WMU-Cooley Alumni News Alumni Memorial Scholarship

After a long three-year pandemic-induced delay, the WMU-Cooley Alumni Association was able to sponsor a United States Supreme Court group bar admission event. On March 28, nine WMU-Cooley alumni were admitted to the United States Supreme Court bar in an open court session. If you would like to participate in a future U.S. Supreme Court group admission, please email alumni@cooley.edu.

Those present were: Lucas Smith-Marin (2015, McLean Class), Matthew Landry (2012, Washington Class), Matthew SmithMarin (2013, Moore Class), President & Dean McGrath, Tammy Browing-Smith (2000, Jay Class), Patrick Fuller (1985, Smith Class), Dalton Carty (2016, Hughes Class). Front Row: Sarah Anderson (2014, Livingston Class) Christina Jeter (2015, Trimble Class), Stephanie Walczak (2014, Todd Class).

WMU-Cooley’s Distinguished Student Award is given each semester to outstanding graduating students selected based upon a combination of academic accomplishment, demonstrated professionalism and leadership at WMU-Cooley, meaningful extra-curricular activities, and post-graduation plans. The recipients are selected by the Scholarship and Awards Committee of the WMU-Cooley Alumni Association. Each recipient receives a diploma frame engraved with their name, date, and the name of the award.

During the 2023 Hilary Term, Tyrone Laury, Samira Montlouis, and Jessica Sivillo, were recognized with the Award.

In March, the WMU-Cooley Alumni Association continued its tradition of presenting awards from the Alumni Memorial Scholarship fund to deserving students. Since presenting its first two scholarship awards in 1989, the Association has awarded over $154,000 to students based on need, character, and potential to become an outstanding lawyer. It is often awarded to students in their second or third year of law school.

This year’s recipients were (from top): Hannah Murphy, a third-year student from Flushing, MI attends the Lansing campus; Carly Ovitt, a second-year student from Hadley, NY attends the Lansing campus; Michala Ringquist, a second-year student from Grand Haven, MI attends the Lansing campus; Elpiniki (Nikki) Roussos, a third-year student from New Port Richey, FL attends the Tampa Bay campus.

Since May 2020, WMU-Cooley has been proud to host the WMU-Cooley Community Conversations special virtual event series featuring many top professors and legal experts who speak on important topics impacting society and our legal system. Thank you to the following distinguished panels and experts who have presented January through May 2023. We thank them for being part of the conversations and solutions we face today. If you missed any of the WMU-Cooley Community Conversations virtual events, you can find them under the Playlist for Community Conversations on the law school’s official YouTube page.

MLK DAY OF REMEMBRANCE

On Jan. 17, keynote speaker Robyn McCoy recalled the life of Martin Luther King Jr. and spoke about how people today can advance his vision of social justice in our community. McCoy graduated with Honors from the University of Chicago and was mentored by First Lady Michelle Obama.

In honor of Black History Month, WMU-Cooley Law School hosted a Community Conversation on Feb. 23 with Zenell B. Brown, Esq. author of Coffee and Conversations: Inclusion and Belonging. She is one of our legal profession’s most sought out speakers and trainers of leadership and inclusion.

FACING HURRICANE DESTRUCTION

WMU-Cooley Law School’s Tampa Bay campus student chapter of the Florida State Bar Real Property, Probate, and Trust Section, and the 10CORE® Law Society hosted a Community Conversation virtual forum called “Redevelopment After Destruction for Tenants and Homeowners” on March 18. The two-part forum featured sessions for homeowners and tenants.

ASIAN AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, WMU-Cooley Law School hosted keynote speaker WMU-Cooley graduate Mark S. Chang, Senior Manager, Specialty Compliance and Ethics, on May 24. Chang spoke on the history of Asian Americans, their contributions, culture, and achievements, and the challenges for Asian Americans today.