For the Greater Good

The Cook Family Foundation

OVERVIEW AND HISTORY: A Partnership Approach

The Cook Family Foundation was created by Donald and Florenceetta Cook out of their desire to do good. This philanthropy continues as a testament to their values of hospitality, investment in the future, and loyalty to people and place.

Incorporated in 1979, the Cook Family Foundation received its IRS 501(c)(3) status as a private foundation in 1980. The foundation serves as both a resource for the Shiawassee County community and as a catalyst for positive change. It seeks to establish partnerships with nonprofits and other institutions, and through communication with the leaders of those organizations, identify mutual objectives and grant opportunities.

Board of Directors:

Thomas Cook – Secretary & Treasurer

Bailey Cook – Trustee

Jacqueline Cook – Trustee

Paul Cook – Trustee

Anna Owens – Trustee

Susie Phillips – Trustee

Matthew Van Epps – Trustee

OUR VISION:

We envision a diverse, healthy and thriving community where all children have access to the best education, the natural environment is protected and enjoyed, and all people have the opportunity and support to build joyful, meaningful lives.

OUR MISSION:

The Cook Family Foundation, a multigenerational family foundation based in Owosso, Michigan, collaborates with organizations to support education, the environment, the arts, and community stewardship. We work to be a catalyst for positive community change to promote a more equitable society.

OUR VALUES: Be Inclusive:

We are welcoming to all. We build relationships with people through sharing our collective and unique experiences so that we can collaborate respectfully and use our resources to address disparities across our community.

Have Integrity:

We keep our promises. We value partnerships and collaboration – both require being honest, trustworthy and reliable. We engage in ethical and transparent business practices and expect that of others we work with.

Make True Impact:

Through big and small investments of money, time, talent and energy, we work with willing partners to improve our community and our collective future. We use our resources effectively and efficiently, measuring results and outcomes.

Henderson Allen Master of Public Administration, 2011

Henderson works for the State of Michigan as a forensic security supervisor at the State of MichiganCenter for Forensic Psychiatry. Asked to share news about his professional life, Henderson said, “After graduating with my MPA, opportunities for growth in my profession increased tremendously. The confidence I gained while a student at UM-Flint also helped me venture into the entrepreneurial field, starting High Quality Services LLC. HQS provides CPR training and certification classes for businesses, schools and individuals in Grand Blanc, Michigan, and surrounding areas (hqscpr.com).”

Joshua Daunt

Communication, 2002

Owner, Undaunted Visuals Video, Photography and Post-Production (undauntedvisuals.com)

Josh is a multi-Emmy Award winning videographer and editor who has worked for 20 years in TV news at stations in Flint and Detroit. Now a freelancer at WDIV in Detroit, his “mostly” post-production company, Undaunted Visuals, offers a wide range of photography options, from senior pictures and family portraits, to business photos and real estate photography. Asked how UM-Flint shaped his career, Josh said, “By getting waitlisted for several computer science classes sophomore year, I randomly chose an introduction to journalism class. I then signed up to write for the student newspaper, The Michigan Times, when the professor, Donna Ulrich, offered to give extra credit if our articles were published. Since I had no idea what I was getting into, I figured I’d need the extra credit. I fell in love with journalism and storytelling and wound up with a long career in TV news.”

Ross Emerton Computer Science, 1985

“Be sure to expand your horizons. It is education – not training – that makes you succeed.”

’85

Ross is employed by Oracle as senior managing director, Cloud Engineering. Throughout his career, Ross has held senior management and executive positions maximizing business value using technology as an enabler. Asked if he had a mentor at UM-Flint, Ross said, “Dr. Alfred Raphelson –although I was a computer science major, I took every class that Dr. Raphelson offered each semester. As I grew in my career, I discovered that what I learned about human behavior was more important than what I learned about computer programming. I am truly grateful for what I learned from Dr. Raphelson.”

Katie (Graham) Timmerman Marketing, 2010

“I was dual enrolled as a high school student and loved the courses and faculty. The University of Michigan reputation for being Leaders and Best was also a deciding factor for me.”

Janay Johnson

Communication –

Margee Nickola History, 2020

Media

Studies, 2017 Janay’s advice to students: “If you are enrolling, get involved. Make new friends. The people you meet and the things you do help make your experience great.”

Asked how UM-Flint shaped her career Janay said, “I always had work on campus while a student. The courses I took helped me learn how to facilitate conversation with people from every background. It was essential to me becoming who I am. All of the campus jobs I held as a student gave me experience for the job I have now!”

Tiffany Quinn Social Work, 2009

Among Tiffany’s favorite campus memories is hip-hop artist Common’s 2008 performance in Lot A.

Dr. Tiffany Quinn is a master social worker, life coach and author. Asked how UM-Flint shaped her career, she replied, “UM-Flint was quite immersive and a new chapter of my life. I am honored and proud that I found the courage as a non-traditional single mother, and transfer student, who graduated with a Michigan degree. UM-Flint helped shape and led me to where I am today. The university helped me build resilience and challenged me to broaden my ideas about mental health and community, and provided me with opportunities to learn and work in both vulnerable and multicultural groups.”

Dr. Quinn’s advice to those thinking about enrolling at UM-Flint: “It's totally up to you to work hard, trust the process, and believe that you can do it and you will!”

Owner of The Black Hive Co. (blackhiveco.com)

“I love history! Now I purchase history, restore it, and let others enjoy it!”

The Black Hive Co. is a wedding design, service, and rental company based out of Genesee County, Michigan. Among the company’s core values is understanding and delivering what their customers want. Asked what advice she would give someone thinking about enrolling at UM-Flint, Margee said, “DO IT . . . The best option around.”

Deandra Robinson Health Care Administration, 2022

“UM-Flint is a great school and I love how I was treated while attending the university. It was close to home and I received a great education.”

An experienced and self-motivated health care professional, Deandra prides herself on providing an outstanding level of care while establishing a positive rapport with her patients, visitors, staff and supervisors.

Jeff Roth Elementary Education, 1996 Founder, Arbor Advising (arboradvising.com)

When asked to share how UM-Flint impacted his career, Jeff said, “The academic and career preparation and close relationships with my professors.”

Jeff went on to share, “As a public school science teacher for 25 years, I’m on a mission to prove that real estate ownership and investing is financially accessible and deeply desirable for regular folks – and not just an exclusive practice of the super wealthy. My own journey in real estate investing was borne out of necessity to supplement my income from teaching.”

’14

Stephanie Speck English, 2014

“All of this started with my degree from UM-Flint.” Following graduation, Stephanie spent five years teaching English to various ages of children in Japan. She moved back to the U.S. as the pandemic struck, completed a master’s degree online while quarantined, and teaches in a middle school. Stephanie is currently studying coding so that she can be a developer if she so chooses.

Sunzia Sultana Master of Science in Computer Science & Information Systems, 2021

When asked what advice she would give to someone thinking about enrolling at UM-Flint, Sunzia said, “I would encourage anyone who is thinking about enrolling at UM-Flint to do so because your degree will open doors.”

Sunzia is currently working as a software engineer at AeroTrain Corporation. She is also a part-time lecturer in the College of Innovation & Technology at UM-Flint.

Emanee Walker Psychology, 2020 “UM-Flint was my dream school and it was close to home.”

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Emanee is in the process of completing her master’s degree in higher education/student affairs at Eastern Michigan University, obtaining an academic advising certificate, and fulfilling an academic advising internship at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. Asked about her mentors while at the University of Michigan-Flint, Emanee replied, "Sara Cyrus helped me with my financial aid and was very understanding. Nicole Altheide was the BEST academic advisor I have ever had; she made sure I was taken care of. Chris DeEulis changed my perspective on student affairs. I admired Chris, and still keep in contact with him.”

“With each century comes new challenges, and the 21st century is no exception. Today, Leaders and Best are being called upon to build relationships, develop people, lead change, inspire others, think critically, communicate clearly and create accountability.”

– Chancellor Dutta

Congratulations to the following members of the University of Michigan-Flint community on being recognized among Flint and Genesee's rising professionals, entrepreneurs, and influencers!

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