Honorary degrees awarded at John Cooper School Commencement

THE WOODLANDS, Texas – Commencement for The John Cooper School Class of 2015 included the awarding of three additional diplomas, in addition to the ones awarded to the 88 members of the graduating class. Two faculty members and the founding Head of Upper School, who have a combined 69 years of service to the school, were recognized with the honorary diplomas.

Commencement was held in Cooper’s Middle/Upper School Gymnasium on the evening of May 22. Choir and instrumental students provided the music for the ceremony, including the traditional “Pomp and Circumstance.” The band was conducted by Director Graham Tobin, members of the a capella group, “VOX,” sang the national anthem and as is a Cooper tradition, faculty and alumni joined the choir to sing “Old Irish Blessing” by Denes Agay, under the direction of Choir Director Rae Moses.

Senior Muna Uzodike gave the invocation, senior Douglas Ziman, elected by his fellow seniors, spoke on behalf of his class, and Brian Lue gave the valedictory address. Head of School Michael Maher and Chair of the Board of Trustees Yvette Aquino awarded diplomas as Head of Upper School Joseph Broccoli read each graduate’s name. There were 29 seniors out of the Class of 2015 who were recognized as “Cooper Pioneers” for having attended the school continuously from kindergarten through twelfth grade.

Joe Broccoli, who is retiring after 24 years as the founding Head of The John Cooper Upper School (grades 9-12), was awarded an honorary diploma, as was Upper School social science teacher Anita Pilling, who is retiring after 20 years at Cooper and Ginger Ash, who is retiring after 25 years at Cooper. Following Commencement, faculty, administrators and trustees formed a welcome line to congratulate each of the 88 members of The John Cooper School Class of 2015.

Established on a 42-acre campus in The Woodlands in 1988, The John Cooper School is a PK- 12 independent, college preparatory day school. Cooper opened the 2014-15 school year with an enrollment of 1,140 students. With the addition of the Class of 2015, Cooper’s alumni now number 1,475.