A Conversation with W. Donald Cooke
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Sponsored by the Oral History Project of the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at Cornell University, led by Charles Wilcox and Kelly Strickland, this presents an extended interview with a senior member of the faculty, W. Donald Cooke, in which he shares his life's journey, professional interests and reflections about the distinctive character of his department and its nurturing environment. Short biographies of interviewee and interviewer [Charles Wilcox] are included, in addition to a photo gallery and list of publications of the interviewee.
W. Donald Cooke joined the Cornell University faculty in 1951 and advanced quickly through the ranks. He published 39 papers in Analytical Chemistry through 1970. He has held a series of administrative posts [Associate Dean of Arts and Sciences (1962-64), Dean of the Graduate School (1964-73); Vice President for Research (1969-83); Acting Provost (1974-74); Acting Chair of Chemistry Department. He was an active and effective member of the Cornell University Senate (1970-74). Because of his love of teaching he has continued an active teaching role throughout his career, even past his retirement in 1987.