Cooke Named President of UMO Alumni Association

MOUNT OLIVE – Francine Elks Cooke of Greenville, NC has been elected as president of the University of Mount Olive Alumni Association where she has served for a number of years on the Alumni Board.  Her official duties will begin July 1.

“Cooke brings energy, enthusiasm, fresh ideas, valued leadership and passion for her alma mater to her role as president of the alumni,” states Hope Field, director of Alumni Relations.

Cooke graduated from UMO in 1976.  She was selected Pickle Classic Queen that same year.  In 2008, Cooke was name the Outstanding Alumni Volunteer of the Year.  She was the brainchild for the University’s Alumni Winter Glitz, an annual event held each year to raise funds for student scholarships.

Cooke is married to Tommy Cooke.  They have three children and two grandchildren.  The couple owns several businesses in Eastern NC.  Cooke attends Open Door Ministries of Winterville and was selected this past year to participate in a mission trip to Malawi Africa.

The University of Mount Olive is a private institution rooted in the liberal arts tradition with defining Christian values. The University, sponsored by the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists, has locations in Mount Olive, New Bern, Wilmington, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, Research Triangle Park, Washington, Jacksonville, and in Smithfield at Johnston Community College. For more information, visit old.umo.edu.