University of Kansas’ Cook named NDSU President

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — Students and faculty gather around North Dakota State University’s Memorial Hall to find out who will be the next president of the university.

After interviewing 47 candidates and several visits from finalists, the north Dakota Board of Higher Education selects Dr. David Cook as the 15 president of NDSU.

Cook is currently the Chancellor of the Office of Public Affairs and Economic Development at the University of Kansas and speaks highly of the Fargo community and the shared love for NDSU.

“When I left Fargo after my last visit, the thing I just couldn’t get out of my mind when my wife and I flew back together was how phenomenal the people are,” Cook said.

Some questions were raised about his commitment to NDSU’s agriculture program but Dr. Cook emphasized the team aspect as well as what he brings in experience from Kansas.

“You have phenomenal researchers, phenomenal leadership in that space. I think what I bring is something that can complement that, I’ve done a lot of similar work across the state of Kansas, in every corner of the state, frankly, some of the most rural and underserved,” Cook said.

Dr. Cook says one of the challenges any university faces is enrollment, but he believes it won’t turn off potential students because of the school’s strong research backing.

“It’s pretty remarkable that NDSU is a research 1 university, one of only three universities up there in a couple of states. That’s something to be incredibly proud of, I think that’s a grand opportunity to build on. Enrollment and research are certainly things and…I think my priorities are gonna be to get out there and listen, to get on campus, you know,” Cook said.

Cook succeeds Dean Bresciani who will take a full-time, tenured teaching role in health sciences and education.