Richard J. Cook

{{short description|American educator}}

{{distinguish|Richard Joseph Cooke}}

{{other people||Richard Cook (disambiguation)}}

Richard J. Cook is an American educator who served as the twentieth president of Allegheny College. He was previously the provost of Kalamazoo College. Prior to that, Cook served as a professor of chemistry.

On April 30, 2007, Cook announced he would step down as president of Allegheny College at the end of the 2007–2008 academic year.[http://www.allegheny.edu/news/releases/president_richard_j_cook_to_conclude_his_service_after_20072008_academic_year.php Allegheny College: President Richard J. Cook To Conclude His Service After 2007-2008 Academic Year]

According to Allegheny Magazine, Cook played a key role in the controversial change in Kalamazoo College's K plan from a year-round calendar to a three quarter calendar. At Allegheny College, he has promoted civic engagement.[http://www.allegheny.edu/magazine/archive/2002winter/light.php Allegheny College: Allegheny Magazine]

Cook's undergraduate education was at the University of Michigan, while his graduate work in Chemistry was at Princeton University.