STAFF SPOTLIGHT

On the Job: David Cook

Photo by Marsha Miller

BY JOAH SPEARMAN

Title:
Assistant director, Enterprise Information Systems, Information Technology Services  (ITS)

What that means:
He is one of the leaders of Enterprise Information Systems (EIS), which provides administrative support and training to software developers and programmers that develop and maintain university-related Web sites, including UT Direct, the EID (electronic identifier) all students and employees receive and the Web sites of student organizations. EIS also provides statistics for Web traffic and helps consolidate the administrative functions for staff, students and faculty.

Raised: Grew up in New Jersey and Connecticut, but moved to Houston during high school and was graduated from Cypress Creek High School.

Education:
Began at Trinity University in San Antonio, but transferred after one semester because “I visited UT and saw a man preaching on the West Mall and thought it was neat that people were okay with that. This university offers diversity and opportunity.” He received a bachelor of arts degree in math and economics in 1985, before earning a master’s degree in public affairs from the LBJ School of Public Affairs in 1988.

Why I stayed at UT Austin:
“I was an orientation adviser and a peer adviser as a student, and eventually I became the student ombudsman. Working at UT presented a lot of the same challenges and benefits of being a student here.” He has worked for at the university for 16 years, all in the ITS (or similar) department. “People feel an attachment to this university like they do for a hometown. “There are a lot of brilliant people here.”

Favorite part of the job:
“I like having the opportunity to do something that I feel is important. The biggest thing, though, is always having a new challenge and being able to pursue new things. If we think something can benefit students, faculty and staff, we’re able to go after it.”

Favorite Web site:
“Google because it’s the most useful, and I use it every day. If I could only pick a university site, I’d pick the online directory for the exact same reason.”

Favorite spot on campus:
“The Cactus Café because there are fewer people there than the other places in the Texas Union, and I’ve seen some great shows there.”

Favorite hobby:
“I like running. I’ve raced several 5k and marathons, and I’m running the Houston Marathon next January to try and qualify for the Boston Marathon.”

If I weren't working at UT, I'd be:
“A wildlife photographer. I enjoy taking pictures and traveling, and I’d enjoy being able to do it and have someone pay me to travel and buy my pictures.”

Most interesting person I've met at the university:  
“Probably Bobby Inman, a professor I had while I was at the LBJ School. He’s lived a very interesting life, and I was very fascinated.”

If I could meet anyone at UT, I’d want to be introduced to:
“Women’s Track and Field coach Bev Kearney because I’m a runner, and I’m familiar with her inspirational story and life.”

Most memorable event attended while at the university:
“In 1982 or ’83, I went to a women’s volleyball game against Kentucky. I think it was a regional final, and this is before Gregory Gym had air conditioning. But I remember it was five games, it very exciting, and I just felt exhausted after watching the match.”

To suggest a staff member for an On the Job profile, send an email to: utopa@mail.utexas.edu