Cook Family Foundation

The performing arts center at Marshall High School, designed by the same team as working on the Owosso Schools project

The Cook Family Foundation is proud to announce a $1.1 million commitment to the Owosso Public Schools for the completion of an auditorium in the new Owosso High School/Middle School building. “We believe we are at our best as a community when we come together to accomplish big tasks,” said Tom Cook, the Foundation’s Executive Director.  “When I think back over the last 25 years, I can think of no greater collaboration and no more important achievement than the passage of the Owosso Public Schools bond proposal on November 7, 2017.”

That bond measure provides funding for a multi-purpose performance space.  The grant from the Cook Family Foundation will fund enhancements to create a true auditorium for theatrical performances as well as band and choral concerts.

The enhancements include theater rigging and arbor pit, theatrical drapery and orchestra shell, lighting and audio visual equipment, and an orchestra pit with cover. “We believe the arts are a central component of a quality education, and this auditorium will enable excellence in the performing arts in Owosso,” said Tom Cook.

“The arts develop well-rounded individuals who are creative thinkers, communicators, and problem solvers,” notes Andrea Tuttle, Superintendent of the Owosso Public Schools.  “With a true auditorium Owosso students will have daily accessibility to a space that will foster cross-curricular learning to develop communication, technology, and public speaking skills,” notes Tuttle.

The Cook Family Foundation has a long history with the Owosso Schools.  It’s benefactor, Donald Cook, graduated from Owosso High School in 1920, as have several other family members. Two trustees of the Foundation, Jacqueline Cook and Laurie Caszatt Cook, previously served on the Owosso School Board. Trustee Anna Owens currently serves on the Performing Arts Committee.

Previously, the Foundation has provided grants for implementation and teacher training for the International Baccalaureate Program, mini-grants for classrooms, and landscaping.  In addition, the Foundation has provided over 150 scholarships to Owosso High School graduates to attend the University of Michigan.

The $1.1 million grant is extraordinary funding above and beyond the Foundation’s usual grant-making, which last year totaled $719,000.  “We are committed to the Shiawassee County community,” said Tom Cook. “We have no plans to scale back our support for early childhood and other educational endeavors, our Nonprofit Capacity Building Program, or environmental efforts centered around the Shiawassee River and the Saginaw Bay Watershed.”

To learn more about the bond project, contact the Owosso Public Schools

Elizabeth Hoornstra, of Chesaning, with Bruce and Jacqueline Cook

Again, the Cook Family Foundation is providing a scholarship to every high school senior from the greater Shiawassee County region attending the University of Michigan.  This fall, 19 young men and women from nine area high schools will enroll at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

The future Wolverines were recognized at a dinner on May 8.  Special guest at the event was Andrew Martin, Dean of the College of Literature, Science and the Arts (LS&A) at the University of Michigan.  Noting the talented scholarship recipients, the Dean said that “all of the students we admit to the University of Michigan bring a unique combination of talent, goals, ambitions, personality and passion.”

At the dinner, Elizabeth Hoornstra, the valedictorian of Chesaning Union High School, was awarded the Bruce & Jacqueline Cook Scholarship.  This four-year, full tuition scholarship is funded separately from the Foundation by its namesakes.  Elizabeth is the daughter of John and Jennifer Hoornstra, and plans to pursue a major in the social sciences, public health, or some other field where she can “create a difference in someone’s life.”

Hunter Glew, of Corunna, and Andrew Martin, Dean of LS&A

Hunter Glew, the valedictorian of Corunna High School, is the recipient of the Donald Cook Scholarship.  She intends to pursue research at the University of Michigan and major in neuroscience or psychology.  She is the daughter of Matthew and Cynthia Glew.

The Donald Cook Scholarship is awarded by the University of Michigan to a student
attending the College of Literature, Science and the Arts.  It has been financially supported by the Cook Family Foundation in recognition of the Foundation’s founder.  In 2017, the Foundation entered a multi-year funding agreement to endow the scholarship in perpetuity at the University.

Of the 19 scholarship recipients, seven of them are valedictorians.  In addition to Hoornstra and Glew, the co-valedictorians of Owosso High School (Usman Kahn and Sarah Landes) and the valedictorians of Perry (Jessica Beattie), Byron (Jordan Goodrich), and Laingsburg (Paden Graham) were all admitted to the University of Michigan.

Other scholarship winners were, from Chesaning, Sarah Minnis, Noah Moeggenberg, and Riley Russel; from Corunna, Kaylynn Crawford and Charity Cummings; from New Lothrop, Lauryn Bishop, Brayden Bitterman, Matthew Mignault, and Tyler Ruddy; from Owosso, Dalton Brown; and from Perry, Bradley Cronk and Destiny Crusan.

For more information on the Foundation’s scholarships, visit this page.