At the end of this calendar year, Vice President for University Engagement Peggy J. Cooning will conclude a career that has included 40 years of service as an administrator, including 30 years in higher education and 18 years as a member of the President’s Cabinet at Trevecca.
“From the early days of my presidency, Peg Cooning has been a partner in leading Trevecca to its current strength,” said Trevecca President Dr. Dan Boone. “She has worked tirelessly to build teams, pursue lofty new goals, and break all funding records. Her dedication is a gift to us all. She is the walking brand of our university. We are indebted to Peg for the present and the future, as her work will extend into the gifts of the next generation. On behalf of a grateful university, thank you!”
Since joining Trevecca in 2007, Cooning has overseen key areas of the University including fundraising; alumni, church and community engagement; conferences and events management; career development; marketing and more. Her tenure has included overseeing the University’s largest comprehensive capital campaign, which raised $84.3 million in current and future gifts for Trevecca.
“The University’s call for authenticity through its motto, ‘esse quam videri,’ is what drew me to Trevecca two decades ago,” Cooning said. “Getting to know the members of this community—employees, alumni, students, and friends—and seeing authenticity and generosity in action is what has kept me here. It’s been an honor to serve with the best of people!”
Prior to her work at Trevecca, Cooning served at West Virginia Wesleyan College for 12 years as vice president for external relations. She previously served as vice president of communications for the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association for six years and began her career serving in communications and fundraising roles at nonprofit organizations.
Cooning earned a bachelor’s degree from Purdue University and a master’s in organizational leadership from Trevecca. She and her husband, Doug Lepter, live in Nashville.
Her retirement will take place toward the end of the calendar year, with the official date to be set in the coming months. A celebration to honor her service at Trevecca will also be announced at a later date.