Sam Whaley enjoys success at UM, and abroad

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Sam Whaley, the 2012 recipient of the Bruce & Jacqueline Cook Scholarship, is graduating this spring, and will then be headed to graduate school in Chicago.  After helping out on a study abroad program in Spain this spring, Sam will start a 10 month program at Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management.  He has received a $25,000 scholarship to help him get his degree in Management Studies.

The Perry High School graduate, was recently one of only 30 students recognized as an James B Angell scholar for seven or more consecutive semesters. UM President Mark Schlissel and Provost Martha Pollock personally congratulated Sam for receiving all A’s while taking a full course load throughout his entire undergraduate experience.

Sam majored in International Studies with a concentration on Global Health and the Environment as well as Romance Languages: Spanish and French.  His academic interests were perhaps sparked by overseas programs in high school that were in part funded through the Shiawassee Scholars program.  During his undergraduate education, Sam took advantage of study abroad options and travelled to Spain, France, and Argentina.

At Michigan, Sam served on the executive board for Timmy Global Health, a student organization that advocates for global health, fundraises for the chapter’s partner in the Dominican Republic, and volunteers regularly on campus and annually in Mao, their partner city. He was also a research assistant at the Center for Sexuality and Health Disparities in the School of Nursing and School of Public Health and worked at the Center for Global and Intercultural Study (LSA’s study abroad office) as a Peer Adviser.

“We are very proud of Sam’s accomplishments at the University of Michigan,” said Foundation President Bruce Cook.  “When we met him at Perry High School, we knew he would go on to do great things.  He has represented Shiawassee County well in Ann Arbor and around the world. We look forward his next great accomplishment.”

NonProfit Workshops in 2016

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Ar386480_305655069471455_571129733_ne you a board member, volunteer or staff member of a Shiawassee nonprofit organization?  Then the upcoming workshops offered through the NonProfit Capacity Building program are for you.  Designed to improve the effectiveness of your organization, the workshops will provide helpful ideas and advice about volunteer management, fundraising on-line, grant-writing and leadership at both the board and staff level. Workshops are three-hours long, offered at a variety of times, and include a meal.  A schedule and description of workshops can be found on our “events” page.  There is no charge for members of the Shiawassee Nonprofit Capacity Building Program to attend these workshops.  This page describes the program and its eligibility requirements. Existing members are listed here.

Financial Aid Workshop January 18

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1978896_10152568144744232_8367881271452503021_nApplying for financial aid is perhaps the most important, and most complex, task many a high school senior will undertake.  To help academically talented students sort through this process, the Cook Family Foundation is holding a workshop on Monday, January 18 from 7-9 p.m. at the Baker College Welcome Center.

A representative from the University of Michigan Office of Financial Aid will provide important information about qualifying for financial aid, as well as some useful tips on making college more affordable.  U-M is the only public university in Michigan to cover 100 percent of demonstrated financial need of in-state students (learn more here)

While the workshop will provide particular insight to financial aid from the University of Michigan, the presentation will be applicable no matter what four-year university a student ends up attending. The first step for any prospective college student is to fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), the form used by all institutions of higher learning. To qualify for financial aid from UM, students and their families will also need to complete a CSS Profile.

Students and/or their parents are invited to attend the January 18 workshop.  While it is not necessary to RSVP, please contact us if you have questions (989-725-1621 or bruce@cookfamilyfoundation.org). To keep up-to-date on financial aid, scholarships, and other UM information follow us on Twitter @GoBlueGoBruce