Iowa State names David Cook its 17th president

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AMES — When David Cook stepped into the Iowa State University Memorial Union in 1988, he was a green first-generation freshman tripped up by words like “syllabi.”

When Cook returned to the union Tuesday — no longer a higher education novice, with 37 years of academic experience under his belt — he took on a new title: president.

Board of Regents President Sherry Bates welcomed North Dakota State University President Cook to succeed outgoing ISU President Wendy Wintersteen following a unanimous vote.

The news doubled as a welcome home for Cook, who was born in Mary Greeley Medical Center, graduated from Ames High, and earned a bachelor’s degree from Iowa State in 1992.

Cook, 55, will lead th