July 10, 2009

Cooley Awards $11,000 to Six Michigan Schools

The 10th annual Cooley 5K Race for Education provides unexpected funding for
everything from new technology to gym equipment

The Thomas M. Cooley Law School today announced that Michigan schools will receive a combined total of approximately $11,000 as part of the 10th annual Cooley 5K Race for Education.  Each year, 5K participants nominate a school of their choice for funding support and Cooley randomly selects six winners that are awarded a percentage of the total race proceeds.

The 2009 Cooley 5K Race for Education award winners are:

* Approximately $5,000 to Alaiedon Elementary School, Mason (50 percent winner, nominated by Patrick O’Connor)
* Approximately $2,500 to Okemos High School (25 percent winner, nominated by Jess Sobel)
* Approximately $1,000 to Kendon Elementary, Lansing (10 percent winner, nominated by Joanne Olin)
* Approximately $1,000 to Grace Lutheran Daycare, Leslie (10 percent winner, nominated by Kelsey Schroeder)
* Approximately $500 to Mason High School (5 percent winner, nominated by Brenda Clark)

Fowler Public Schools (nominated by Sharon Becker) received the $1,000 Cooley award, which is donated by Cooley and awarded to a school in addition to the distribution of race proceeds.

“We are absolutely thrilled and excited to be a Cooley 5K Race for Education winner,” said Alaiedon Elementary School Principal Marcy Kinzer. “We will use the money to expand classroom technology and enhance our playground and gymnasium equipment.”

Award money also will be used to fund guest speakers, special programs for students, teacher seminars and supplemental textbooks at Okemos High School. Grace Lutheran Child Care Center plans to use its funds to upgrade computer technology for its preschool and afterschool programs.

“In this economy, it is especially gratifying to provide schools with unexpected funds,” said Terry Carella, race director and Cooley’s director of communications. “Since its inception, the Cooley 5K Race for Education has raised more than $80,000 to support education, and we are so happy that it continues to grow.”

Overall race winners were Dan Dixon of Jackson with a time of 16:22 minutes (overall male winner) and Sharon Becker of Fowler with a time of 19:47 minutes (overall female winner). Master’s winners (ages 40-49) were Steve Menovcik of Grand Ledge with a time of 16:45 minutes (male Master’s winner) and Chris Vincent of Jackson with a time of 20:08 minutes (female Master’s winner).

Cooley Law School is the largest law school in the nation.  Founded in 1972, it operates J.D. programs across Michigan in Ann Arbor, Auburn Hills, Grand Rapids and Lansing.  Today, Cooley Law School has more than 13,000 graduates across the nation and worldwide and also offers joint degree and master of laws programs.  Cooley offers enrollment three times a year; in January, May and September.   Additional information about Cooley can be found at cooley.edu.