After serving in an interim capacity since April 2023, Dr. David Whitlock has been named to the permanent position of Dean of the John Massey School of Business at Southeastern Oklahoma State University.
As interim dean, Whitlock guided the JMSB through the reaffirmation of accreditation from the Association to Advance College Schools of Business (AACSB), as well as the Aerospace Sciences Institute’s reaffirmation of accreditation from the Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI).
“Dr. Whitlock’s stewardship of the John Massey School of Business in an interim capacity has been remarkable, and the entire Southeastern community should be proud we have such a leader on our campus,” said Southeastern President Dr. Thomas W. Newsom. “Having a distinguished alumnus permanently leading the JMSB is further proof that what we’re doing at Southeastern is working. We have truly established a legacy of excellence in educating our students in this area, and our graduates will continue to go into the world and do great things.”
“I’m so pleased to remove the interim tag and have Dr. David Whitlock serve as the Dean of the John Massey School of Business. His experience in the business world, leadership in multiple university settings, and personal connection with JMSB students and faculty will help our students long after they graduate. The workforce of Oklahoma and far beyond will benefit from JMSB graduates who have had Dr. Whitlock guiding the way,” noted Dr. Teresa Golden, Vice President of Academic Affairs at Southeastern.
Enrollment in JMSB programs is steadily increasing, new programs are being designed, a significant federal grant has been obtained – which combined with a generous gift from First United Bank and the Massey Family Foundation will result in the addition of two new learning spaces including a Marketing and Entrepreneurship lab and an Accounting and Finance Trading Room lab. Faculty in the JMSB continue to excel in scholarship and have been recognized for outstanding research and as distinguished educators.
“I’m pleased to take on this role serving our outstanding students in the John Massey School of Business,” Whitlock said. “Our School namesake, Mr. Massey had a heart for students and for creating healthy organizations and communities, so it is an honor to work with the faculty in business, aerospace, and occupational safety and health. Our faculty are absolutely committed to transforming lives and preparing our students to lead in the organizations and communities they serve.”
Whitlock was honored with Southeastern’s Distinguished Alumni award in 2014 and holds two Southeastern degrees – earning his Bachelor of Science in chemistry in 1984 and his Master of Business Administration in 1985. He earned a Ph.D. in Industry Training and Development/Higher Education Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Oklahoma in 1995.
Whitlock began his professional career at Southeastern, where he taught for 14 years. He joined the Southeastern faculty in 1985 as an instructor of business, was promoted to assistant professor in 1991 and associate professor in 1996. While at Southeastern, he directed the university’s Small Business Institute from 1990-97, working with small business development in the Durant area. He was named chair of the University’s business information management program in 1995 and served in that role until moving to Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Mo., in 1999.
He was at SBU from 1999 to 2008, serving in various capacities, including associate provost, dean of the college of business and computer science, as a professor of business, dean of SBU’s adult and off-campus programs and assistant to the president.
Whitlock was named the 15th President at Oklahoma Baptist University in 2008 and served for nearly 11 years before retiring as the third-longest tenured President in the school’s history. OBU saw a 20 percent enrollment growth, over $20 million in scholarship endowment growth, $45 million in overall endowment growth, and more than doubled advancement efforts set forth in the New Century Capital Campaign.
Whitlock returned to Southeastern in 2019 after retiring from the OBU presidency. In addition to his position as dean, he is the John Massey Endowed Chair in Entrepreneurship.
