Cook Nuclear Plant named 2012 Corporate Partner of Year by Lake Michigan College

(Story by Bill Downey)

BRIDGMAN, Mich. — D.C. Cook Nuclear Plant has partnered with many organizations over the years in an ongoing effort to make the community better. From housing to technology to emergent health and welfare needs, Cook has consistently stepped to the plate to take the lead in community improvement.

On Dec. 4, the area of education took center stage as Cook Nuclear Plant was given a special honor for its work in improving educational opportunities in Southwest Michigan. At a special MVP — Most Valuable Partner –Award Celebration, Cook was named Lake Michigan College’s Corporate Partner of the Year.

Senior Vice President and Chief Nuclear Officer Larry Weber (second from left) accepts Lake Michigan College’s Corporate Partner of the Year Award from LMC Board Chair Judy Truesdell (left); along with LMC President Dr. Robert Harrison (second from right) and Cook Support Services Vice President Mike Carlson (right).

Lake Michigan College (LMC) uses the MVP Awards to recognize community partners exhibiting outstanding effort to support community education. At the celebration, LMC President Dr. Robert Harrison lauded Cook Plant for three key contributions:

• Long-time “above-and-beyond” support for the college’s Winner’s Circle Auction Program which provides funding for student scholarships;
• Development of and leadership in LMC’s Energy Production Program which provides education, training and internship experience for students interested in careers in the nuclear industry; and
• Continued support for legislative change to allow LMC and all community colleges in Michigan to offer a four-year baccalaureate program.

Over the past two years, Cook has provided $20,000 in matching funds for LMC’s Student Emergency Fund and Veteran’s Assistance Fund in conjunction with the college’s annual Scholarship Auction. And with regard to the Energy Production program — now in its fifth year — Cook led the way in understanding the need and developing the partnerships with both LMC and Entergy’s Palisades Nuclear Plant necessary to establish a working infrastructure for a successful program. To date, more than 75 students have completed the program.

“The strength of our Energy Program is a function of industry support,” said Harrison. “In addition to taking a leadership role in the development process, Cook also provides ongoing mentorship on the Advisory Committee, as well as experienced classroom instructors. This program would not be where it is today without Cook’s partnership. It’s a big deal.”

Upon accepting the award, AEP Senior Vice President and Chief Nuclear Officer Larry Weber also remarked on the importance of Cook’s partnership with the LMC program.

“We recognized several years ago that the demands of an aging work force in our industry would require us to take action,” Weber said. “Working at a nuclear power plant is very challenging, and we need to have a pool of workers — preferably local — who understand that we work to only the highest standards and put nothing above the safety of our people, plant and community.

“With the economic downturn, the bottom line is that anything supporting further education is a good thing for our community and we look forward to continuing our partnership with LMC into the future.”