The University of Notre Dame has appointed Dan Cook as its new University architect and vice president for facilities design and operations.

A 1996 Notre Dame alumnus, Cook succeeds Doug Marsh, who served as the inaugural University architect and will continue as a key leader of the facilities design and operations team through May.

Cook joined Notre Dame on Jan. 27 from the University of Texas at Austin, where he had served as the executive director of planning, design and construction since 2021.

“Dan is an accomplished architect and visionary leader who has a deep connection to Notre Dame, making him ideally suited for this position,” University President Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C.., said. “I am confident he will be an excellent steward of our campus, ensuring our natural environment and facilities contribute in meaningful ways to our mission as a global Catholic research university. I look forward to working closely with him in the years to come.”

As vice president and University architect, Cook will lead the planning, design and construction of new campus facilities, as well as the renovation, maintenance, utilities, landscape services and facilities information for more than 200 buildings and 1,000 acres of campus grounds. He will continue to further Notre Dame’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 in partnership with Assistant Vice President for Utilities and Maintenance Paul Kempf.

“I am thrilled to welcome Dan Cook back to Our Lady’s University. His leadership, architectural experience, humility and passion for our mission are tremendous assets for Notre Dame,” Executive Vice President Shannon Cullinan said. “Building upon the tradition of excellence established by Doug Marsh, under Dan’s leadership our Facilities Design and Operations Division will reach new heights in innovation, collaboration with campus partners, and efficiency.”

At the University of Texas, Cook led a team of 200 professionals responsible for planning, design, construction, project management, contracting and construction operations for more than 20 million square feet of facilities.

Prior to his role at Texas, he completed a 24-year career in the U.S. Navy, with deployments in Europe, Africa, Cuba and the Middle East. Cook held multiple positions of executive leadership with responsibility for planning, design, construction, utility systems operations, facility services, maintenance and energy solutions. During his last Naval assignment as commanding officer for a construction battalion, Cook guided a team of 1,200 personnel based on an 11-acre campus in San Diego.

Cook earned a bachelor’s degree from Notre Dame’s School of Architecture and a Master of Science in construction engineering and management from Purdue University. He holds a license to practice architecture in Indiana and is the recipient of the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star and numerous other personal awards and accolades.

Cook is married to Emily Husted Cook, a Notre Dame alumna. Together, they are the parents of seven children, four of whom have attended Notre Dame. He is originally from Oklahoma City.

Originally published by Notre Dame News at news.nd.edu on February 19, 2025.