ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — Dr. Walter Cooper, a trailblazer in Rochester’s history and the University of Rochester’s first Black chemist, turned 97 years old on Friday.
Instead of celebrating with cake and ice cream, Cooper spent part of his birthday speaking candidly with Rochester City School District leaders about how to improve student success — a mission he’s advocated for his entire life.
The conversation included RCSD Superintendent Dr. Eric Rosser and School Board President Camille Simmons, who both said that improving the city’s schools means listening to “hard truths.”…