Feb. 18, 2006

Cooley Donors Honored at Gala Debut

(from left) Cooley graduate and major donor, Dennis Benner, great, great granddaughter of Thomas M. Cooley, Sue Sutherland, Mrs. Claudia Benner, and Cooley President Don LeDuc enjoy the Gala Debut celebration.

On Saturday, Feb. 18, Thomas M. Cooley Law School held its inaugural Cooley Society Gala Debut in the first floor of the Cooley Center on the law school's Lansing campus. The black-tie affair marked the first time in the school's 30-year history that donors have been recognized publicly for their support. Awards were given and a special guest for the evening was Thomas M. Cooley's great, great granddaughter, Sue Sutherland. Ms. Sutherland accepted an award on behalf of the Cooley family which recognized the family's support.

"It was an honor to be part of this splendid event," exclaimed Sutherland. "The family has been an avid supporter of this fine institution since it opened over 30 years ago and I feel priveleged that our contribution has made a difference in Cooley Law School's success today and in the future."

Pam Heos, Director of Development at Cooley, very much appreciated the long-term support of the Cooley family over the years and felt it was an honor to have her attend the gala event celebration.

"It was an honor and our pleasure to have a family member of the law school's namesake join us at our inaugural Cooley Society Gala celebration," stated Heos. "Ms. Sutherland is an important part of the Cooley Law School family history."

In addition to the awards that were given during the evening, a donor wall was unveiled. James Robb, Associate Dean of Development and Alumni Relations, said, "The beautiful donor wall - our "Wall of Honor" - gives the entire law school community an opportunity to thank and recognize the generous gifts of alumni, faculty, staff, law firms, and friends of Cooley Law School. Many of these donors have supported Cooley from its inception and they have expressed excitement at what the law school has become."

Cooley's new appellate courtroom on the fifth floor of the Cooley Center will be dedicated to Cooley graduate Dennis Benner. Benner, who practices law in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, said, "I am grateful to this outstanding school that allowed me the chance to become a lawyer. This is where I punched my ticket to practice law. I love Cooley and its students and faculty and am glad to be able to express my appreciation for all that Cooley did for me."

Founded in 1972, Cooley Law School is the largest law school in the country. Cooley has the second-largest enrollment in African-American students of any law school and the highest number of minorities overall in the United States. Cooley has three campuses across Michigan; its main campus in downtown Lansing, its downtown Grand Rapids/Western Michigan University campus in west Michigan, and its Rochester/Oakland University campus in southeast Michigan. In addition to the J.D. program, students at Cooley can also pursue an LL.M. in Tax or Intellectual Property. Find out more about Cooley Law School by visiting the Cooley Web site at www.cooley.edu.