Last spring, as graduation day approached for the Class of 2025, Courtney Pierce Cook received an unexpected card in the mail.
Christian Brothers University is a tight-knit school, and it’s not uncommon for staff and faculty to know the names of nearly all of the students on campus. Cook, the Director of Scholarships and Grants, recognized the name on the card—for the sake of privacy and simplicity, we’ll call the student Lola—but she was not prepared for the message.
During her time at CBU, Lola earned a scholarship, and at Cook’s suggestion, she took the time to personally thank the donor. That spirit of gratitude and professionalism carried into her senior year, when she gained hands-on experience through the Nonprofit Internship Community Experience (NICE) Program.
For Cook, these things were part of her job, actions that are professionally and personally gratifying, but not anything unusual or earth-shattering. But for Lola, they changed the course of her life.
“I didn’t know the student had held me in such high regard,” said Cook. “I have the card on my desk. She wrote me a sweet thank-you and said that receiving the scholarship set the path for her future. Every aspect of her career development centered around that one moment.”
Cook later learned that Lola was the first in her family to attend college and earn a degree, something Lola could not have pursued without financial support. Her time at CBU became life-changing, not only opening doors to a rewarding career through her internship experience but also inspiring her siblings to dream big. In her note to Cook, Lola included a puzzle piece and said, “You were a special piece of the puzzle.”
A Mississippi native with a master’s degree in Higher Education/Student Personnel from the University of Mississippi, Cook has spent the past 17 years in college and university settings, including four and a half years at CBU. Her background includes extensive experience in student affairs, career services, human resources, and advancement with an emphasis on community partnerships.
“Courtney goes above and beyond to ensure that students obtain every resource possible to pursue a quality education at CBU,” said Amy Ware, CBU’s Assistant Vice President of External Relations and Career Services. “From her daily role in grants and scholarships, to her assistance in admissions, she demonstrates what it truly means to be Lasallian.”
Cook calls her time at CBU “an amazing experience” and enjoys expressing her faith at work while living out the Lasallian mission. She is passionate about advocating for the needs of students, and her community engagement skills serve her well as she secures and builds awareness of scholarships, grants, and other available resources.
“We are incredibly grateful for the continued support of our community partners and alumni who graciously give back to CBU,” said Cook. “For many of our students, scholarships are not just financial assistance—they are the bridge to making their dreams of a college education come true.”
Recently, Cook oversaw the successful launch of the Day Foundation La Salle Scholars Program, which provides up to 10 full-tuition, renewable scholarships annually to first-time freshmen at CBU. The first cohort started this fall.
“They truly are amazing,” she said. “Their ACT scores and GPAs were so impressive, but it was their compassion, leadership, and drive that made them stand out. We are so proud of this first cohort, and the Day Foundation was pleased with this group, and we are looking forward to welcoming the next group of scholars.”
Cook seeks out and applies for grants that benefit students and the city of Memphis. Research grants for STEM initiatives and other campus programming are vital, as are summer bridge programs, community development grants, and the NICE Internship Program, now entering its 11th year thanks to grant funds from two major contributors to CBU.
“Changing lives starts small—one dollar and one student at a time,” said Cook.
Cook’s office is in the Office of Advancement and Alumni in Buckman Hall.
