08/26/2026
This week is the first week back to school for Case Western Reserve University students, and the next world-renowned innovator may be headed to class. 🎓
We’re looking back on just a handful of CWRU graduates whose studies at this world-class institution inspired some of the most well-known technology we use today.
M. Frank Rudy – Class of 1950. Rudy attended the formerly named Case Institute of Technology, where he studied mechanical engineering. He went on to work for NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration, where he invented technology that put pressurized air cushioning into Nike shoes. While at NASA, he also worked on their Saturn and Apollo rocket engines and held more than 250 patents.
Paul Buchheit – Class of 1998. Buchheit attended CWRU for his graduate program, graduating in 1998 with a computer engineering degree. Not only did he go on to create Gmail and the social networking site FriendFeed, he coined Google’s former company motto, “Don’t be evil.”
Craig Newmark – Class of 1975 + 1977. Newmark graduated from CWRU in 1975 and 1977 with his graduate degree in computer science. In 1995, he began sending friends events via email, which turned into a newsletter known as Craigslist. Newmark has since given back to CWRU through his Craig Newmark Philanthropies charity, helping launch the Women in Tech Initiative at CWRU.
Peter Tippett – Class of 1981 + 1983. Tippett graduated from CWRU in 1981 with a biochemistry degree and in 1983 with his PhD. While completing his residency at what is now MetroHealth Medical Center, he created a software company out of his home in Cleveland Heights. Years later, he and other CWRU students wrote the anti-virus program that eventually became Norton AntiVirus.
Sandra Oh Lin – Class of 1997. Before she made a name for herself as an entrepreneur, Sandra Oh Lin was a CWRU soccer standout – setting records for career points (74) and goals (30). Later in life, as a mom, she began creating at-home STEAM projects for her kids and family friends. Both passions inspired her to begin KiwiCo, Inc. - shipping STEAM-related activities to kids nationwide. The company has shipped more than 50 million crates since its inception in 2011.
This short list upholds Case Western Reserve University’s reputation as one of the best research institutions in the world, located right here in Greater Cleveland.
City of Cleveland - City Hall University Circle Inc.
