August 24, 2010

Darryl Parsell, Cooley Director of Alumni Relations, dies

With deep sadness I must report to you that our great friend and colleague, Darryl Parsell, died this morning after his long bout with brain cancer.

Darryl lived and breathed Cooley. He graduated as a member of Cooley's 1979 Wiest Class following his 1975 graduation from Michigan State University. After a distinguished career as a public prosecutor, Darryl was selected by Cooley Associate Dean Helen Mickens in 1993 to serve as our Director of Alumni Relations. He worked tirelessly to create our first formal Alumni Association, later guiding it through a complete reorganization. Without his dedicated support behind the scenes, his wise counsel, his organizational skills, his attendance at countless meetings and receptions around the nation, and his uncommon ability to nudge the alumni leadership to perform to the best of their ability, our alumni program would not have been possible.

The Executive Committee of the Alumni Association presented Darryl with the Distinguished Alumni Service Award in 2006 for his effective advocacy for both the law school and its graduates. The Association noted that his counsel, influence, and prudent concern for their welfare was always evident in everything he did.

The Cooley Board of Directors issued a Resolution of Appreciation in 2009 saluting Darryl on his devoted efforts to Cooley, its alumni, and its students. The Board remarked how Darryl was one of our chief ambassadors, meeting with alumni, donors, and friends wherever he went, connecting students with alumni mentors, writing articles to advance the School's reputation, and spreading the good word about Cooley.

Darryl was also recognized in 2006 by admission into the Thomas M. Cooley Society for his generous, personal philanthropic support.

But mostly, Darryl was known and loved by all of us for his high intelligence, his keen wit and biting sense of humor, his vast knowledge of things obscure and interesting, his fondness for worldly travel, and his devotion to friends and family alike. Only 58 years young, Darryl's passing has come too early. But he leaves all of us the better for having known him.

Darryl is survived by his mother, father, and three sisters. With them, Cooley plans to celebrate his life in a memorial service to be held here at the law school within the next few weeks.

The family has indicated that memorial contributions may be made to the law school for the benefit of the Alumni Memorial Scholarship Fund, in which Darryl was so instrumental in building. Arrangements are pending. The Alumni Office will circulate the details as we learn them.

James D. Robb,
Associate Dean of Development and General Counsel
(517) 371-5140