The Foundation is Growing – Jamie Semans as New Program Coordinator

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The Cook Family Foundation is proud to announce the addition of Jamie Semans to its team as the new Program Coordinator. In this position, Semans’ primary role will be to engage with Shiawassee County’s nonprofit community – especially the Foundation’s grantee partners. 

Semans began her career supporting individuals with intellect

ual disabilities in developing the skills needed to live and work independently. She spent 16 years serving the community through the public mental health system at Shiawassee Health and Wellness, most recently serving as Operations and Communicatio

ns Director. She most recently worked at Young Chevrolet Cadillac as the Human Resources and Marketing Manager.

As a community advocate, Semans has also served as the Chair of the Health and Human Services Council and was voted as the 2025 Community Champion through the Shiawassee Chamber of Commerce. She currently serves on the board of directors for the Shiawassee Family YMCA and the Shiawassee District Library. Her personal mission is to empower others to live their best lives by connecting them with meaningful resources and support systems. 

“We are thrilled to welcome Jamie to our team,” said Rachel Osmer, Associate Director of the Cook Family Foundation. “Jamie’s experience in the nonprofit arena speaks for itself. She brings to the table a vast amount of connections to nonprofits, relationships with community leaders, and passion for uplifting Shiawassee County. I am confident that she will be an asset to our team and all of our partners.” Rachel goes on to say that, “Jamie’s commitment to nonprofits is a perfect fit for the Foundation. She is already involved with multiple nonprofit boards, and is visible at nonprofit community events.”       

The enthusiasm for the new hire goes both ways.

“I have looked up to the Cook Family Foundation and deeply admire the legacy that the Board, Tom and Anna continue to carry forward,” said Semans. “Countless lives have been positively impacted through the Foundation’s work, and I am truly honored to join a group of people who care so deeply about their community. I am grateful for the opportunity to help support and continue their important mission.”

Semans was born and raised in Shiawassee County, where she lives with her husband and their 3-year-old twin girls. In Jamie’s spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and staying active at Fitness Coliseum, where her husband is a trainer. Weekends are often spent exploring the Owosso Farmer’s Market, visiting local parks and playgrounds, checking out stacks of books from the Shiawassee District Library, navigating the Shiawassee River on kayaks, or traveling up north to spend time with family. Jamie’s twins are active in the Shiawassee Family YMCA and Ashleigh’s Dance Shack.
She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Baker College. Welcome, Jamie!

Foundation U-M Scholarship Recipients Celebrated at Annual Event

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The Cook Family Foundation held their annual University of Michigan Scholarship Recognition celebration on Tuesday, May 5th at the Lebowsky Center in Owosso. Approximately 130 family, friends, school representatives, past scholarship recipients, and other supporters attended the event to acknowledge the area’s best and brightest.

“Thirty-five students, from twelve high schools in the Shiawassee County area, are being recognized tonight for the scholarships they have earned to attend the University of Michigan,” said Cook Family Foundation Co-Executive Director, Tom Cook at the event. “Tonight, the scholarships awarded by the Foundation and the University of Michigan total over $431,500. With these awards, the Foundation will have helped more than 1,000 students attend the University of Michigan’s Flint, Dearborn, and Ann Arbor Campuses.”

From left to right are:
Tom Cook – Co-Executive Director of the Cook Family Foundation
Olivia Kovick – Recipient of the Donald Cook Scholarship
Madison Dennis – Recipient of the Bruce and Jacqueline Cook Scholarship
Tim McKay – Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education, College of Literature, Science, & the Arts, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Continuing to highlight these outstanding students, Tom Cook also shared, “Of the students being celebrated tonight, seven are class valedictorians, one is a salutatorian, and most are among the top ten in their class. As a group, these students also represent class presidents, National Honor Society members, student council officers, team captains, and leaders of other student groups. Eleven students were recognized as Shiawassee Scholars in eighth grade. We are proud of their efforts and look forward to seeing what their futures hold.”

Madison Dennis of Durand was awarded the Bruce and Jacqueline Cook Scholarship, one of the highest accolades in the greater Shiawassee County region. This scholarship, endowed after the passing of Bruce and Jacqueline Cook, provides four years of undergraduate tuition to the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, with a value exceeding $75,000.

Madison is the daughter of John and Jennifer Dennis and was the valedictorian of her class at Durand Area High School. In addition to her many AP classes, she participated in dual enrollment through both LCC and Mott Community Colleges and was on the “all A” honor roll all four years. She has been the president of the student government for all four years of high school and as well as the National Honor Society secretary for two years. Madison has also served as both copy editor and editor in chief of the yearbook. Her sports achievements include three years of varsity volleyball, MHSAA legacy program youth volleyball referee, club volleyball captain, and volunteer youth volleyball coach, as well as four years of varsity bowling and varsity tennis. She plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience at UM-Ann Arbor, followed by a PhD in the same field, with an ultimate goal of becoming a doctor and researcher in neurology.

In addition to Madison, the evening’s additional honorees received scholarships ranging from $3,000 to $20,000.

Olivia Kovick of Chesaning was recognized as the winner of the Donald Cook Scholarship, given in recognition of the Foundation’s original benefactor.This scholarship, endowed by the Cook Family Foundation, is awarded by the University of Michigan to a student attending the College of Literature, Science, & the Arts and is worth $20,000. Donald Cook was a 1924 graduate of the University of Michigan who established the Foundation with his wife Florence-etta in 1979.

Olivia was one of the top ten students in her class at Chesaning Union High School. She is the daughter of Jarod and Brandi Kovick. She earned highest honors all four years of high school while taking several AP classes and was a member of the National Honor Society and Key Club for two years each. Olivia was a cheerleader for three years and served as Varsity Cheer co-captain. Her career goal is to become a college professor, but is still exploring exactly which area of interest she’ll pursue.

Along with the two students mentioned above, other scholarship recipients included:

Attending UM-Ann Arbor – from Byron High School: Mason Davis; from Corunna High School: Gracie TerMeer; from Durand Area High School: Brayden Joslin, Chloe Munson, and Carver Purdy; from Laingsburg High School: Cody Cataline; from Morrice High School: Parker Mockeridge; from Ovid-Elsie High School: Arthur Carie (2022 Graduate) and Jackson Custer; from Owosso High School: Ellen DeLong, Danica Dwyer, Tyler Jurhs, Sarina Shannon, and Owen Skarich; and from Perry High School: Autumn Pavlica and Chandler Webb.

Attending UM-Flint – from Chesaning Union High School: Addison Ostrander; from Corunna High School: Addison Baker and Sophia Butcher (both UM-Flint Early College); from Durand Area High School: Gwendolyn Bell, Taylor Carlson, Bailey Martin, Benjamin Mrazik, Brock Randall (UM-Flint Early College), Kirra Shepard, Lorraine Smith, and Shelby Tanner (UM-Flint Early College); from Laingsburg High School: Liam Esch (UM-Flint Early College); from Linden High School: Brenden Johnson; from Morrice High School: James Baur; from New Lothrop High School: Stone Elkins; from Perry High School: Addyson Lampron; and from Springvale Christian School: Peter Kokkinakos.

 

 

Declaring 2026 The Year of the Nonprofit in Shiawassee County

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Shiawassee nonprofits are essential — to the economy, to communities, and to individuals. Nonprofits exist to do things that government and business can’t, won’t, and shouldn’t. They fill the gaps that are left open. They exist for a fundamental purpose other than turning a profit and satisfying shareholders.  There will never be profit in a local Humane Society – but that doesn’t mean that it shouldn’t exist. Yet there is an obvious growth in misinformation about nonprofits (also called nongovernmental organizations or NGOs), and there has been a reduction in funding for the important work nonprofits do. More opportunities are needed to bring nonprofits together and create growth. Their presence exists to serve food to those that are hungry, provide artistic entertainment, connect seniors with important resources, help survivors of domestic violence, lead camps for children, and so much more. 

As such, a collaborative of local nonprofit leaders has designated 2026 as “The Year of the Nonprofit” in Shiawassee 

County. Through a number of social media posts, articles, and public gatherings over the next 12 months, this collaborative wants to say what too often goes unsaid. Learn more about this initiative on our Year of the Nonprofit tab on our website.

The points below help clarify the importance of nonprofit organizations.

1. Nonprofits deliver services — not amass wealth.

When nonprofits charge fees or seek grants and donations, they are doing what it takes to meet their missions. Nonprofits don’t have shareholders and don’t build equity for profit-sharing; every dollar is reinvested back into the mission and into communities.

2. Nonprofit leaders are experts.

If you want to know what’s happening in your community, ask a nonprofit leader. These leaders have deep roots in their communities and dedicate their professional careers to their missions. They are on the front lines of housing, healthcare, education, childcare, the arts, conservation, and more. Their insight is invaluable in crafting solutions that work in Shiawassee County.

3. Nonprofits hold communities together.

From food banks to mental health centers, from theaters to conservation groups, nonprofits build the social fabric that makes life rich and meaningful. Their work reaches every community in the state, supporting people across their lifespan. If you live anywhere in Michigan, a nonprofit has touched your life.

4. Nonprofits are partners to the government — not replacements.

Nonprofits often deliver services on behalf of the government because they are trusted by and embedded in the communities, and they can do the work more efficiently and effectively. But, they are not a free substitute for public investment, and private philanthropic support cannot backfill the difference left by cuts to government funding.

5. Nonprofits are accountable and efficient.

Nonprofits are held to high standards of transparency, governance, and ethical practice. Resources are stewarded by volunteer board experts, and each organization’s financial statements are publicly available by law, ensuring that organizations are accountable to everyone.

6. Nonprofits are economic drivers.

Shiawassee County’s nonprofits employ more than 160 people, and that number is raised significantly when the number of volunteers is included. They contribute millions to the county’s economy and support local initiatives of all kinds.  Nonprofit employees are data-scientists, counselors, teachers, advocates, artists, caregivers, biologists, historians, and more— all working to meet real needs in everyone’s towns and villages.

Take a moment today to appreciate what nonprofits do locally . . . and what the community would do without them. Visit nonprofitsgetitdone.org to learn more about the importance of nonprofits nationwide and how you can use your voice to stand with local nonprofits, volunteers, and staff who make communities stronger.

This piece was adapted, with permission, from a Letter to the Editor by Adam Jespersen, Executive Director of the Montana Nonprofit Association, in the Billings Gazette March 12, 2025.