Background
Cooke, William Donald was born on May 15, 1918 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Son of William Donald and Gertrude (Raith) Cooke.
university administrator chemistry educator
Cooke, William Donald was born on May 15, 1918 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Son of William Donald and Gertrude (Raith) Cooke.
Bachelor of Science, St. Joseph's College, Philadelphia, 1940; student, Massachusetts Institute Technology, 1941-1942; Master of Sciences, University Pennsylvania, 1947; Doctor of Philosophy, University Pennsylvania, 1949; fellow, Princeton, 1949-1951.
Member faculty, Cornell Univercity, Ithaca, New York, 1951-1987;
professor of chemistry, Cornell Univercity, Ithaca, New York, 1957-1987, professor emeritus, since 1987;
acting department chairman chemistry, Cornell Univercity, Ithaca, New York, 1984;
dean Graduate School, Cornell Univercity, Ithaca, New York, 1964-1973;
vice president research, Cornell Univercity, Ithaca, New York, 1969-1983;
director occupational health and safety programs, Cornell Univercity, Ithaca, New York, since 1983. Member National Board Graduate Education, 1972-1975. Trustee Fordham University, 1970-1978.
Chairman.bd. Associated Universities Inc., 1978-1981. Member Executive Committee Le Moyne College College, 1978-1982, Boyce Thompson Institute Plant Research, 1977-1983, Tompkins County Area Development Corporation, 1978-1983.
Served to major United States Army Air Force, 1942-1946, European Theatre of Operations. Member American Chemical Society (chairman analytical division 1964-1965), Association Graduate Schools (president 1971).
Married June Marie Orr, October 5, 1946. Children: W. Donald, Peter K., Christopher A., Catherine A., M. Timothy, Antonia.