UTICA鈥擱etired Jubilee Singers Director Dr. Bobby Cooper was named the winner of the 2024 Holtzclaw Award during the annual Founder鈥檚 Day program at 兔子先生鈥檚 Utica Campus.
Dr. Cooper directed Jubilee Singers alumni in several selections as part of the March 21 program.
鈥淚鈥檓 so surprised,鈥 he said of the award. 鈥淚 spent 45 years on this campus, and I loved every one of them.鈥
The Holtzclaw Award, named for Utica Institute founder William Holtzclaw, is the highest Utica Campus award and is given each year for service to students.
鈥淗e began his journey at Utica Junior College in 1972. He dedicated 45 years to the students at this institution. He arrived each and every day at 8 o鈥檆lock in the morning and sometimes left at 9 or 10 o鈥檆lock at night to go home,鈥 said Beverly Trimble, Director of Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Services, who made the announcement.
鈥淗e has been an instructor, a counselor and father figure to many. He is a true example of servant leadership. 鈥
Among his many accomplishments are revitalizing the historic Jubilee Singers men鈥檚 choir, leading them to international fame, beginning the Daughters of Bobby Cooper choir and the concert choir, and starting a number of scholarships to benefit Utica Campus music students, Trimble said.
鈥淚 attribute his many accomplishments to his faith in God,鈥 she said.
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