By: Deborah Johnson Wood
Liz Plain graduated from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 2006, before the Grand Rapids location was offering its full roster of classes. She had moved from Cincinnati, and Cooley considered her a Grand Rapids student because she lived here (she wanted to be near her boyfriend--who is now her husband).
But Plain, now 27, ending up communting to Cooley’s main campus in Lansing. She didn't mind, though. She loves the big city feel of Grand Rapids, and after graduation she landed a job with the Kent County Prosecutor’s Office as a prosecuting attorney.
“There were more things to do here than in Lansing, and its closer to Lake Michigan,” says Plain. “Grand Rapids nightlife is more of a fit for me.”
This month, Cooley Law celebrated its 35th anniversary and its fifth year in downtown Grand Rapids at 111 Commerce Ave. SW. In those five years the campus has drawn some 933 students to the heart of the city.
Enrollment this year alone is 570 students, with 58 faculty and staff — all folks who have a daily economic impact on the downtown area. But Cooley’s impact on Grand Rapids isn’t just economic; there’s a social justice aspect, too.
“The school’s mission is one of access,” says Nelson Miller, associate dean. “Cooley is the largest law school in the country and the most diverse law school in the country. We have more African American students and Foreign National students than any other law school.
“Over 12,000 Grand Rapids area residents receive legal help from the Legal Assistance Center,” Miller adds, “a partnership with the Grand Rapids Bar Association where Cooley students provide legal resources, information, referrals for free.”
Other community outreach opportunities are so popular Cooley hired a full-time employee to coordinate volunteer opportunities for students, faculty and staff—some 3,440 volunteer hours in the past 12 months.
Source: Nelson Miller, Thomas M. Cooley Law School; Karen Hogan, Seyferth & Associates
Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected].
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