Center for Ethics, Service, and Professionalism

Congratulations to the winners of the Great Deeds Award for 2007

Fred Puffenberger - Lansing Campus

Things you might not know about Fred:

• Former president of the National Association of College Stores and now central board member of the National Association of College Auxiliary Services.
• Board of directors and volunteer for Hospice of Lansing.
• Board of directors of Child and Family Services of the Capital Area.
• Volunteer on the Michigan Foster Care Review Board Program administered by the State Court Administrator's Office of the Michigan Supreme Court.
• He has his own baseball card.
• He has put a golfball through a moving train car and a shopping center.

Martha Moore - Auburn Hills

From sock drives to meal preparation, Martha is always willing to help out with a good cause. This year Martha has been especially involved with the Interim House (a domestic violence shelter in Detroit), and she has set a wonderful example of community service for the students she brings along.
In addition, Martha has taken on a leadership role in promoting character development in Pontiac schools, helping young students write and perform skits about manners and speaking to older students about Kid Crimes.

Martha further advocates ethical behavior as secretary of the Attorney Grievance Commission. And I have heard that Martha even hosted 50 Cooley BALSA students in her home for a five course, home cooked meal.

Nelson Miller - Grand Rapids

Since 1999, Nelson has helped low income and minority communities in Muskegon, Benton Harbor, and Grand Rapids with their legal needs through his pro bono service. At last count, he had assisted approximately 1,000 individuals. He not only met with clients but kept records and created a manual and guide to help non-profit centers seek funding and evaluate the needs of their constituents. His actions have helped 48 non-profit organizations to offer recreation, mentoring, housing and food pantries services to their clients. Nelson is also the author of many legal publications, serves on various boards and is active in the State Bar as a member of the Representative Assembly and the Equal Access Initiative Committee.

Great Deeds Award - Past Recipients

Tony Alvarado, Deputy Director of Admissions - Michaelmas Term 2007

I have been asked to give a synopsis of Tony Alvarado’s service to The Thomas M. Cooley Law School and the surrounding community, and I am honored to do so. Due to space and time limitations, I am not able to list ALL of Tony’s worthwhile accomplishments, but I will attempt to mention a few of his more notable achievements:

Cooley for Kids

Tony, by mere default, has become a Cooley ambassador of sorts. One of Tony’s worthwhile causes is the Cooley for Kids campaign. Tony not only prompts the Cooley community to become involved, he also makes us aware of the children in our city who may not have had the opportunity to partake in one of life’s simple pleasures – a baseball game. He motivates the employees and students to give from their hearts to sponsor children in our community for a Lugnuts game so they may experience a warm afternoon at Olds Stadium and taste a real ballpark frank. He works with the Student Bar Association and gives them the opportunity to get involved in efforts to raise money for this worthwhile campaign. Over the years, Tony has kept the Cooley family motivated, and together we have sent over 1000 local children to the game.

C.A.H.E.N. Award

Tony is very active with the Capital Area Higher Education Network (C.A.H.E.N.). C.A.H.E.N is a non-profit organization that acknowledges an outstanding adult learner from each member school who goes above and beyond the “norms” of what a “typical” college student might offer. Tony, as it turns out, is not only the Cooley Representative for this group, he is the President of the organization. Nominations for this award are sought from faculty and staff of the various member schools. Once the nominations have been submitted, the C.A.H.E.N. Selection Committee then decides upon a winner. Once the winner from each member school is announced, a reception for the award winners and their families is hosted by Cooley. This reception, because of the merits and accomplishments of the recipients, is referred to by Tony as a true “love fest” among the attendees.

Cooley Race for Education

Tony gives of his time and energy to support the Cooley Race for Education. His efforts toward the success of this program are tireless. Tony has been a part of the volunteer staff since the race’s inception, and now assists as a committee chair. He never has to be asked to help out – he’s just there and does what it takes to make the race fun for everyone involved.

Other Involvements

Some of Tony’s other involvements include: The Greater Lansing Boys and Girls Club (he has raised hundreds of dollars for this organization), Big Brothers/Big Sisters, the Cooley Tsunami Relief Fund, the Red Cross Empty Bowls campaign, Loaves and Fishes Homeless Shelter, and his church’s fundraising efforts.

On a personal note, Tony owns a home in Portland and has enjoyed living there for many years. Tony has an extremely large extended family that loves and appreciates him. They all are very proud of Tony and his many accomplishments.

Tony has worked for The Thomas M. Cooley Law School for 25+ years. His loyalty and dedication to his job, most especially to the students, cannot be compared. Tony Alvarado is one of the kindest, most caring individuals I know. I am very proud to call him my friend.

-Jill Pullum

Joan Vestrand, Assistant Dean and Professor - Trinity Term 2007

Please join the Center for Ethics, Service, and Professionalism in congratulating this term’s Great Deeds Award winner, Assistant Dean and Professor Joan Vestrand.

Joan and Professor Martha Moore have developed an academic and personal success program in cooperation with Pontiac Northern High School in Oakland County.

This initiative began with a program on character, conduct, and personal success that Dean Vestrand presented to incoming 9th grade students in conjunction with the district’s new 9th grade academy. It developed into a "Success on Saturdays" program two Saturdays each month that is open to Pontiac Northern students and their parents. Cooley students from the Oakland BLSA chapter and the Oakland SBA are helping Dean Vestrand and Professor Moore with this program. The Saturday program focuses on personal success, including academic success, and also involves community service.

Pontiac Northern officials, along with the students and their parents, are thrilled about this program. Parents are attending the Saturday sessions with their children, and are as excited as their children, if not more so, about writing personal codes of conduct, making commitments about the education of their children, and making promises about their lifestyles.

Because of this very generous contribution of time and dedication to the young people of Pontiac, Joan was nominated by many of her colleagues for the Great Deeds Award. This award, which was the idea of Professor Judy Frank, hopes to recognize staff and faculty at Cooley who go above and beyond in the area of community service.

Jill Pullum - Hilary Term 2007

Jill Pullum is a Cooley community service treasure. Jill will be receiving her 25th anniversary recognition this year and has served this institution in many capacities including assistant to Dean LeDuc and secretary to many lucky professors.

But being a wonderful wife and mother and working full-time just isn’t enough to keep Jill satisfied. Jill has a laundry list of public service under her belt, and it is for that reason that she was promptly nominated for the Great Deeds award by both Dean Amy Timmer and Professor Judy Frank. Amy Timmer says that she nominated Jill because “Jill has a heart of gold.” Judy Frank echoed that sentiment and added that she couldn’t “think of anyone at Cooley more deserving of this award.” Kristin Taylor is happy to see Jill recognized for her service, and adds introducing her to her husband to Jill’s list of “Great Deeds.”

Over the years Jill has been active in the PTO at various Grand Ledge area schools. Aside from assisting with administrative duties, she has partnered with her beautiful daughter Bailey to become a fund-raising powerhouse. With the support of the Cooley community, Jill and Bailey have won top-seller gift certificates every year, which Bailey uses to buy holiday gifts for under-privileged children.

Jill is also a 4-H leader and volunteer. While this position requires a great deal of training and commitment, Jill enjoys teaching the students to cook, caroling to seniors as a group over the holidays, and helping organize the Eaton County Fair.

Jill also acts as a volunteer coordinator for her church’s concession stand at MSU Women’s Basketball events. Money raised is used to send children to summer camp and to support other worthwhile causes.

Cooley is fortunate to have this particular employee interacting with so many groups and individuals, as she has become quite an ambassador for the law school. Jill loves her job, and everyone who knows her inside and outside of work is aware of that. She is proud to share the news about Cooley with the many people ask. She also fosters good will within the building when she “adopts” students, inviting them into her home for dinner with her family.

Please join the Center for Ethics, Service, and Professionalism in congratulating Jill Pullum on being the first recipient of the Thomas M. Cooley Great Deeds Award, and in thanking her for her service and promotion of our school and its mission.

Heather Spielmaker
Assistant Director-Service and Professionalism Programs