Mattern named new director of OSU’s Doel Reed Center

Tuesday, February 10, 2026

Media Contact: Jeff Hopper | Communications and Media Relations Manager | 405-744-5827 | jeff.hopper@okstate.edu

Oklahoma State University’s Doel Reed Center has named Andy Mattern as the educational site’s new director and Hargis Professor.

Mattern will continue to serve as the department head, Vennerberg Chair in Art and an associate professor of photography in the Department of Art, Graphic Design and Art History at OSU.

“Having grown up in New Mexico and spent a decade here at OSU, this feels like a beautiful marriage of both worlds,” Mattern said. “I’m excited for the challenge. I feel a responsibility to the legacy of Martha and Doel Reed. I feel a responsibility to the advisory committee and to my other duties. Most of all, I’m touched to be given the opportunity.”

Mattern received his Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of New Mexico and a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Minnesota. He has served as a faculty member at UNM, as well as Santa Fe University of Art and Design. However, he has spent the last decade at OSU as a professor before eventually being promoted to department head in May 2025.

He has taught several courses at the center, which is in Taos, New Mexico, and hopes to share his deep connection with the region and rich cultural background through future courses.

“Having taught three classes at the center, I feel I have a unique connection and understanding of what it has to offer,” Mattern said. “The location lends itself easily to art and English classes, but I see a myriad of other opportunities at the center, waiting to be tapped into.”

The center’s mission is to bring together academic excellence and experiential learning unique to the region. The DRC offers short-term classes with small class sizes to provide hands-on learning opportunities in a wide range of disciplines — including art, history, creative writing, landscape architecture, hospitality, architecture and more.

“I’m excited for Andy and the Doel Reed Center,” said Dr. Kirsten Olds, OSU’s associate provost for the arts. “Andy’s extensive administrative leadership, fundraising experience and longstanding engagement with the DRC position him exceptionally well to guide the center into its next era.”

Whether it be his work in photography, leading a department or helping the next student find their passion, Mattern has always chosen to take an unconventional look at things others see through very conventional optics. He has no plans for his time as director of the DRC to be any different.