Ryan Farrell CSU Student Success Stories

When the pandemic shut down live music and concert touring back in 2020, many professional musicians found themselves either at a crossroads or at cross purposes—taking on unrelated jobs just to make ends meet. For Mushroomhead’s Ryan “Dr. F.” Farrell, there was nothing cross about his purpose. He pulled up his bootstraps, pulled off his iconic stage mask and headed back to East 21st and Euclid. Ever a “glass half-full” and “silver lining” personality in both temperament and character, Farrell took all the pent-up energy he had for a planned transatlantic concert tour and transmuted it. He came back to Cleveland State University to complete his studies. This weekend he graduates with over 800 other soon-to-be-alumni with a Master of Music in Composition during Fall 2022 Commencement. Farrell came back to CSU after leaving to join the legendary costumed heavy metal band headquartered in Cleveland. Mushroomhead’s weighty touring itinerary left room for little else. But this forced “road sabbatical” a