A Legacy of Care: Stephanie Cook’s quiet and valuable influence at Montana Tech and beyond
When the Montana University System hires a chancellor for Montana Technological University, the job description for prospective candidates is laid out in detail. There’s a website, complete with a campus profile and position description that is seven pages long. But the role of the chancellor’s spouse has no such job description and benefits, though their potential influence on campus life is significant.
Stephanie Cook says that through her husband Chancellor Les Cook’s long career in student affairs, she’s often felt like a campus mom.
“I’ve always felt like I’ve had thousands of children,” Stephanie said. “Les has described me in that way when he’s introduced me some places. He tells them, ‘She’s just like your mom if you need something.’ I have had a couple instances here where students needed their mom, and they’ve come to the house, and it makes me feel so good.”
Nursing student Morgan James is from Medford, Oregon, and enjoys spending time talking to Stephanie.
“Stephanie and I could chat for hours, and I can say without a doubt that she is my favorite person to run into on campus,” James said. “She’s so much fun to talk to and it seems like she genuinely enjoys listening to what other students and I have to say. She has significantly contributed to the welcoming atmosphere we have here at Tech. Her welcoming and friendly presence is something that our campus will greatly miss.”
Stephanie hasn’t always been the campus mom. She and Les are parents to two grown children, Cole and Adison, and Steph was often the “parent in charge.” While Les rose through the ranks of academia, Stephanie spent 20 years as the owner of a home accessory, photo framing, and gift shop in Salt Lake City alongside her mother.
“We had a Johnny Jump Up exerciser, and our son would sit in the door and jump, or customers would frequently carry the kids around while they shopped,” Stephanie remembered.
Eventually the Cooks left Utah so Les could pursue positions at universities in Michigan and Montana. The moves were a great fit for aspects of Stephanie’s personality, like her love of the outdoors, but also posed a challenge for others.
“I’m a huge introvert,” Stephanie said. “The socializing is not my thing.”
Yet being a part of the Butte community has been a huge part of her unofficial duties.
“I feel like I need to be an ambassador for the University and a good partner in the community of Butte,” Stephanie said. “Giving back to Butte is an important priority for both of us.”
Director of Butte–Silver Bow Public Archives Aubrey Jaap has worked with Stephanie on the Story of Butte committee since 2021, and says Stephanie’s contributions to the community cannot be overstated. Story of Butte is a collaborative project between the Butte–Silver Bow Public Archives and Butte Citizens for Preservation and Revitalization, offering historical walking tours through a website and app.
“I’m not sure I’ve met anyone more engaged with the community than Stephanie,” Jaap said. “She and Les make a point to attend nearly every local event and connect with people. I often run into them at exercise classes, Farmer’s Markets—anywhere they can show support. Stephanie brings this same enthusiasm to the Story of Butte project. She promotes it passionately, talking it up to everyone she meets and encouraging local businesses to distribute our brochures and display our window clings. Her community engagement has been instrumental in advancing the project.”
“What I truly admire about Stephanie is her willingness to take on the ‘unseen’ tasks—the ones that don’t receive much recognition but are essential to moving a project forward,” Jaap said. “She approaches everything with humility and exceptional attention to detail. Her behind-the-scenes efforts are the driving force behind the project’s success. On top of that, she’s an absolute joy to be around. I always look forward to our planning meetings because her presence makes the work enjoyable and energizes the group.”
Even as COVID-19 disrupted their first year on campus, Stephanie stepped up, helping at the community’s weekly vaccination clinics. The Cooks’ dedication extended beyond the campus borders. From volunteering at the Butte 100 and the Montana Folk Festival to personally adopting areas for cleanup, the Cooks became familiar,
valued faces in the community.
Stephanie often gets things done quietly and thoroughly. Though many folks don’t know it, Stephanie has played a big role along with the campus grounds crew in landscaping Montana Tech with perennials. She’s worked to get new furniture in campus lounges and new artwork on the walls to give a more modern, welcoming
feel.
“Stephanie Cook has been amazing in helping us update outdated space on campus, especially public areas, lounges, and hallways,” Director of Physical Facilities Layne Sessions said. “She has a great eye for detail and her advice and input have been invaluable to my role as Facilities Director, as she has helped me with important
aesthetic selections. She and Les have been wonderful in devoting so much of their time to work on the details of keeping the campus looking fresh, clean, and inviting. This includes updating artwork and such in public spaces to help those spaces be attractive areas for students to gather and enjoy.”
Stephanie Cook’s instinct to give back runs deep. Her dedication to the Career Closet and her expert coordination of community volunteers during Career Fair season have been pivotal for student success. But her impact extends far beyond those initiatives. Whether offering invaluable guidance to the AGC Club or providing impromptu transportation for athletes at out-of-town meets, Stephanie’s generosity has left an indelible mark on the Orediggers community.
“The community is losing a tremendous asset in Stephanie,” Jaap said. “I have no doubt that wherever she goes, the people and projects in her new community will benefit just as much as Butte has.”