MARQUETTE, Mich .—  Northern Michigan University biology student Nicholas Cook has received an Outstanding Community Impact Award from Michigan Campus Compact.  Cook is one of six recipients statewide who were honored at a recent reception in Lansing.

            Cook, originally from Ellsworth, Mich., graduated in December 2012 with a physiology-biology emphasis major and chemistry minor. He plans to attend medical school and receive a degree in neuroscience. Cook worked with NMU Professor Robert Winn in the Upper Michigan Brain Tumor Center as a freshman fellow in his first year and then as a research assistant throughout his undergraduate career. He also founded Students for the Upper Michigan Brain Tumor Center, which worked to raise awareness about the research being done with the UMBTC at NMU and about glioblastoma, the type of malignancy researched by the center.

            Beyond his UMBTC activities, Cook was involved in organizing four Alex’s Lemonade Stand fundraisers for cancer research, was president of Mortar Board, participated in the Student Leader Fellowship Program and completed all four edges of the Superior Edge program. Cook also was the student speaker at the honors breakfast prior to December’s commencement.

            “I have always believed in the concept of cheerful service and I have dedicated an enormous amount of time to these organizations during my undergraduate career,” Cook said. “The reason behind my commitment to cancer is the desperation these patients experience, especially in glioblastoma, which carries the worst prognosis in cancer.”

            The Michigan Campus Compact Outstanding Community Impact Award is given to students in the state who have made community service a major part of their college experience. MCC will donate $200 to a nonprofit of Cook’s choice as a result of this award.

            Cook was nominated for the award by David Haynes, NMU president, and Dave Bonsall, director of the Center for Student Enrichment.