July 27, 2011

Cooley Law School Presents Inaugural Student Great Deeds Award

Heather Spielmaker and Shane Goodale

The first-ever Lansing campus recipient of Cooley Law School’s Student Great Deeds Award was recognized this month at the school’s Honors Convocation. Shane Goodale, accompanied by family members, received the award for a variety of volunteer endeavors.

Shane is the founder of Cooley's Open Door Ministry Assistance Project where pro bono legal services are offered to those in need. Open Door is an organization whose primary focus is providing sustenance, counseling, assistance, and love to those who find themselves in difficult circumstances.  Goodale’s program has not only helped dozens of Lansing residents, but has also created many pro bono opportunities for his classmates at Cooley.

Goodale also donates his time to Meridian Township as a member of the Planning Commission, and serves on the board of directors for Stormfield Theater.

The award is presented by The Center for Ethics, Service, and Professionalism at Cooley Law School, which has long recognized members of the Cooley staff and faculty who go above and beyond in the area of community service through the Great Deeds Award program. The Cooley Student Great Deeds Award will now be given to up to one student per term from each campus.  The award will recognize students who have made significant contributions to their communities through either sustained service or through a single extraordinary act.

Cooley Law School is the largest law school in the nation.  Founded in 1972, the private, non-profit law school operates J.D. programs across Michigan in Lansing, Auburn Hills, Grand Rapids and Ann Arbor.  Today, Cooley Law School has more than 15,000 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.