Ilene Cooke: 29-year connection to Vassar

From Finance and Administration to Fran’s front office

Sarah Brown Life Editor

In her 29 years working at Vassar, Ilene Cooke has established herself as an integral presence in the College, yet her relationship with Vassar began far before she was employed here. As a child, Cooke grew up only several miles away from campus, and she often rode her bike through the campus, where her father worked as a troubleshooter.

“I was afraid of the smokestack outside Main—that’s how small I was,” said Cooke.

After attending business school, Cooke seemed fated to return to Vassar. In 1977, she took a position in the Registrar’s Office. Her four-year post there entailed implementing and developing the schedule of classes and exam schedule, as well as preparing the academic portion of the Vassar catalogue. She was also responsible for representing the registrar at the Committee for Curricular Policy (CCP) and organized registration procedure and faculty evaluations.

Her next position at Vassar was for the Vice President of the Finance Office. At that time, Cooke was responsible for acting as a liaison to the Board of Trustees.
Cooke played a key role, filtering the often-sensitive information that passed through the office. During her 24 years in that position, she facilitated negotiations among people whose interests often differed.

While working in the Finance Office, one of Cooke’s responsibilities used to be taking minutes for the Campus Master Planning Committee as well as the Buildings and Grounds Committee of the Board of Trustees.

When former Senior Executive Assistant to the President Norma Kelly retired last December, Cooke’s experience and ability to work well with others made her the ideal choice for the position. Now, Cooke deals with representatives from other major educational institutions.

Other work that Cooke currently does for the College includes helping to organize the Seven Sisters Conference, as well as extensive work with faculty, administration, staff, and students. She is also a liaison between the Board of Trustees and Vassar constituents.

When she’s not busy ensuring that all aspects of Vassar life run smoothly, Cooke has another full-time job as a single mother to son Keaton, 13 and daughter Siena, 11.

As someone ensconced in the business of education, Cooke ensures that she is actively involved in her children’s schooling.

She serves on the Parents Association at the local private school her children attend, and transports her children to and from sporting events.

“I cannot imagine anything more important
than education, beginning at the primary school level,” said Cooke.

In her spare time, she is continuing her education. Her passion for education might only be rivaled by her intense love of cooking complicated food. Cooke enjoys crafting gourmet meals for family and friends, and will openly admit that she makes “the best Linzer tarts I have ever had.”

Although she regrets to see College President Fran Fergusson leave at the end of the 2005-2006 school year, Cooke is looking forward to working with new College President Catherine Bond Hill.