Dr. David Cook Agricultural Leadership Scholars Program
Dr. David Cook, Who Is He?
Dr. David J. Cook served as the 15th president of North Dakota State University from 2022 to 2026. Throughout his tenure, he championed student success, leadership development, innovation, and the land-grant mission, while fostering strong partnerships between the university, industry, and communities across North Dakota. His commitment to preparing students to lead with purpose and serve others inspired the creation of the Dr. David Cook Agricultural Leadership Scholars Program, which seeks to develop the next generation of leaders in agriculture.
Before joining NDSU, Dr. Cook held numerous leadership positions at the University of Kansas, where he led initiatives in public affairs, economic development, community engagement, and professional education. He earned a bachelor's degree from Iowa State University and both his master's and doctoral degrees in organizational communication from the University of Kansas.
Dr. Cook is widely recognized for his collaborative leadership style, dedication to student growth, and belief that higher education should prepare graduates not only for successful careers, but also for meaningful lives of leadership and service. In 2026, he returned to his alma mater to serve as the 17th president of Iowa State University.
Anonymous Donor 2026
Legacy Statement
Agriculture isn’t what our family does; it is who we are. We’ve watched it shape people by teaching patience, accountability, grit, and stewardship – traits that can’t always be taught in a classroom. Yet, we’ve also seen what education can do when it is paired with a strong agricultural foundation. It can open doors that hard work alone sometimes can’t. Combining the traits of a farmer with a strong education has allowed the land and livestock to be our classroom throughout our careers.
Our commitment to higher education comes from this personal experience. Our father’s college education was cut short by circumstances, yet he made the farm his classroom and used it to both promote and invest in education for his family and community. We have seen how education changes lives, how it opens doors, broadens perspective, and builds the confidence to lead. Supporting students and strengthening educational opportunities has long been one of our family’s greatest passions.
Dr. David Cook earned our respect the old-fashioned way. During his tenure, we witnessed a genuine commitment to advancing agriculture across our state by showing up, listening, and understand what agriculture needs. President Cook’s thoughtful leadership and dedication to students left a lasting impression on us. He demonstrated how visionary leadership within higher education can elevate an entire industry.
It in that spirit that we established this leadership program. Our hope is that it will cultivate students who are not only knowledgeable, but courageous; not only capable, but compassionate. We want future agricultural leaders to be equipped to navigate complexity, champion rural communities, and strengthen the role agriculture plays in our state.
This program reflects what we value: faith in education, belief in agriculture, and confidence in the next generation. It is our privilege to help share a legacy that will endure through students who lead with integrity and purpose for years to come.
