October 12, 2009

Contact: Amy Hewes
Cal Poly Engineering
805-756-6402
ahewes@calpoly.edu

Alumnus Rory Cooper to Receive Veteran of the Year Honor

"DR. RORY A. COOPER, DECORATED ARMY VETERAN AND DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR TO RECEIVE VETERAN OF THE YEAR HONOR"

Veterans and Public Rally to Honor War Heroes

Oct. 5, 2009 (PITTSBURGH, PA) - Dr. Rory A. Cooper, decorated Army veteran, one of the world's foremost authorities on wheelchair design and director of the Human Engineering Research Laboratories, a partnership between the University of Pittsburgh, UPMC and the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, will receive the "Veteran of the Year Award" from the Veterans Leadership Program of Western Pennsylvania (VLP). Dr. Cooper will accept the honor at a special October 29th ceremony at the Carnegie Music Hall beginning at 5:00pm.

Dr. Cooper is a U.S. Army veteran who uses a wheelchair as a result of a spinal cord injury sustained in military service. Earlier this year, he appeared on a special edition Cheerios box as part of a national campaign organized by the VA, VA Canteen Services and General Mills honoring 12 select gold medal winners of the 28th National Veterans Wheelchair Games. Dr. Cooper was the only Pennsylvania veteran featured in the campaign.