To recognize the contributions of the Administrative Professional (AP) community, the AP Assembly established an annual Outstanding Administrative Professional Award in 1984. This award is given to an AP who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in his or her professional role. Oakland University provides a $1,500 stipend that accompanies this award.
2013 Outstanding AP of the Year: Peggy Cooke
For her excellent leadership, dedication, and positive spirit,
Oakland University’s Administrative Professional Assembly has selected
Peggy Cooke, assistant vice president for the Division of Academic
Affairs, for the 2013 Outstanding AP of the Year Award.
“Over the years that I’ve been part of the OU community, there have been
so many wonderful, dedicated people that I have been privileged to work
with,” Cooke said. "It’s such an honor to be recognized by this group
of colleagues.”
Since she joined the Oakland community in 1986, Cooke has served in a
variety of finance positions, including roles as director of Internal
Audits and director of Auxiliary Services. In 2007, she began her
current role in the Division of Academic Affairs.
“Peggy has always been a pleasure to work with and be around,” wrote Tom
LeMarbe, director of Budget and Financial Planning, in Cooke’s
nomination form.
“Peggy’s calm demeanor and even-keel nature make people feel comfortable
around her. I'm always confident when I learn that Peggy has been
assigned to a project or team, knowing that she will have great value to
the initiative and respect the opinion of others. Despite the demands
of her position, she takes time to foster a team spirit and collegiality
among staff.”
In the Division of Academic Affairs, Cooke’s responsibilities include
overseeing the budget and all divisional non-faculty personnel matters.
She provides guidance and support to academic leadership in financial,
personnel and planning strategies, and serves as the chief liaison
between the division and Finance and Administration.
Notably, Cooke has negotiated a number of contracts for Oakland that
provide revenue in support of university initiatives, including those
with Barnes & Noble Bookstores, Chartwells, and Palace Sports and
Entertainment.
Cooke was nominated for the Outstanding AP Award by Interim Senior Vice
President for Academic Affairs and Provost Susan Awbrey, and Interim
Associate Provost Mary Stein. They wrote:
“During a time of transition in academic affairs, Peggy Cooke has
provided a strong base of support through her integral understandings of
academic programs, personnel, and processes across the university.
Always helpful and supportive, she models an exemplary work ethic for
others. She is essential to team building within academic affairs. Peggy
Cooke exemplifies an Outstanding Administrative Professional and we
nominate her without hesitation for this honor.”
Cooke holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of
Illinois, Urbana, and a Master’s of Business Administration from the
University of Michigan. Additionally, she is a certified public
accountant in the State of Michigan.
The Outstanding Administrative Professional Award was established in
1984, and is designed to recognize the contributions and outstanding
achievements of professionals in the administration professional
community.
Past Recipients
Rosalind Andreas, 1984
Patrick Nicosia, 1985
Joan Stinson, 1986
Elaine Chapman Moore, 1987
Clair McVety, 1988
Jean Ann Miller, 1989
Arthur Griggs, 1990
Thomas Kirchner, 1991
Elizabeth Millwood, 1992
Ron Kevern, 1993
Virginia Allen, 1994
David Herman, 1995
Lynn Hockenberger, 1996
Katie Kazarian, 1997
Felecia Bumpus, 1998
Glenn McIntosh, 1999
Dawn Aubry, 2000
Vicki Larabell, 2001
Leonard Brown, 2002
Gerald Compton, 2003
Sheryl Klemanski, 2004
George Preisinger, 2005
Melvin Gilroy, 2006
Tricia Westergaard, 2007
Mila Padgett, 2008
Jennifer Gilroy, 2009
Samuel Lucido, 2010
Steve Shablin, 2011
Eleanor Reynolds, 2012
Peggy Cooke, 2013