Cook Family Foundation

Recently, the University of Michigan produced this report on the work of the Cook Family Foundation to support students from Shiawassee County to attend UofM.  In one important case, serving a student also served our community.  Here is the story:

After nearly 40 years of giving support and scholarships, the Cook family has made it possible for hundreds of students from rural Shiawassee County to attend the University of Michigan and other state colleges.  It’s an accomplishment many of the teens-turned-Cook-Scholars doubted would ever come or never saw for themselves.

“People grow up in outstate Michigan. They’re first-generation college students. … They have no idea what their opportunities in life might turn out to be. It’s our job to help them reach that potential,” said Bruce Cook, U-M alumnus and president of The Cook Family Foundation. He is the son of Donald Cook, also a U-M graduate and founder of the foundation.

The Cook Family Foundation provides that help by identifying promising high school students, exposing them to college options, walking them through the application and decision process, and awarding scholarships and assistance in accessing financial aid.

Because several Cook family members are U-M grads, they urge students to strongly consider their alma mater. Many go on to attend U-M. Others don’t. But they all are brought to U-M’s campus each year—usually a batch of 20-25 high school seniors—for an overnight visit. They get an up-close look and an explanation of what they’ll find at U-M.

Besides the scholars program, the foundation is behind several projects meant to improve economic conditions and lives of residents of the mid-Michigan community. Shiawassee’s economy is fed by a mix of farming and industry, and is becoming more diversified. The county is on an economic upswing after many years of struggles and lack of opportunities. Still, less than 17 percent of Shiawassee County residents hold a bachelor’s degree. That also is changing.

Justin Horvath was a Cook Scholar in the 1990s. He chose U-M. He earned a degree in economics and went on to obtain two master’s degrees. He also chose to put his education to use in his hometown and to support it as the Cooks do. He is president and CEO of the Shiawassee Economic Development Partnership.

“Not that I couldn’t be successful in a career somewhere else, but knowing that you can help your hometown, your home community, the people you know, the people you love, to help support them, to grow the local economy and give them a better place, a better quality of life is really, really important to me,” Horvath said. He returned to Shiawassee in 2003 after graduating from the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, where he had also interned.

He is grateful to Bruce Cook and for his experience as a Cook Scholar and to be back contributing to the betterment of Shiawassee County. He said he wants other Cook Scholars to consider doing the same. “We have so much to offer…my hope and my focus is they consider coming back home when they graduate,” Horvath said.

The Cook Family Foundations wants success for both our best nonprofits and for our best students. We support community organizations through the NonProfit Capacity Building program, and we provide scholarships to the University of Michigan for graduates of ten area high schools.  We also strive to bring these two program efforts together by supporting internships in Shiawassee County.

Our goal is to bring talented young people back to our community for a summer’s employment.  This helps nonprofits by providing them with the best and the brightest to help with a definable project. This helps students by giving them an opportunity put their skills to work, learn more about their community from a new perspective, and gain additional financial support for their continued education. Here are accounts from recent internships:

Hunter Glew – helping out with the Children’s Summer Adventure Camp at the Shiawassee Arts Center.

Shiawassee Arts Center Welcomed Intern, Hunter Glew

University of Michigan Sophomore and 2017 Corunna High School Graduate, Hunter Glew, spent her summer helping the Shiawassee Arts Center’s Arts Education Director, Linda Ruehle, to plan and implement classes for both the senior’s and children’s art program. Hunter is studying Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience. She intends to eventually attain a doctoral degree to work as a professor and researcher with a focus on deaf culture, or her new-found interest–art therapy. Hunter noted, “I’ve now been able to see firsthand how the various art programs can take students away from outside stresses, and how it can create an outlet for all those participating.  I am so thankful to have helped create that for so many people this summer.

Here’s Anna Clarizio (in pink) – during The Arc Summer Camp with (from L-R) Jesse McGuire, Allison Grubb, and Jonathan Hannifan at Junction of Hope Restaurant in Chesaning.

Summer Camp Help at the Arc Shiawassee from Intern, Anna Clarizio

Anna Clarizio, a Senior at Central Michigan University working toward a career in Special Education, interned with The Arc Shiawassee–assisting with the planning and execution of every aspect of the camp program.  “Anna was a vital part of our six-week day camp for teens and adults with developmental disabilities this summer,” announced Executive Director, Lynn Grubb.  “Without Anna, our program would not have been as successful.  We are hopeful she will come back next summer and take over as Camp Program Director.”

Madison Van Epps (R) and Terry Horton (L) working the HepA outreach booth for the Shiawassee County Health Department.

 Madison Van Epps – Shiawassee County Health Department Intern

University of Michigan Senior and Owosso High School graduate, Madison Van Epps, got involved in many aspects of the Shiawassee County Health Department this summer.  Madison was responsible for the social media campaign in the county’s quest to raise awareness about Hepatitis A, as well as the data entry.  In addition, she also handled the department’s “How did you hear about us” family planning survey, and enhanced the department’s social media and community presence by creating an Instagram account, as well as posters and videos, and even some give-aways.   Another key duty involved interviewing local community stakeholders in order to conduct a needs assessment regarding what the Health Department could help with in the ongoing county problem of obesity.  And lastly, Madison designed a new poster and rack card to give away at outreach events with the local SafeCenter called, Smart 911. “She did it all!” notes Larry Johnson, Shiawassee County Health Department Director. 

Harrison Miller (Center) with Justin Horvath, SEDP President/CEO (L) and Brent Jones (R), Vice President at the newly refurbished Armory.

Meet Harrison Miller, Shiawassee Economic Development Partnership Summer Intern

Harrison Miller, a rising Junior at the University of Michigan studying Business Administration with an emphasis in marketing, got a chance to put some of his learning experience to work with the Shiawassee Economic Development Partnership (SEDP) throughout the summer. His projects included a major update of the organization’s website, and Harrison also provided research development for the organization in support of upcoming programming.  President/CEO, Justin Horvath, shared, “Thanks to Harrison Miller for being part of the SEDP team this summer. We enjoyed having him as our intern, and are grateful for his contributions to our program.”