News & Features

Donations by individuals and fundraisers across the William & Mary campus raised money to help the children of Wolf Law Library assistant Shizuko "Kori" Carpenter, who died in a house fire in February. By Kaila Gregory J.D. ’09

When law library worker Shizuko “Kori” Carpenter died suddenly in a fire, members of the William & Mary community sought to honor her memory and provide for the family members she left behind.

Kori, a library assistant at The Wolf Law Library, passed away on the morning of February 26 in a house fire in Newport News. Two of her three daughters, ages 13 and 16, residing with her, escaped with minor injuries.

One of Kori’s co-workers, Library Assistant Janey Janson, said that after the fire, “[Her daughters] had nothing. Everything was gone.” Members of the congregation at Kori’s church helped provide her two youngest daughters with clothing and other essential items.

Kori’s youngest daughters moved in with their older sister, but Janson said the family was still in need. “She has two babies of her own, and now she has two teenagers” Janson said of Kori’s oldest daughter. “Everyone’s efforts are really helping the whole family.”

Janson said a number of efforts have been taken in Kori Carpenter’s memory. “I think because of the way in which she died, so unexpectedly and leaving two teenaged daughters behind, it inspired people to do something,” she said.

The Student Bar Association set up a penny wars game, “Coins for Kori,” placing jars around the law school campus and asking students to donate money to The Kori Carpenter Family Memorial Fund. Each of the student classes competed against faculty and staff and the effort raised an estimated $400 by the beginning of finals.

The law library also sponsored its annual free-throw competition on April 2, collecting more than $1,000. Students and faculty could compete in the competition by paying $1 per basketball shot, with prizes going to those who made the most baskets. In addition, there was a team free-throw competition, which was won by members of the library staff. In years past, proceeds went to the Bone Marrow Drive in memory of Ali Kaplan, daughter of Associate Dean Rob Kaplan. Dean Kaplan readily agreed to the suggestion by Law Library Director Jim Heller that this year’s event would benefit Kori’s children.

Kori’s former co-workers on the undergraduate campus also banned together to help raise money. The Hourly and Classified Employees organization (HACE) hosted a chili luncheon, which raised about $1,400 from campus-wide donations.

The J. Reuben Clark Law Society also held a hot dog eating contest sponsored by Retro’s on April 17 outside the student lounge, adding $150 to the fundraising effort. Contestants had five minutes to eat as many hot dogs as they could using whatever method they chose. Matt Hansen J.D. ’08 won by eating 7 hot dogs in 5 minutes.

In addition to these fundraisers, dozens of members of the Law School and College community made donations directly to the Kori Carpenter Family Memorial Fund through the Warwick Memorial United Methodist Church in Newport News.

Jim Heller described Kori as “a kind and caring person who always put others’ interests and needs above her own.”

Because she put others first, Janey Janson said that Kori was the kind of person who preferred not to be in the spotlight. “Kori would be overwhelmed by all of these efforts, but she would be overwhelmed in a good way, to know that so many people cared about her.”

Both Janson and Heller said they were not surprised by the outpouring of support and concern for Kori’s family from the William & Mary community. “In good times and in bad times, we try to take care of each other,” Janson said.

Heller said it was inspiring to see the efforts that students, faculty and staff made to honor Kori’s memory. “The entire Law School community should be extremely proud of what it did to help her children. It’s great to know that we work and study in such a caring community.”