OSU Alumni Association Names New President

Tuesday, September 25, 2018

The Oklahoma State University Alumni Association Board of Directors named Blaire Atkinson as the organization’s 14th and first female president on Monday. Atkinson, the senior associate vice president of development services for the OSU Foundation, has served as the organization’s interim president since June 15.

“Blaire has shown tremendous leadership during her interim appointment,” said Kent Gardner, chair of the alumni board. “During the search process, it became evident she was the best person for the position. There are a lot of exciting things happening at the alumni association, and we are excited to have Blaire at the helm. We have no doubt she will continue to move this organization forward and help our alumni experience lifelong connections to the Cowboy family.”

Atkinson graduated from OSU in 2004 with a degree in business administration and holds Senior Professional in Human Resources and SHRM Senior Certified Professional certifications. She joined the OSU Foundation in 2011, providing strategic direction and oversight in marketing and communications, donor relations and for special events in her current role. Prior to this, the native of Vici, Oklahoma, spent 12 years overseeing human resources at various organizations within the state.

“I am honored to serve my alma mater in such an incredible way, and I look forward to being part of an outstanding team focused on engaging all Oklahoma State alumni, students and friends,” Atkinson said. “Alumni have always said there is something undeniably different about Oklahoma State, and I’m proud to be associated with an organization that reminds us daily of the things that set OSU apart — an incredible culture, talented people, transformational progress and a continued commitment to excellence.”

Atkinson is dedicated to improving Oklahoma through quality education and is passionately devoted to OSU. She is a member of Leadership Oklahoma Class 30 and an Oklahoma Achiever Under 40 honoree. She has been involved in various community volunteer organizations and is currently the board chair for Payne County Youth Services and a board member for the Bandit Football Association. Atkinson and her husband, Matt, met at OSU and have three young children, Wyatt, Westin and Morgan.

The selection of Atkinson caps a search process facilitated by James Farris Associates, an international human resources consulting firm that specializes in search and outplacement. Atkinson will assume her new position in late October.