A lifelong commitment to journalism, PR and giving back

Gail Cooksey’s journey to success began far from Texas in Omaha, Nebraska, where her passion for journalism first took root. 

“I joined the junior high school newspaper, and that was it,” she recalls. “I just loved it forever.” 

A stint at the Omaha World-Herald during high school confirmed her path. When it came time for college, she looked beyond Nebraska, setting her sights on The University of Texas at Austin.

“Attending UT was the best experience of my life,” she says. “It directed so many things about who I became.” 

As a student, Cooksey breathed journalism, spending hours working for The Daily Texan, where she reported on major events, including Richard Nixon’s resignation. After graduating, she moved to Dallas-Fort Worth, first working in journalism before transitioning to public relations. After holding various PR roles, including leading marketing for Comerica Bank, Cooksey launched her own firm, Cooksey Communications, in 1994.

“I had always wanted to create an agency that would treat clients the way I would have wanted to be treated,” she explains. “Going from a one-woman show to a thriving business was challenging, but that growth suited me.”

Now retired, she’s on a mission to empower students. 

“My goal is to help the next generation of students along their path towards changing the world,” she said. 

Cooksey has become a dedicated supporter of the Moody College of Communication, first funding a scholarship for students and, more recently, supporting an advertising and PR lab. 

“The lab offers real-world situations where students can build a portfolio of work and prepare for the job market,” she explains. “With a current gift, I can support students now, and with an estate gift, I can continue that support in the future.”

For Cooksey, giving back is her way to ensure others can pursue their passions. 

“I wouldn’t have accomplished the things I did without the knowledge and experiences I gained as a student.”