Robert G. Cochran

Robert G. (“Bob”) Cochran was a longtime fixture at WKU. He had a long and prominent career on the Hill from 1948 to 1971, ultimately serving as the Dean of Public Affairs and Public Relations. He originally came to Western as a Freshman in 1939 working in the Public Relations Office to pay his way through school. After serving during World War II, he returned to the Hill where he earned his degree in 1947. Former President Kelly Thompson hired Bob in 1948 as a field representative. Bob became Director of Public Relations in 1955. In 1957, he served as President of the WKU Alumni Association. He served on the Board of Directors of the College Heights Foundation from 1959 until 1971. He was the publicist for Hilltopper basketball and Coach Ed Diddle from 1948 until Coach Diddle’s retirement in 1964 (6 NIT appearances and 2 NCAA appearances).