Jason Cooper ’84: A Journey of Leadership and Achievement

Graland has been an integral part of Jason’s life for over four decades. As a 1984 graduate, Jason has fond memories of his time as a student, participating in various activities such as yearbook, baseball, soccer, and photography. After graduating from Graland, Jason attended Kent Denver, Amherst College, and the University of Chicago, where he pursued his interests in history and, eventually, business. As the youngest child of three, all of whom attended Graland, Jason’s connection to the school runs deep. Jason returned to Denver in 1996 and quickly became a member of the Graland community again. His continued involvement with Graland began when he saw his older brother playing an active role on the alumni board. At the time, Jason didn’t have any children but still felt a bond to Graland. “I have always felt connected to the school. I first started at Graland in 1974, when I arrived for Kindergarten. After graduating, I knew that I wanted to participate in alumni activities, and now I’ve been on the alumni board for a million years—probably much longer than I should have. I was particularly proud to serve as president for one term some years ago.”

Jason’s dedication to Graland extends beyond his alumni involvement. He married a fellow Graland alumna, Sara Drucker ’89, in 2001, and has three children who are attending and/or have graduated from Graland—Leni ’21, Maeve ’24, and Garrett ’29—further strengthening his family’s connection to the school. “It’s a long family affiliation. My wife, Sara, and her three siblings attended the school, too. I have many extended family members who are also alumni, including Jamie Miller ’97 Altman, who is head of the alumni board right now. She and her two sisters are my cousins, and they also went to Graland, as do all of their children.”

In addition to his contributions to the alumni board, Jason has been actively involved in multiple initiatives and projects. One project that stands out in Jason’s memory is his involvement in the creation of the Ruth Gorham Award, which he will be receiving. “I worked on writing the original language for the award description. That was many years ago, but it’s kind of funny that I’m on the receiving end. Many things come full-circle in life.” He’s also contributed to countless  other initiatives, like the COVID task force, the school’s cybersecurity task force, and the last head of school search. “I was on the committee that hired Josh. I was also on the committee that hired Jessica Goski, the current director of development. I was most recently head of the board’s governance committee. When opportunities arose, I just plugged myself into them along with many other dedicated alumni volunteers. It’s been a great pleasure to serve on all kinds of committees; anything you can imagine, I’ve been drafted to help with over the years.” 

When asked about his impact or legacy at Graland, Jason humbly acknowledges the importance of giving back to the school that has given him so much. “It really is an honor for me to get this award. The school has been such an important part of my life, and I guess my legacy is being a meaningful part of its continued growth and prosperity. Graland is a great institution, and it continues to thrive. It really is a school that puts the best interests of the students at the forefront, and it’s been a privilege to be able to remain part of that. My impact is probably that I spend time and effort—with sincerity—to try and give something back to this wonderful community.”

Jason urges current Graland students to appreciate the opportunities the school provides and to take advantage of its nurturing environment. As a current Graland parent, Jason remains proud to be part of a school that “is a great Denver institution with deep traditions, a remarkable alumni community, and incredibly dedicated teachers, coaches, and staff members. It’s just an amazing place.” Jason Cooper’s unwavering commitment to Graland Country Day School serves as an inspiration to the entire Graland community—past, present, and future.