99

PROFESSOR GEORGE WILLIAM COOK
of Howard University.

Professor Cook was born January 7, 1885, at Winchester, Va.,
and remained there until "Banks and Shields' Retreat" from the
Shenandoah Valley, at which time his father took the family to
Pennsylvania. Professor Cook spent nine years in the City of Har-
risburg; then went to New York, and after three years' residence
came to Howard University, which he entered October 7, 1874. He
has been connected with the university continuously since that time
as a student, teacher and officer. This connection afforded him a
rare opportunity of molding the characters of a large number of
the aspiring and picked youth of this country at a most critical
period in its history. And so well has he grasped this opportunity
that he is universally loved and respected by several generations
of Howardites scattered in all parts of the country.

He graduated from the preparatory department in 1877 and en-
tered college, from which he graduated with the degree of A. B. in
1881, and was appointed instructor in the normal department and
college department the same year. In 1886 he received the degree
of A. M. from Howard. He graduated from the law department of
the university with the degree of LL. B. in 1897 and LL. M. in 1898.

Professor Cook became principal of the normal department upon
the death of Miss Martha Briggs in 1889, which position he held
until 1900, when he was made Dean of the Commercial College.
This position he holds at the present time.

In his present position as Secretary and Business Manager, to
which he was elected in 1908, he has distinguished himself in a
difficult and delicate situation. Much of the physical development
and improvement which the grounds and buildings have undergone
during the last decade are due to his energy, judgment and acquaint-
ance with the needs of the university and the expenditure of its
funds. On several occasions he has been designated as acting presi-
dent by the president in his absence.