Cook, Barbara I. (Barbara Ivy), 1929-2013
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 3 Collections and/or Records:
Betty Nelson papers, addition 07
Barbara Cook papers
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.
Beverley Stone papers
Collection includes biographical documents, correspondence, speech notes and other materials documenting the life of Purdue’s first Dean of Students, Beverley Stone.