A Blast from the CCWA Past

Last Wednesday, our general members were treated to a visit by two very important alumni, Kapil Melkote and Matthew Kaido. Kapil, co-founder and first president of CCWA, gave a presentation to our members on the original idea for the organization: a club with an academic focus, as well as a social component— or “the most inclusive fraternity ever.” Kapil detailed how he and other founding members were able to grow the club in the span of a few years, with CCWA receiving the “Outstanding Student Organization Program” in 2012.

In some respects, the Ohio State that Kapil described seemed like a completely different school from the one we attend now— the Ohio Union and Thompson Library were still under construction in 2011, and the school year ran on quarters instead of semesters. However, the CCWA that Kapil described sounded strikingly familiar, from the persistence of traditions like jam sessions and shrunkmuncs to OSUMUN, a CCWA tradition that Kapil and his friends helped create.

More than anything, Kapil and Matt were able to speak to what makes CCWA so special— the relationships we make in this organization that make Ohio State, a school of over 40,000 students, feel small and that continue long past graduation day. On behalf of our current members, I would like to extend a sincere “thank you” to Kapil and Matt for taking the time to speak with us. We look forward to strengthening our connection with CCWA’s amazing alumni network, and hosting alums this coming fall for Homecoming weekend (October 4-6th)!

- Abi McGowan, President