Ron Cooke
Sir Ronald Urwick Cooke, FRGS (born 1 September 1941[1]) is a Professor of geography and geomorphology who was Vice-Chancellor of the University of York from 1993 to 2002.[2]
Life
Cooke's academic career began as a lecturer in the Department of Geography at University College London in 1961: he rose to the position of Professor in 1981 and Vice-Provost (1991–3) at the same institution.[1][2] From 1993 to 2002 he was Vice-Chancellor of the University of York.[2] Cooke was appointed chair of the Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC) in 2004.[3] He was a Trustee of the National Museum of Science and Industry from 2005 to 2008.[4]
He lives in York where he is active in city life, for instance in fund-raising for the restoration of York Minster, and in planning and restoration through the York Civic Trust.[5] The York Civic Trust also published his monograph Why York is Special.[6]
Honours
He was awarded the Founder's Medal of the Royal Geographical Society (RGS) in 1994,[7] and was President of the RGS from 2000 to 2003.[8] In 2002, he received the Scottish Geographical Medal of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society.[9] He was knighted for services to higher education in the Queen's 2002 New Year's Honours list.[10] In 2006, he was made Honorary Freeman of the City of York.[8]
The Ron Cooke Hub at the Heslington East campus of the University of York was named in his honour.
References
- ^ a b Debrett's People of Today Sir Ron Cooke
- ^ a b c Professor Ron Cooke to retire as Vice-Chancellor in 2002, University of York Press Release, 1 May 2001
- ^ Sir Ron Cooke, JISC Chair, JISC, accessed 26 January 2010
- ^ Sir Ron Cooke to be trustee of the National Museum of Science and Industry, University of York Press Release, 6 June 2002
- ^ Substantial donation from York Civic Trust, York Minster Development Office News, 8 November 2007
- ^ Why York Is Special, York Civic Trust, York, accessed 14 January 2015
- ^ Gold Medal recipients, Royal Geographical Society, accessed 26 January 2010
- ^ a b Professor Sir Ronald Cooke - Honorary Freeman, York City Council, 7 March 2006
- ^ Scottish Geography Medal, Royal Scottish Geographical Society, accessed 26 January 2010
- ^ New Year honours in higher education, Donald MacLeod, guardian.co.uk, Monday 31 December 2001
