When I became NDSU student body president in 2023, I felt like a small fish in the campus leadership pond. NDSU President Dave Cook was the first person to welcome me in, offer me a seat at the table, and instill in me a sense of belonging as a leader on campus. He and his wife, Dr. Kate Cook, saw me as more than just a student — they saw me as an important contributor to the University.
As a leader who worked closely with Dave and Kate, I found them to be remarkably transparent with their team. They consistently sought the perspectives and insights of others, fostering a sense of trust that encouraged honest dialogue.
They showed me that being a leader isn’t just about making decisions. It’s about building relationships and being there for your team.
With leadership comes challenges, and while I had my own, Dave has had his, too. As a new president in 2022, he faced a campus grappling with very difficult decisions. He navigated those uncharted waters with integrity, all while remaining accessible to help me with student concerns.
Despite their demanding jobs, Dave and Kate have a strong presence building relationships on campus and across the state. They always prioritize people — a lesson I carry with me even now — and they serve everyone at NDSU with grace and humility.
This edition of the NDSU Foundation Magazine is dedicated to highlighting the profound impact that Dave and Kate have had on NDSU and just a few of their passion areas.
To convey the full scope of their impact would require more than this letter can provide, but I will leave you with this: Leadership, at its core, is about doing right by the people you serve.
Dave and Kate’s unwavering dedication and belief in the potential of every member of the NDSU community has shaped countless lives, including my own.
Kaylee Weigel
BS ’23, MS ’24 Microbiology