Dear Friends of the Campus District,

It’s an exciting time for the Campus District, Inc. (CDI) organization. The Board of Directors of CDI is embarking on an update to its strategic plan starting this month and going through September. We’ll be identifying our top priorities for advancing the District and leveraging its many assets.

The Board and I are committed to learning from other organizations in Cleveland and other nearby cities about how to build on the strength of our “eds and meds” anchor institutions to revitalize the entire district. Our first learning experience was in Detroit where we met with staff and leaders of Midtown Detroit, Inc. We saw their impressive work of the past 25 years in real estate development, marketing and events, beautification, business support and attraction and safety.

We learned about their new employment and “live local” initiatives in collaboration with the anchor institutions of Wayne State University, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit Medical Center and the College for Creative Studies. In Cleveland we look forward to learning from University Circle, Inc. and the Greater University Circle Initiative. We’ll share this information with you and keep you updated on our strategic planning work.

Sherrell Adams, an 8th grader at Carl & Louis Stokes Central Academy, stands with Assistant Principal Kamilah Williams. Sherrell is receiving a $1,000 college scholarship, sponsored by the Sisters of Charity Foundation of Cleveland, from the Carson Scholar’s Award. Photo provided by Joan Mazzolini.

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Wow! Where can I begin? I mean, there have been tons of times I’ve had a problem that I had to overcome. But there is only one time, one DISATEROUS time, that I remember the most.

It was a spring night in 2009 – May 29 – when the problem began. I remember this night as if it were yesterday. Shynnelle and I were lying in bed, getting ready to go to sleep so we could get started with our next day, when our mother walks into the room and says…

“Hey you guys turn on the television and turn to the news!“ My sister and I were confused. Why did she want us to turn to the news? What was going on? My sister Shynnelle immediately turned the TV on and turned to the news. She didn’t like the horrid look on my mother’s face. We just watched, afraid of what was going to happen next. My mother had a worried look on her face. 

She turned the TV off and looked into our eyes and held our arms and said as clear as day, “That might be you guys’ father.”

We looked at her with a confused look on our face. What is she talking about?

“Huh?” was all we said.

“Well, the news reporter stated that a man was gunned down on Buckeye Road and your father lives near Buckeye Road. All I’m saying is, this could be Thomas,” she answered.

“That’s not our dad. We know that’s not our dad. It can’t be,” Shynnelle said.

Please help by taking ten minutes of your time to share your valuable opinion. Go to http://svy.mk/YVFEK1 to participate. Thanks!

Adam Sedlock, a fourth grader at the Campus International School. Photo by Donna Dieball.

My name is Adam and I am in the fourth grade at the Campus International School at East 30th and Chester Avenue. We opened in August of 2010 in the back of the United Methodist Church at East 30th and Euclid Avenue. Our side of the building faced Prospect.

When we started in 2010, we were Kindergarten through second grade. Our goal is to add a grade each year until we are K-12, and by then we will be in our third building.

Our curriculum is IB, standing for International Baccalaureate. We stand to do as our curriculum says: we make the world a better place. As a student of this school, you have to follow the six essential agreements, which are Listen, Be Inclusive, Respect Personal Space, Speak Kindly, and Stay With the Group.

We get to use Cleveland State’s Waetjen Auditorium for our winter and spring concerts. We also get to go to Playhouse Square to watch plays. Also, we get to have a PREP Rally before taking the Ohio Achievement Assessment test. This year, we are getting T-shirts that state IB profiles and attitudes on the back for the third and fourth grades, the grades that will take the test this year.

A portion of the Merit Scholarship Exhibition. In center, Ryan Upp’s “Our Eden’s a Failure.” Photo by Dan Morgan.

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Cleveland State University has been redeveloping its Downtown Cleveland campus for several years now. The process has demolished some older buildings and spurred the construction of new buildings. This story focuses on the realignment of the Art Department and Galleries at Cleveland State, shifting the “spotlight” to Playhouse Square on the western fringe of the Campus District.

The Galleries at CSU at 1307 Euclid Avenue, in the Cowell and Hubbard Building, opened in September of 2012, after moving CSU art classrooms into the nearby, newly renovated Middough Building in January. CSU is also playing a leading role in the newly reopened Allen Theater on Playhouse Square. 

Robert Thurmer, The Galleries at CSU’s director, also teaches at Cleveland State University.

The Wellness Fair, held in collaboration with the Sisters of Charity Foundation of Cleveland’s Healthy Family Fun Day, provided the community with fun and interactive health information and wellness screenings. In partnership with a host of community organizations, the Wellness Fair was able to offer attendees a fun-filled, educational afternoon. The event offered attendees health and wellness screenings, a variety of talks led by the doctors at St. Vincent Charity, healthy snacks and games and activities for children.

A variety of partners that ranged from health, education, public safety and community civic organizations came together for the afternoon. The event was supported through a grant from the Sisters of Charity Foundation of Cleveland.

“Caring for the community is a part of the mission of St. Vincent Charity Medical Center,” said Wendy Hoke, Senior Director of Marketing and Communications at St. Vincent Charity Medical Center. “The Wellness Fair was a great way for us to engage the Central community in becoming actively involved in their overall health.”

Campus District Intern Kristina Biro intevriews CIS Principal Julie Beers. Photo by Nick Downer.

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To say that the Campus International School (CIS) is a unique schooling environment would truly be an understatement. Upon entering the school, I could tell there was something special about it. The building was filled with music and artwork; the atmosphere was lively and welcoming.

Julie Beers, principal of the CIS, was formerly the principal of Nobel Elementary in Cleveland Heights. When she was approached with the opportunity to work in conjunction with CSU and share her vision for the school, she could not turn the position down. What Beers enjoys most about her position is observing the academic and emotional growth of CIS students and watching them become leaders.

Aaron Reese

His favorite places near the Campus District: Playhouse Square and Number One Pho at East 31nd and Superior.

A “hidden gem” in the district that more people should know about: The many artist galleries and work spaces in the Superior Arts Quarter.

One new thing he would add to the district: More parks and green spaces.

• Aaron Reese is a police officer for the Third District Community Service Unit in Cleveland. He works from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. patrolling various neighborhoods within the 3rd district, which extends from the river in the flats to Little Italy and includes the Campus District. Aaron is passionate about ensuring the safety and quality of life of Clevelanders.
• Aaron has been a police officer for 17 years. He began as a dispatcher at age 17. He commends both Commander Stevens and Chief McGrath of the Cleveland Police Force for their constant dedication to guarding the safety of our city’s citizens and businesses.
• Aaron is active in the Cleveland Police Athletic League, a group that tutors, coaches and mentors Cleveland youth.
• Outside of work, Aaron enjoys patronizing downtown restaurants and entertainment venues. He loves spending time with his wife and eight-year-old son.

The Morgan Art of Papermaking Conservatory and Educational Foundation is pleased to announce the opening of its latest art exhibition, Woodcuts & Drawings: works on paper and their process by local artist Andrij Maday. The exhibit is running now through June 4.

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Andrij Maday is a graduate of The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. He is the recipient of 12 awards for woodcuts and drawings, and currently is an instructor at the Virginia Marti College in Lakewood. Maday specializes in hand-carved woodcuts, drawings, traditionally executed icons and site-specific murals.

This exhibition of recent woodcuts and drawings showcases the artist’s passion as an instructor. Displayed with each printed woodcut are corresponding woodblocks in which the designs are carved in reverse. These blocks, in addition to displays of carving tools and mock-printing sessions, invite the viewer not only into the intricacies of his designs, but into his process as well. He often uses salvaged materials such as pine board cut-offs for woodblock printing in an effort to use the material which is most available around him.

Fouad shows his enthusiasm for CSU.

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Fouad Yared

His favorite place in the Campus District: The Law Library at Cleveland State.

A “hidden gem” in the district more people should know about: Bon Appétit near East 21st and Euclid Avenue.

One new thing he would add to the district: A microbrewery.

• Fouad is a graduate student at CSU’s Levin College focusing on economic development. He works as a graduate assistant, teaching classes in Urban Affairs. He also collects survey data for Legal Aid, a company that provides legal council to low-income people. He finds both jobs very rewarding.
• Fouad is passionate about films and hosts film screenings at the Levin College on a regular basis. He also loves Russian Literature – The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky is one of his favorites.
• Fun fact about his family: His parents met in Damascus, Syria and got married after only one date! They’ve been married now for 25 years.
• Throughout the rest of his life, Fouad hopes to be able to change stigmas in society.