In 1971, the first award established by SWACUHO was the Distinguished Service Award.  This award was designed to recognize service, dedication, and significant contributions to student housing at a specific college or university.  All staff levels are eligible to receive the award and any SWACUHO member may submit a nomination.  This award may be given to more than one nominee, but only one nomination per school will be considered.  In 1995 the name was changed to honor the memory of Bob Cooke.

Bob Cooke served our profession unselfishly for many years at the regional and national levels.  He provided leadership in various capacities in SWACUHO, which included serving as President from 1975 to 1976, Program Chairperson for the 1995 SWACUHO conference, and Newsletter Chairperson.  He was one of the founders of the Supervisory Skills Workshop and earned the Jim Gibson Award for Outstanding Service to the Region in 1989.  He also served in a number of key positions within ACHUO-I, including Publications Coordinator for the ACUHO-I Executive Board and Chairperson of the Task Force on Financial Planning as part of the Association’s strategic planning process.

Bob helped and supported many young professionals during his long and prolific career.  He was inspirational, knowledgeable, and an outstanding administrator whose impact is still felt.

Dr. James Vick, Vice President of Student Affairs, and Shannon Janes, J.D., Associate Vice President of Student Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin, remember him with the following characteristics:

Fairness.  He was absolutely committed to treating his student residents right, even when it sometimes meant lower revenues.
Honesty.  Bob was completely honest in financial matters but his forthrightness extended from there to giving his honest professional and personal opinions to those with whom he worked.
Loyalty.  Once he had shared his views, he was a good soldier who went forth to support those, like presidents, who had an even broader view than his.
Focus.  Throughout, Bob knew that the housing program did not exist in a vacuum.  He saw it as part of the student systems of The University and, most importantly, as an integral part of the academic programs at the heart of any great university.

It seems only fitting that there should be an award to recognize such profound commitment and dedication to the student affairs profession.  The Bob Cooke Award for Distinguished Service serves this purpose well!