North Dakota State University President David Cook is one of two final candidates being considered for the presidency of Iowa State University. Cook presented his case during a public forum in Ames, Iowa, a city he described as home, as the final stages of the selection process get underway.
Cook, who has led NDSU since May 2022, participated in a series of meetings and a public question-and-answer session on November 6. He is competing for the position with Benjamin Houlton, the dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University. The Iowa Board of Regents is expected to make its final decision on November 11.
Key Takeaways
- NDSU President David Cook is a finalist for the president position at Iowa State University.
- Cook described the opportunity as a "homecoming," as he and his wife are from Ames, Iowa.
- He highlighted his achievements at NDSU, including a new AI-focused Honors College.
- Cook also addressed his controversial "NDSU Transform" plan, which cut programs to resolve a budget deficit.
- The Iowa Board of Regents will interview the finalists and select the new president on November 11.
A Potential Homecoming
During the public forum at Iowa State University, David Cook framed his candidacy as a personal return to his roots. Both he and his wife, Kate, were born and raised in Ames, and still have family living in the area. Cook himself is an alumnus of the university.
"It’s coming home, and that's why we're here," Cook stated to the audience. He emphasized that this specific opportunity was uniquely compelling.
Cook shared that he is content in his current role at NDSU but felt this was a singular chance he had to pursue. "Life is good for us. People are great. We've done hard work, and we really love where we're at. But this opportunity, it's the only one I probably would ever even consider," he explained.
His visit to the campus included extensive meetings with key university figures, including outgoing ISU president Wendy Wintersteen, who is retiring in May after eight years as president and four decades at the institution.
Highlighting Success and Addressing Tough Decisions
When presenting his qualifications, Cook pointed to several key initiatives he spearheaded at North Dakota State. One of his proudest accomplishments is the planned launch of an Honors College centered on artificial intelligence, set to open in the fall of 2026.
The new college was established through private donations and will provide full scholarships to 30 top students in each incoming class. The program is designed to explore the ethical, technical, and societal dimensions of AI.
Debt-Free Innovation
Cook noted that the new residence hall for the AI Honors College was funded entirely through auxiliary reserves. "I've not put any debt on our students with any of this," he said, emphasizing a fiscally responsible approach to new projects.
However, his tenure at NDSU has also involved difficult choices. An undergraduate student at the forum questioned him about the "NDSU Transform" initiative, a major restructuring plan he announced shortly after taking office in 2022.
The 'NDSU Transform' Plan
The plan was a direct response to significant financial and enrollment challenges. "Frankly, on Day 1, we had a $7.6 million budget deficit, and there was more coming," Cook recalled. NDSU had been facing a decade of declining enrollment and revenue.
The restructuring involved:
- Consolidating seven academic colleges down to five.
- Eliminating certain majors and academic programs.
- Reducing staff positions across the university.
When asked if he would implement similar measures at Iowa State, Cook drew a sharp distinction between the two institutions. "The situations are completely different," he asserted. "My situation up there was walking into 10 years of enrollment decline." He added that the tough decisions at NDSU have begun to yield positive results, saying, "We're really starting to turn the ship around."
Transparency and the Path Forward
Cook maintained a commitment to transparency throughout the process. He informed the NDSU campus community via email on Wednesday that he was a finalist for the Iowa State position, stating he did so out of respect for his current institution.
A Message to NDSU
In his email, Cook wrote, "Participating in this process does not diminish my dedication to NDSU. It reflects the strength and visibility of our institution and its people."
The selection process is now in its final phase. The other finalist, Benjamin Houlton from Cornell University, completed his campus interviews and public forum the day before Cook's visit. The Iowa Board of Regents has scheduled a closed session for Tuesday, November 11, to conduct final interviews with both candidates.
Following the interviews, the board will deliberate and select the next president to lead Iowa State University, succeeding Wendy Wintersteen. The decision will determine whether Cook's professional journey leads him back to his hometown of Ames.
