Cook embraces next role with Cyclone pride
November 12, 2025
Author: Jeff Budlong | Image: Christopher Gannon
David Cook (right) is congratulated by vice president for research Peter Dorhout after being introduced as Iowa State's 17th president in the Memorial Union Campanile Room Tuesday. Vice president for extension and outreach Jason Henderson looks on.
Flanked by six other regents, Iowa Board of Regents president Sherry Bates introduces David Cook as Iowa State's 17th president. President-designate Cook and his spouse, Kate Cook, stand behind Bates.
David Cook accepts congratulations from Iowa Board of Regents president Sherry Bates before addressing a Campanile Room audience in the Memorial Union Tuesday.
David Cook speaks during a media availability in the Cardinal Room after being named the next president of Iowa State University.
In his first public comments after being named the 17th president of Iowa State, David Cook shared the impact of leading the institution he graduated from in the city he grew up in.
"I have a lot of pride in what's just happened," said Cook, president of North Dakota State University, Fargo, since 2022. "It is coming home and I am looking forward to doing a lot of outreach, listening and engagement with faculty, staff and students."
Cook earned a bachelor's degree in political science and speech communication from Iowa State in 1992. He earned master's and doctoral degrees, both in organizational communication, from the University of Kansas.
He will take office on March 1, 2026, and believes his experience as a sitting president will help him quickly identify priorities. Working with the state legislature, connecting with donors and having a clear understanding of ISU's finances all are important, he said during an initial meeting with Iowa media members.
Cook said the land-grant mission is in his DNA. He has seen how it has made a difference in providing access to health care and the economic impact it can have, especially through engineering and agriculture.
"I feel like the state of Iowa is the education state. We take a lot of pride in what we do here at Iowa State," he said.
Cook said developing students who are critical thinkers and graduating students who are prepared to succeed is important in a time when technology and artificial intelligence impact life daily. Funding is key to providing opportunities and experiences, especially around innovation and entrepreneurship, that engage students across campus, including the humanities, liberal arts and social sciences, he said.
President Wendy Wintersteen called Cook "the perfect choice to lead Iowa State University to even greater success.
"His passion for teaching, research, extension and innovation seems ideally suited to this extraordinary institution," she said.
Cook also recognized Wintersteen -- Iowa State's first woman president -- who earlier this year announced her retirement.
"Whoever got this job was going to be in great shape because she left the place better than she found it," he said. "I'm very, very fortunate to follow in her shoes. I'm going to need all your help to keep things moving in the right direction. I look forward to working with all of you."
Interim president
Pending approval by the Iowa Board of Regents, David Spalding, vice president of economic development and industry relations, will serve as interim university president from Jan. 3 to March 1, 2026. The request was added to the board's Nov. 13 meeting agenda.