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Cook, Barbara I. (Barbara Ivy), 1929-2013

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: December 8, 1929 - April 10, 2013

Biographical Information

Born in 1929, Barbara Cook came to Purdue in 1956 as a counselor in the Office of the Dean of Women. She received her BA in Sociology from the University of Arkansas in 1951, a M.A. in Student Personnel Administration from Syracuse University in 1954, a Ph.D. in Counseling and Personnel Services from Purdue University in 1967 as well as an honorary doctorate from Purdue University in 1996.

One of her early responsibilities as councilor in the Dean’s office involved serving as an advisor to Mortar Board, a senior-student honor society over which she presided for nearly thirty years. Cook also served as director of the Placement Service for Women, assistant and associate Dean of Women, associate Dean of Students, and, from 1980 to 1987, Dean of Students. She was a lecturer in the School of Education starting in 1970, and a professor of education from 1987 to 1989.

Nationally recognized for her efforts in promoting career opportunities for women, Cook served in several positions within the National Association of Women Deans, Administrators, and Councilors (NAWDAC) including serving as President from 1975–1976. She is also the recipient of numerous awards for her work, including the Helen B. Schleman Gold Medallion for Distinguished Contributions to Purdue University, the Dean Beverley Stone Award for Personal Counseling Contributions, and the Distinguished Lifetime Mortar Board Member Award.

Following her retirement in 1989, Barbara Cook was an active member of the Lafayette community and involved with many organizations, including the Salvation Army, Greater Lafayette YWCA, West Lafayette Redevelopment Commission, and the Indiana Governor's Commission for Women. In 2004, a sculpture entitled "When Dreams Dance" was dedicated to Cook and her late colleague and friend, Beverley Stone. It is located in between Schleman and Hovde Halls. Today, the current chapter of the Purdue Mortar Board is named in Cook's honor, who advised the group from 1956 to 1986.

Citation

Barbara Cook Interview, April 4, 2006. MSO 1, Purdue University Archives and Special Collections Oral History Program collection, Purdue University Archives and Special Collections, Purdue University Libraries.

Citation

Klink, Angie. The Deans' Bible: Five Purdue Women and Their Quest for Equality. Founders Series. Purdue University Press, 2014.

Found in 13 Collections and/or Records:

Betty Nelson papers, addition 06

 Unprocessed — Box: 1
Identifier: 20170602

Betty Nelson papers, addition 07

 Unprocessed — Box: 1
Identifier: 20190401
Dates: 2008 - 2019; Majority of material found within 2018 - 2019

Carole Sue Richardson-Macklin papers

 Unprocessed — Box: Communal Accessions 34
Identifier: 20120320

Barbara Cook papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSF 467
Overview The Barbara Cook papers predominantly document Barbara Cook's career in the Dean of Women and Dean of Students office and as professor of education at Purdue University (1956 - 1989), including her leadership roles in Mortar Board and NAWDAC -- National Association of Women Deans, Administrators, and Counselors. Types of material include correspondence, speeches, teaching material, articles and essays, and biographical information.
Dates: 1932 - 2012; Other: Date acquired: 11/04/2009

Dean of Students records

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 29
Scope and Contents The Dean of Students records documents the function and day-to-day duties of the Office of the Dean of Students through outgoing correspondence (Date Files), organizational and procedural documents, and other materials. Materials include both paper and electronic record, such as documents, slides, and audiocassettes.
Dates: 1974 - 2000

Marylu McEwen papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSP 102
Scope and Contents The Marylu McEwen papers document the personal and professional life of Marylu McEwen, from her time as a student at Purdue University from 1964-1968 through her long career in higher education. A large portion of the collection depicts her relationships with the Deans of Women and Deans of Students at Purdue University from her time as a student in the 1960s into adulthood and retirement. Types of materials include correspondence, clippings, photographs, speeches, and articles. Also included...
Dates: 1964 - 2014

Mortar Board records

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSP 148
Scope and Contents The Mortar Board records (1924-2015; 6.95 cubic feet) document the establishment and myriad activities of the Barbara Cook Chapter of the Mortar Board National Society at Purdue University.  The collection reflects the changing scope of Mortar Board over the years, from their early supportive roles in the university, to their position as a major donor of scholarships and fellowships for women (and later men) students, and their devotion to fostering leadership skills in their members.  This...
Dates: 1924-2015; Other: Date acquired: 02/06/2014

Purdue University News Service records, addition 04

 Unprocessed — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 2022-078

Carol Pyle collection of Dean of Women and Dean of Students Memorabilia

 Collection — Box: 1
Identifier: MSA 281
Scope and Contents The Carol Pyle Collection of Dean Of Women And Dean Of Students Memorabilia includes correspondence, photographs, and other memorabilia documenting Pyle’s relationships with Dorothy Stratton, Helen Schleman, Beverley Stone, and Barbara Cook. The correspondence is generally of a casual nature, such as what books are being read and reports of social gatherings. The collection consists of one folder of correspondence and clippings and one envelope containing an empty jewelry box with a note from...
Dates: 1980 - 2006; Majority of material found within 1980 - 1989

Collection on Helen B. Schleman

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSP 307
Content Description This collection includes a collection of papers and artifacts that were collected during Helen Schleman's life and posthumously by individuals who were close to her, such as Dorothy Stratton and Betty Nelson. Some items were donated after they were removed from an exhibit on Schleman that was previously installed in Schleman Hall.
Dates: 1940 - 1992

Helen B. Schleman papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSF 334
Scope and Contents The Helen Schleman papers document the life of Helen B. Schleman from her time as a student at Northwestern University in the 1920s up until her death in 1992. Much of the collection documents Schleman’s tenure at Purdue University as Head of the Women’s Residence Halls, Dean of Women, and Dean Emeritus, as well as her military service in the Coast Guard Women’s Reserve (SPARs) during World War II. Additionally, the collection contains Schleman’s collection of newspaper clippings pertaining to...
Dates: 1920 - 2003; Majority of material found within 1934 - 1980

Significant People, 1950 - 1989

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSF 334, Series 4
Scope and Contents Series 4 contains records pertaining to individuals who were important to Helen Schleman. These files contain clippings, manuscripts, correspondence, and epehemera that Schleman collected and that document the lives and careers of several important women in her life.
Dates: 1950 - 1989

Beverley Stone papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSF 466
Overview Collection includes biographical documents, correspondence, speech notes and other materials documenting the life of Purdue’s first Dean of Students, Beverley Stone.
Dates: 1934 - 2012