Former Oklahoma State University women’s tennis coach Chris Young now serves as senior vice president for advancement and athletics at his alma mater, Oklahoma Christian University in Oklahoma City.
OC announced Young’s appointment on November 21. OSU parted ways with Young in July after the NCAA put the program on three years of probation for recruiting violations and issued a series of consequences.
Young, a 2000 graduate of OC, enjoyed great success as a tennis coach at OC, Wichita State and OSU, where in 15 years he guided the Cowgirls to 12 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances and three Big 12 Conference regular season championships. In 2016, OSU finished as the NCAA runner-up. He was also instrumental in the fundraising and design of OSU’s state-of-the-art Michael and Anne Greenwood Tennis Center, which opened in 2014.
“As Oklahoma Christian University pursues its strategic vision of becoming a distinctly Christian Kingdom University, securing a visionary leader in advancement and athletics is significant,” said OC President Ken Jones. “Chris represents an exceptional blend of proven athletic success, development acumen and genuine commitment to our mission.”
Young expressed her gratitude for being able to return to OC, where she was the Sooner Athletic Conference Women’s Coach of the Year in 2004. OC dropped its tennis program in 2013.
Former OSU women’s tennis coach Chris Young has landed a job at his alma mater, Oklahoma Christian University.
“Oklahoma Christian University was transformative for my life,” he said. “He shaped the foundation of my faith and provided the intellectual and spiritual framework that has guided my career. To return in this capacity is very meaningful. I am committed to furthering OC’s mission through strategic growth in both philanthropy and athletics and supporting our students and the future of the university for generations to come.”
Former RUSO director now at the National Governors Association
Brandon Tatum, former executive director of the Oklahoma Regional University System, began serving Nov. 1 as interim executive director of the National Governors Association, of which Gov. Kevin Stitt is now president. At NGA, Tatum succeeds Bill McBride, who has retired.
“As we look to the future, I’m excited to see the new and innovative ways that governors can come together and reignite the American Dream in our states,” Stitt said. “We are deeply grateful for Bill’s leadership and commitment to NGA’s mission, and I am grateful for Brandon’s willingness to step in and lead at this critical time.”
The NGA is a bipartisan organization of the nation’s governors, founded in 1908. It describes itself as a group to share best practices, coordinate policy, and strengthen the states’ collective voice in shaping federal priorities.
Tatum began serving in the RUSO role in August 2024, leading the system that includes East Central University, Northeastern State University, Northwestern Oklahoma State University, Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Southwestern Oklahoma State University and the University of Central Oklahoma.
Former RUSO Executive Director Brandon Tatum (left) now works with the National Governors Association.
He left RUSO in August 2025 to begin work as executive vice president at America Achieves, a New York-based nonprofit organization. He was also a senior advisor for NGA Chair Stitt’s initiative, “Reigniting the American Dream.”
Prior to joining RUSO, Tatum served as Stitt’s chief of staff beginning in November 2022. He held previous positions in both K-12 and higher education, including a stint as executive vice president of Oklahoma Christian University.
“Governors are at the intersection of policy and impact, where decisions translate directly into outcomes for families, businesses and communities,” Tatum said. “At the state level, real solutions are taking shape, and it’s an honor to support this leadership and help NGA advance meaningful, results-based outcomes.”
OSU Engineering Building Receives Design Award
The renovation of Oklahoma State University’s Engineering South Building finished first in the Whole Building category of Retrofit Magazine’s Metamorphosis 2025 Awards. Retrofit magazine focuses on architectural projects dedicated to renovation, adaptive reuse and reinvention.
The OSU project was a collaboration between Rand Elliott Architects — an Oklahoma City firm led by OSU alumnus Rand Elliott — and OSU’s College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology.
The award recognizes projects that transform existing buildings into modern, high-performance spaces while preserving their historic character. The five-story, 88,000-square-foot building now features flexible, light-filled spaces designed to foster collaboration, innovation and hands-on learning. An additional 12,000 square feet houses a 300-seat auditorium and lobby that serve both students and the wider campus community.
Rand Elliott Architects team member Dallin Reese Whiting, a graduate of OSU’s architecture program, played a key role in the project.
“This renovation exceeded my expectations to breathe new life into one of our heritage buildings,” said OSU University Architect Jana Phillips. “The exterior renovations maintain the elegance of our collegiate Georgian style, while the interiors are a refreshing juxtaposition for students, faculty and staff.”
The president of the UCO elected in the national council
University of Central Oklahoma President Todd Lamb was one of five presidents or chancellors elected to the American Association of State Colleges and Universities board during the 2025 AASCU Annual Conference of Presidents and Chancellors in Nashville, Tennessee.
Based in Washington, DC, AASCU describes itself as a higher education association representing more than 500 regional colleges, universities, and public systems whose members share a culture centered on learning and teaching, a historic commitment to student populations, and a dedication to research and creativity that advance the economic progress and cultural development of their regions.
University of Central Oklahoma President Todd Lamb now serves on the board of directors of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities.
“It is an honor to be among the few higher education leaders chosen to serve on the AASCU board,” said Lamb. “I look forward to expanding the work we do at the University of Central Oklahoma to meet students where they are with a high-quality educational experience nationally, working with my AASCU colleagues to meet our nation’s critical workforce needs.”
Agreement for tribal games between Southeastern, UNLV
Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant and the Tribal Education Initiative at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas William F. Harrah College of Hospitality announced a partnership to educate and prepare students for careers in tribal gaming and hospitality businesses.
The two universities have signed what is known as a “2+2” articulation agreement, whereby Southeast students can seamlessly transfer credits to UNLV’s College of Hospitality, where they can complete their bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in tribal gaming or hospitality management. Students can choose to study in person on the UNLV campus or entirely online.
The purpose of such an agreement is to facilitate a smooth transfer process for students.
In addition to Southeast, Durant is also home to the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, which operates the massive Choctaw Casino on the city’s southern edge and other casinos on its reservation.
Southeastern President David Whitlock said the partnership with UNLV will give students the opportunity to stay in Oklahoma and attend “the best regional university in the state, as well as the best hospitality and gaming school in the country and work with Oklahoma tribes. These types of partnerships are great avenues for students, and we appreciate working with UNLV’s Harrah College of Hospitality.”
This article originally appeared on The Oklahoman: Former OSU tennis coach now working in development at alma mater