

“In this neighborhood, most people don’t even own their own automobiles, so it’s exciting,” says laundry supervisor Medrick Addison, who grew up in Glenville. “Everybody wants to be part of the American Dream, own something, be able to sit on a Board and have a say in everyday operations.”

The commercial laundry opened last fall to serve large institutions in Greater University Circle, such as hospitals and assisted living homes, and is already on target to clean more than 10 million pounds of bed sheets, blankets and gowns annually. Currently, Evergreen employs seven workers, but at full capacity it will employ as many as 50.

Evergreen Cooperative Laundry is part of ShoreBank’s Evergreen Cooperative Development Fund. The Cleveland Foundation invested $3 million in a revolving-loan fund to launch the cooperatives.

So far, the fund includes Ohio Cooperative Solar, an energy company that installs solar panels. Another venture, Green City Growers Cooperative, is a greenhouse that is planned to launch later in 2010.

The businesses follow an employee ownership model and are as environmentally friendly as possible. Evergreen Cooperative Laundry uses more than four times less water per pound of laundry than average.

Many of Evergreen’s employees previously had difficulty finding work. Tracie Marsh could not find permanent employment because of a felony assault charge on her record, but Evergreen has given her the chance to start over.

“I feel good waking up knowing I have a place to come to and a paycheck waiting,” she says. “It gives me hope.”

Mienyon Smith can see the positive impact Evergreen Cooperative Laundry is having on the community through the increase of jobs, wealth and money circulation.

“I take the name ‘Evergreen’ and compare it to, in the springtime, everything is green,” says Smith. “Green is everywhere, and that’s what we’re looking forward to in the future.”

(source)

The Observer: CWRU endowment up 8 percent after last year

2010-02-26T12:00:00.000-05:00

Has the worst of the economic recession passed? Judging from Case Western Reserve University's endowment numbers, it might have. CWRU's total endowment now stands at $1.5 billion as of the end of 2009, compared to $1.4 billion in 2008. This translates to an 8 percent increase of the endowment, a huge recovery from last year's dip of 20 percent.

Endowed gifts, according to CWRU's chief investment officer Sally Staley, are usually larger donations that are given to be saved. Returns from these invested donations are then spent on a specific project or cause within the university, so that endowed gifts continue to benefit an institution forever instead of just during the donation year. Donors can also put additional restrictions on endowment gifts. The most common uses are to fund professorships, scholarships, or fellowships in a given field of study on an annual basis.

Overall, CWRU's endowment is the thirty-fifth largest out of all US and Canadian universities and consists of more than 2700 endowed gifts. Many universities across the country rely heavily on their endowments. Indeed, at some institutions, endowment monies cover more than 50 percent of operating revenues. However, because CWRU is primarily a research institution, the administration and faculty are able to net large amounts of federal government and corporate research money so that only 10 percent of CWRU's operating costs are covered by endowment revenue.

Staley works in the Office of Investments in order to ensure that our endowment is sustainable. In other words, since a certain amount of the endowment will be withdrawn every year to fund university activities, Staley must work to ensure that the endowment's investment returns are high enough to cover this cost, plus inflation.

To maintain this sustainability, all of CWRU's endowed gifts are combined into one large investment pool and then put into different investments such as public and private equity, hedge funds, bonds, natural resources, and real estate. Once invested, the endowment relies heavily on market performance, which accounts for its fluctuation, especially over the past two years.

Although the economic downturn of the last fiscal year was a huge impediment to endowment funds all over the country, it forced endowment fund managers to look into better long-term strategies.

"The thinking that's changing in the endowment management world is that when you're that dependent on your endowment, you really need to have much less volatility in your investment returns and in your market value," said Staley. "So there's a big school of thought that's recognizing that risk management is a much bigger part of what we do."

This means that the Office of Investments must work with two goals: minimizing fluctuation, while still maximizing returns on the investments.

One thing that CWRU has been doing in order to follow this new plan has been handling more investments in the office during the past year in order to ensure lower volatility. Before, most investments were sourced to institutional mutual funds. Staley pointed out that the Office of Investments' new strategy has not gone unnoticed.

"We won a large Endowment of the Year award based on fiscal year 2009," said Staley. "So, our worst-ever return earned us industry recognition because it was better than most [other endowment funds]…and because it came from our activity to improve our risk management program."

Staley is pleased with the turnaround during the first half of the 2010 fiscal year. The 8 percent increase is just about on par with the return necessary for a sustainable endowment, and the Office of Investments is doing everything they can to continue the upswing.

"It's really kind of a crucial moment," said Staley. "If we can continue to recover through this fiscal year, through June 30, then I'll feel confident that we have our three-to-five-year numbers back on track and we've set a good plan out."

(source)

Cleveland Magazine: Most Interesting People 2010: Pinkey S. Carr

2010-01-01T12:00:00.004-05:00

Pinkey S. Carr
Assistant prosecutor for
Cuyahoga County | 44

Why she’s interesting … Carr received the 2009 Prosecutor of the Year Award for her exemplification of tenacity, integrity and professionalism in the pursuit of justice.

Tough to crack … A major trial unit prosecutor, she only works on rape and murder cases.

Serving the public … She’s worked in the public sector her entire career. “It’s more than my job. I feel like it’s my mission.”

Making history … “I don’t think any person in my office has prosecuted a serial murderer before.” She will be one of two co-prosecutors trying the Anthony Sowell case in the coming months.

Early influence … Her TV insight into the field of law was Perry Mason. The show helped convince Carr that she wanted to go into law as early as age 3. “I never had a backup plan.”

And now … She avoids lawyer shows but is a fan of 24. “My friends and family know not to call me between 9 and 10 on Monday.”

By the numbers … 17 years, more than 1,000 cases, more than 20 in 2008. The expected number for an average prosecutor in one year is 12.

Pinkey? … Her name comes from her paternal grandmother. Carr’s mom was originally against it but compromised for Carr’s middle name, Susan, after her maternal grandmother.

Sticking with it … She planned to change her name but got used to it. Others didn’t. She still meets those who don’t believe it’s her real name.

(source)

Inside Business: One 2 Watch: Jeffrey O'Brien

2010-01-01T12:00:00.003-05:00

Jeffrey O’Brien | 27
Group events specialist, Lake Erie Monsters Hockey
jobrien@lakeeriemonsters.com

SELLING A MONSTER PRODUCT: Jeff O’Brien has always loved hockey, and now he’s selling that love to others in Lake Erie Monsters tickets. Currently in its third season, the minor league hockey team shares the stage with the Cavs at Quicken Loans Arena. And the sales team is a huge part of the Monsters’ “team behind the team.” Last year, its hard work helped the Monsters produce the highest-attended game in the American Hockey League with more than 17,000 fans. FROM PUCKS TO TEES: He grew up with hockey, but O’Brien started playing golf around age 12. Since then, he’s gotten pretty good. O’Brien played for his college team at Loyola College in Maryland and competed against players that have since gone on to the PGA tour, such as Ryan Moore and Nick Watney. After college, he even spent six months working as an assistant golf professional. FOLLOWING LOVE:Originally from West Hartford, Conn., O’Brien’s wife is to thank for his relocating here. They met during their last semester in college and spent almost five years in a long-distance relationship before O’Brien finally made the move to Cleveland.

Q & A
We talked to O’Brien about his sports hero, business inspiration and more.

IB What was your first impression of Cleveland?

JO A lot of people from the East have a preconceived notion about Cleveland and the Midwest in general. But I came out in May 2004, and I fell in love with the city. All my friends and family that have come here love it. It’s very similar to Connecticut. Small, quaint, cozy.

IB What’s your favorite sports team?

JO I am a diehard New York Rangers fan. My crowning sports moment was watching them win the Stanley Cup in 1994. I remember I was in the sixth grade, and hopefully I’ll get to see another Stanley Cup in New York in my lifetime.

IB Who do you admire the most in sports?

JO Mark Messier. He was a captain of the 1994 New York Rangers team. A lot of people argue that he was the best captain ever. He was always scoring the big goal, always taking the pressure off the team. He’s just a natural leader, on and off the ice. He was a consummate professional and just a true competitor, competing on every level.

IB Who do you admire the most in business?

JO Dan Gilbert. I obviously knew the name before I came and worked for the Monsters, but just seeing what Dan’s done with the Cavs, with Quicken Loans, with the Monsters. ... As our owner and ultimate boss, he embodies what success is.

IB What are your New Year’s resolutions?

JO A personal goal is to be the best husband I can be, and my goal working-wise is to continue to get better each day at my job and ultimately realize our goal to become the No. 1 sales team in American hockey. And I’m going to throw in a third goal, a golf goal because that is a big part of my life. My third goal is to qualify for a USGA event this year — either the U.S. Open, U.S. Amateur or U.S. Mid-Amateur.

IB What’s your personal elevator pitch?

JO I’m passionate. I’m a quick-learner and whatever I dive into, I dive into headfirst at 110 percent. So I’m going to give you all I have for as long as I can do it.

IB What about the Monsters’ pitch?

JO It’s fan-friendly, it’s fast-paced, and the value is just unbelievable. Our biggest challenge is just getting people to experience the Monsters because once they come out for that first game, they’re hooked. I was hooked, and that’s why I’m here. This is an NHL-quality product at a minor league price, and people are starting to realize the value.

(source)

Cleveland Magazine: A Christmas Cause

2009-12-01T12:00:00.000-05:00

When we got the message “FINAL YEAR! DON’T MISS IT!” about the Cleveland Play House’sA Christmas Story, we thought we must have read it wrong. The production, now in its fifth year, has been a big hit.

From Clevelanders who remember the 1983 movie filming to those of us who just relate to the Midwestern childhood it depicts, there’s something innately Cleveland about A Christmas Story. And with Tremont’s A Christmas Story House only a few miles away, Cleveland has become “a very unique holiday destination,” says Lisa Craig, public relations manager at the Cleveland Play House.

Despite its popularity, A Christmas Story was never intended to be a permanent addition to the theater’s lineup, Craig says. And with huge changes on the horizon — the theater will move downtown in 2011 to partner with PlayhouseSquare and Cleveland State University — Cleveland Play House is keeping its options open.

Still, we just don’t think we’re ready to give up our search for an official Red Ryder carbine-action, 200-shot, range-model air rifle yet — and it seems neither is Cleveland Play House.

“It’s our final year, but please tell us how much you enjoy it,” Craig says. “If we got a deluge of wonderful positive reinforcement about how much [Clevelanders] hope to see us continue to do A Christmas Story, then we’re going to pay attention to that.”

C’mon Cleveland. We triple dog dare you.

(source)

The Weatherhead Collection: The World Is My Textbook

2009-07-01T12:00:00.004-04:00

My diploma from Weatherhead will look the same as every other graduate, but the experiences I’ve had to obtain my degree are a world of difference — literally. This semester, I took the opportunity to study abroad in Singapore, and I don’t think that I have ever made a better decision.

I have experienced a dragon dance amidst fire to celebrate the Chinese New Year and the chaos that envelops Chinatown on New Year’s Eve; fierce haggling with Malaysian hawkers over the prices of their wares; the 4:00 a.m. trek up the active volcano, Mount Batur, in Indonesia to see the sunrise from the top; and, of course, the inside of my Chinese language classroom. It is here that I spend six hours a week forcing my mouth to pronounce foreign tones, and rehearsing the strokes that come to form the characters of the language.

At times, I have been placed in situations that are uncomfortable, undesirable, and unexpected, but I have also experienced ones that are incredible, breathtaking, and memorable. I would consider myself immersed in Asian culture to the greatest extent: the people, the places, the cuisine, the language. I’ve experienced this all thanks to Weatherhead.

My official path of study is a dual-degree: Management with a concentration in Marketing, and English, with an unofficial focus on Journalism. I’m also pursuing a minor in Childhood Studies. While all of the titles may sound impressive (or at least I hope so, for my resume’s sake), what they really mean is that I’m intensely interested in people. I love learning about how people work, how they communicate, why they make the decisions that they do, and how to best manipulate those instincts in order to get my message across.

My focus on people is something that I’ve really had the chance to expand while studying abroad. I’ve made new friends from all over, and I now have contacts throughout the U.S. and Singapore, and in European countries such as Germany, Holland, Norway, and Sweden. This has led to so many great insights about the rest of the world. The U.S. is a unique country, but it also isolates us from common thought found throughout Europe and Asia. I have spent many late nights with friends debating and discussing pretty much everything you can think of: the economy, politics, education, relationships, social norms, history, and the future. I see how worldly these peers of mine are, and I relish in our friendships because I know that they are contributing so much to my education in a way that not even the most intelligent professor could.

Of course, before I boarded my plane, Weatherhead did more to prepare me for my experience than just sign the paperwork. A sequence of courses that management students take is called Managing Organizations and People, which I think really captures the essence of what being a Management major is all about. In order to be successful, managers must work well with the individuals that make up an organization, so it makes sense that they should have excellent abilities in dealing with people.

Throughout these courses, we learned the basics of organizational structure, we debated ethical dilemmas, and we wrote a plan for ways to achieve our potential goals. Even more importantly though, wewere pushed into situations that taught us how to work in teams, acknowledge differing opinions, compromise, take charge, and become leaders. Working closely with my peers, something that I do very often at Weatherhead, has taught me the difficulties of group work, and then helped me to develop ways to work out those difficulties. I know that this will be one of the most important skills that I take with me into the workforce after graduation.

Applied to my current situation abroad, I have used these skills to listen to my peers and accept the new ideas that they raise due to our cultural differences. For example, my Advertising Strategies course has been a real eye-opener to the difficulties of international marketing. Even U.S. products are marketed differently than they are in the States because of different values and norms. As a result, it is especially important that I pay close attention to my environment and classmates’ input, which is definitely humbling in a good way. Being able to first experience this now, instead of in an international business conference room, is a huge professional advantage and something that will definitely further my future career.

Though this semester has been more amazing than I expected, I am still excited about returning to Case Western Reserve University for my final year. My time here has made me really come to appreciate all of the unique advantages and niceties that come with a Weatherhead education. I miss the tight-knit atmosphere of the school and the individual attention paid to students by the deans and professors. I miss the heated classroom debates that challenge me to explain my positions and support my opinions. I miss being able to walk into the Peter B. Lewis Building and see dozens of people I know.

I guess what I’m saying is that, while I can now boast world-traveler status, and despite all of the people whom I have met and friends that I have made, I can’t think of any place besides Weatherhead to which I would rather come home.

(source)

Kappa Alpha Theta Collegians Blog: Cambodia: Where past meets present

2009-05-12T12:00:00.001-04:00

It was only mid afternoon, but we had already been awake for 12 hours. We had wearily peeled ourselves out of bed at 4:00 AM with promises of a stellar sunrise, but that plan was frustratingly marred by some unfortunately placed clouds.

Now, one half of a dozen temples later, utter exhaustion had set in and my eyes grew heavy as I leaned my head against the window of the minivan that was carrying us to visit yet another temple. But the combination of the bumping on the worn road and the giggling of my friends in the backseat made napping impossible.

Sighing, I opened my eyes again and in front of me was the most spectacular sight: Angkor Wat, the largest and most famous temple in the complex, was looming just ahead of us. The temple had definitely been impressive at sunrise but in the full sunlight, it was absolutely breathtaking. The ancient stones set against the sparkling moat and lush green background made for an incredible contrast of past and present, and I found myself unable to look away.

Suddenly much more awake than I had been just moments before, I smiled, recognizing the overwhelming feeling that I also get when I don my kite-shaped badge and recite our ritual: one of being part of something much bigger than myself.

(source)

Kappa Alpha Theta Collegians Blog: Ready for my next mission

2009-05-05T12:00:00.000-04:00

There’s a fortune cookie message taped to my laptop that reads “Travelling to the east will bring you great rewards.” A friend from back home gave it to me when I was in the planning phases of this trip, and it’s given me comfort every time something about this semester has thrown me for a loop.

With my time in Southeast Asia winding down, though, I’m waiting for my next message to appear. For the past year or so, I have been hoping, thinking, planning, and living this semester: it was my ultimate goal to get to where I am right now. But now that it’s about to be over, I’m just not ready to let it go yet.

Studying abroad has definitely been one of the best decisions of my life, and I recommend it to anyone who asks. Incredible bonds are made with people you’d never expect. Comfort zones and cultural stereotypes that you used to cling to for dear life are shattered to pieces. And every day that you spend living a life so different from what you’re used to is another day that you’re pushed to grow into an even better version of yourself.

I guess after living a life that has pushed me beyond my limits each and every day, I can’t imagine that I’ll be able to find something as rewarding back in the States. But if you think about it, what I described above is pretty accurate to the Fraternity’s Mission Statement:

“…opportunity for social, intellectual, and moral growth…”

Check.

So maybe I just need to have faith that Theta will be able to give me what I’m waiting for, and that I don’t need to be so worried after all.

(source)

Kappa Alpha Theta Collegians Blog: History Lessons

2009-04-26T12:00:00.000-04:00

Well, after a great five days in Beijing with my mom, I am finally back to my hot and humid "home" in Singapore... only to be hit dead-on by the ever stressful end of semester tradition: finals week studying. But, as I sit here in the crowded yet silent library, even faced with the knowledge that I have an exam tomorrow that I should be preparing for, I can't help but feel completely content with this semester.

Of course, my education is important to me and I will get around to studying (don't worry, Mom and Dad!), but I think there's a really good reason why Bettie Locke chose to use the term "intellectual growth" in our Mission Statement: because sometimes, the most important lessons come from outside of the classroom.

In Beijing, the subject for the week was history and with over 2,000 years to draw from, there was definitely no shortage of it. The days consisted of a whirlwind of tour stops - everything from the Forbidden City, a palace that used to house the Emperor himself, to the Bird's Nest and Water Cube, home to Michael Phelps' records during last summer's Olympic Games.

Our tour of the Summer Palace was cross-registered with gender studies, and our attention was focused on the story of Empress Dowager Cixi, who actually ruled the country for almost 50 years in the late 1800s. According to our tour guide, she "caught the power" by ruling from "behind the curtains" of various male front-men. And while she did make some rather questionable ruling decisions (hey, it's hard to lead more than 1 billion people), it made me proud that a woman managed to step up like that in such a male-dominated society.

And based on this quote from her days at Indiana Asbury University (which actually coincided with the Empress’ reign), I think Bettie would have agreed:

"What, women take a back seat? Never."

So even though it's said that climbing the Great Wall makes me a "true man", I'm glad to find that there's also a place for true women in China's history.

(source)

Kappa Alpha Theta Collegians Blog: On why I'm proud to be a sorority chick

2009-04-01T12:00:00.003-04:00

It's still cool (or, at the very least, widely accepted) to be a part of Greek Life back in the States, right? I've been in Asia so long that I'm not even sure anymore. Ever since I arrived, I've gotten nothing but blank stares, eye rolls, jokes, and giggles every time I pull out one of my many possessions emblazoned with my sorority's letters. The teasing from Europe has been much more pronounced than the teasing from Asia, but it seems as though no one else in the whole world understands the concept in the least bit.

I suppose I can't really blame them, though. They are the first to admit that their entire preconception of Greek Life hinges on American movies and TV shows. And let's be honest: that view of Greek Life is not exactly something that I would be proud to be associated with.

The problem is that in real life, at my school, our Greek Life could not be farther from what is depicted in the movies. So that leaves me unsuccessfully trying to change the stereotypes that my friends here have so carefully crafted due to all the frat-bashing flicks that the American entertainment industry so loves to produce.

In any case, due to this misconception, I've had a lot of chances to attempt to explain my reasoning behind my involvement in my sorority. So while I may have missed out on Formal Recruitment this year, believe me, I've been asked enough of the typical Potential New Member questions to last me the whole year.

Recently, though, as I've started to grow frustrated by my friends' inability to understand, I've come to the realization that I'm going about this explanation all wrong. People always ask me what my sorority does, and I struggle to put everything that my sorority means to me into the actions that the meaning is transformed into. Instead, though, I should simplify; focus on the first part.

So, anyway, after possibly the longest introduction ever, here is my official answer:

Greek Life is more than just an activity, more than just letters on a necklace and a slogan on a t-shirt, more than just parties and mixers. Greek Life is exactly what it sounds like: a way of life. Sure, similar to other activities, we do focus on leadership, scholarship, and community service, but what makes Greek Life so unique is the ritual and the family bonds.

I will be a member of my sorority for life, along with hundreds of thousands of other women, and it's the ritual that connects us all. I know that every single woman who has been initiated into my sorority was handpicked as having the similar values and attributes that I find important. So, by joining my chapter, I wasn't just gaining 50-something new friends, I was gaining an entire community of women who I knew would positively impact my life and help me to develop into the best possible version of myself.

So while yes, I do love the social aspect of Greek Life that allows me to meet an exponentially greater number of people than I would otherwise, while I do love taking opportunities to give back to the community through service, and while I do think that the bonds of sisterhood are stronger than any other type of friendship, it's the deeper meaning of my sorority that gets me:

The intellectual ambition of the Fraternity shall be the attainment of the highest scholarship. The social aim of the Fraternity shall be to exercise the widest influence of good. The moral aim of the Fraternity shall be the moral standard of love.

This is the official purpose of my sorority, and this is why I'm so proud to be a part of it. Because my sorority has given me the chance to surround myself with women who, like myself, also strive wholeheartedly to reach those goals mentioned above. And if you ask me, there doesn't seem to be anything better than that.

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Undergraduate Admission Blog: Campus Visit Tips: Case Lingo

2008-11-11T12:00:00.001-05:00

Whether you are taking a campus tour, sitting down for a one-on-one interview or staying overnight before one of our Open Houses, no one wants to feel out of place. To make your visit more comfortable, here are some common terms and abbreviations you’ll hear being thrown around by Case students, staff and faculty.

Thwing: Pronouncing the silent H in Thwing is the number one sign of a campus newcomer—it’s pronounced “twing”. The building functions as the student union. Inside you’ll find the bookstore, The Jolly Scholar bar and grill, lots of meeting rooms and the offices of student groups such as Undergraduate Student Government, The Observer student-run newspaper and University Program Board.

Leutner: One of the two dining halls on campus, located close to first-year residence halls. Permanent food stations in Leutner include the Grill (burgers and fries), Classics (home-cooked comfort food), Global (stir-fry prepared to order on a large flattop grill), Jalapeño (burritos and nachos) and more.

KSL: Kelvin Smith Library, the central library on campus. Open 24/7, KSL becomes a popular hangout spot the week leading up to midterms and finals.

The Village: The on-campus luxury place to live for juniors and seniors. These apartment-style residence halls have air conditioning, double beds, private baths and full kitchens.

Greenie: The free university shuttle service that circles campus and some surrounding areas. According to legend, the mini-buses were once green, and the name stuck. The shuttles were later painted, but for some reason “bluey” has yet to catch on.

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CWRU Undergraduate Admission Blog: Get an early start with Early Action: Apply by November 1

2008-10-22T12:00:00.000-04:00

If you are itching to receive those fat acceptance envelopes already, Early Action might be the application plan for you. At Case, Early Action is non-binding, meaning you can still keep your options open, but you’ll get your admission decision much sooner. For students who want to get a head start on their applications, Early Action saves you a couple months of nervously checking the mail.

To get your decision by December 15, though, you’ll have to get a move on your application. Case’s deadline to apply for Early Action is November 1. By that date, all applications must be submitted via the Common Application, all tests must be taken, and all supporting documents must be in the mail.

Apply to Case today!

Application deadlines: Early Action: November 1
Pre-Professional Scholars Program: December 1
Regular Decision: January 15

Learn more about our application plans and deadlines here.

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CWRU Undergraduate Admission Blog: Fall in Love with Cleveland this Summer

2008-08-29T12:00:00.002-04:00

Case campus is a great place to stay over the summer, but it’s also the ideal time to get out and explore the rest of Cleveland while the sun is out and the weather is warm. The perfect way to do just that and score a paid internship is through the unique intensive internship program, Summer on the Cuyahoga.

More than 75 students from top universities including Case, Colgate, Cornell, Harvard, Princeton, Smith and Yale live together at Case, work individualized internships, and attend fun and interesting events in the evenings and on weekends. These events, such as trips to the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Warehouse District, and the top of Key Tower, are designed to introduce students to Cleveland as a place they can call home.

Summer on the Cuyahoga also jumpstarts your career prospects by scheduling many Career Exploration and networking events where participants get the chance to rub shoulders with some of Cleveland’s top professionals. Of this summer’s participants, a vast majority reflected that they would now strongly consider taking a permanent position in Cleveland after college, and two participants actually did just that and found their positions through the program.

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