The Observer, March 9, 2007
Volume XXXIX, Issue 20
Doc Oc to remain a campus fixture with new memorial
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Ignacio Ocasio, known as "Doc Oc," has left an enduring mark on the hearts of many Case students. Soon, his likeness may also become a permanent fixture on the Case campus.
The 2007 Senior Week Committee is planning a memorial for Doc Oc as the Senior Class Gift. A statue could be erected on campus as early as spring 2008.
A. Joseph Kinkel, a sculptor from Colorado, is the frontrunner to be commissioned to create the memorial. The memorial would be a bronze, life-size statue of Ocasio seated on a six-foot bench. The cost of the sculpture would be $44,000 plus $500 for shipping.
USG President Neil Ursic said that he was confident that USG would commit its budget rollover from the 2006-2007 year, expected to be around $15,000, to the memorial. A bill donating this money would have to be passed by the USG General Assembly.
The Media Board has suggested that it might contribute, as well.
Jennifer Kalb, Senior Week Committee member, said she does not know how the rest of the money will be raised. "We're in talks with a bunch of people. We're in talks with UPB. We've talked to Phi Tau. I would love to talk to individual donors, but we have to work through Development. Ideally we would like to raise the money ourselves," said Kalb.
Ideas for fundraising events such as a champagne and chocolate party have been brought up. "As it stands right now, the Senior Week Committee has decided to do a tailgate for the field day event, which is much more Doc," said Kalb.
Field Day is a new event during Senior Week. The money from Senior Week tickets used at this event would go toward the effort to erect the statue.
Since Ocasio's death in May 2005, Professor of Mathematics Chris Butler has led an informal organization of students and faculty that has planned various commemorations of Ocasio. Using the Doc Oc Memorial Fund established by Case after Ocasio passed away, the group has proposed various memorials including a Doc Oc Study Space in the Chemistry Department and an Ignacio Ocasio Award to be given to the top freshman chemistry student. Money from the Doc Oc Memorial Fund will not be used in erecting the statue.
"I [think] a scholarship or an award is a great way to remember him, but I feel like something for the entire campus is appropriate," said Kalb.
Laura Tartakoff, professor of political science and friend of Ocasio, remembers him as a teaching professor in an institution full of researchers. She visits Ocasio's mother each year. Tartakoff believes a student-led effort to memorialize Ocasio is fitting. "I think it should be the students [who erect the memorial]. He loved [the students]…It's not just seniors who took his class. Every student should be involved," said Tartakoff.
Butler has Ocasio's Ohio license plate that reads "Doc Oc" in his office. Over winter break Butler and his family visited the Ocasios relatives in Puerto Rico. He said that he had recently talked with Ocasio's and that they were behind the Senior Week Committee's efforts.
"They hoped that they would be able to come to Cleveland for the unveiling if there was one," said Butler.
Undergraduates who had never met Ocasio still hear of his impact.
"From what I've heard he was a good guy. I'm all for [the memorial]," said sophomore Laura Sweeney.
"I think it would be a cool idea. A lot of my upperclassmen friends knew him and liked him," said Abraham Del Rio. "It's better money spent than getting a new Case logo," he added.
Ocasio passed away the day before the May 2005 commencement ceremony. Erin Monroe, Class of 2005 and now an English graduate student and teaching assistant, remembers the ceremony as bittersweet. She said she tries to carry on Ocasio's legacy in her English 398 classes. "I'll never have the energy he had, but I try to bring some enthusiasm," she said. "And I definitely learn their names the first day of class."
