Scholarship Nominees (and several parents) attended a University of Michigan Information Event, held at the Owosso Country Club.      Photo credit: Michael D-L Jordan/DLP

Forty-seven of Shiawassee County region’s most academically accomplished high school seniors have been nominated for scholarships to the University of Michigan by the Cook Family Foundation.  One of these students will be selected to receive a four-year, full-tuition, scholarship from Bruce and Jacqueline Cook.

While current COVID-19 restrictions prevented the Cook Family Foundation from hosting a trip to visit the University of Michigan, an outdoor information event was held at the Owosso Country Club for all nominees. The event featured virtual presentations from former scholarship winners, as well as from U-M Admissions Officer, Sam Joustra.  This virtual “tour” covered various parts of both the University’s campus and the city of Ann Arbor, the different U-M Schools and provided important information regarding not only the application process, but also regarding financial aid. 

SEDP President/CEO, Justin Horvath, shares his personal U of M journey with Bruce and Jacqueline Cook Scholarship Nominees.                     Photo credit: Michael D-L Jordan/DLP

Special guest speaker, Justin Horvath, President/CEO of the Shiawassee Economic Development Partnership (SEDP), described his personal college search experience and ultimate University of Michigan attendance, noting “You’re all great students, and no matter where you choose to attend college, the University of Michigan or elsewhere, please consider coming back to the Shiawassee Region and putting that top-notch education to work in your own community.”

“We want to make sure the leaders and the best among local high school students seriously consider the University of Michigan for the next level of education,” said Foundation President Bruce Cook.  “We are committed to the academic success of local students, and are committed to building partnerships with our public schools and our oldest public university.”

Each of the nominees will receive at least a $3,000 scholarship to the University of Michigan from the Cook Family Foundation.  The Cook Family Foundation annually provides a scholarship to any student from the greater Shiawassee region admitted to the University of Michigan.  In addition to scholarships to help students attend the University of MIchigan in Ann Arbor, the Foundation now also provides scholarships to Shiawassee area students who meet the criteria for  the Honors College at UM-Flint or UM-Dearborn.  For assistance applying to UM, or for more information on scholarships, contact the Foundation or visit: cookfamilyfoundation.org/scholarships

If they apply and are admitted to the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, the following students will be considered for the Bruce and Jacqueline Cook scholarship: from Byron: Jenna Belmas, Evan Glennie, Sarah Marvin, and Regan Kopesky; from Chesaning:  Drew Beckman, Olivia Distelrath, Ethan Kohagen, Allison Oakes, and Weston Powell; from Corunna:  Lauren Aurand and Elizabeth Forbes; from Durand:  Elijah Beland, Goldyn Graham, Isaac Hager, Aidan Loos, Brynn Patsey, and Caila Zusack; from Laingsburg:  Cameron Allen, Abigail Atkinson, Alexandria Claus, Autumn Eyre, Grace Graham, Sierra Price, Ethan Regan, and Dawson Shastal; from New Lothrop:  Grace Adelberg, Matthew Bishop, Drew Kohlmann, Makayla Lienau, Macy Matthews, Jillian Rau, and Danielle Wendling; from Ovid-Elsie:  Abigail Cooper and Jordan Hitchens; from Owosso:  Kelsey Andrykovich, Ethan Coons, Tyler Hoag, Silas Krajniak, William Lavigne, Elizabeth Tolrud, Reyn Tuttle, and Sierra Wisely; and from Perry: Emma Cochrane, Rachel Follman, Parker Lewis, Ethan Smith, and Kyle Taft.

Past recipients of the Bruce and Jackie Cook Scholarship have included Mason Collard from Owosso and Kyah Ribble from Perry in 2020, Autumn Zwiernik from Laingsburg in 2019, Tyson Moore from Corunna in 2018, Elizabeth Hoornstra from Chesaning in 2017, Mitchell Lawrence from Byron in 2016, Nick Miller from Laingsburg in 2015, Nolan Wendling from New Lothrop in 2014, Emily Feuka from Perry in 2013, Sam Whaley from Perry in 2012, Adam Stewart from Laingsburg in 2011, Valerie Foster (Micol) from Byron in 2010, Adam Dingens from Corunna in 2009, Randy Piper from Owosso in 2008, Dan Frechtling from Perry in 2007 and Kendra Frye of Owosso in 2006.