UCO President Todd G. Lamb Appoints Vice Presidents for Advancement, Transformative Leadership
Sept. 16, 2024
University of Central Oklahoma President Todd G. Lamb made a pair of executive appointments this month, naming Allen Wright as the university’s new Vice President for Advancement and Art Cotton as UCO’s first Vice President for Transformative Leadership.
As the Vice President for Advancement, Wright will lead UCO’s fundraising efforts through the UCO Foundation and alumni engagement initiatives. He brings more than 30 years of experience in fundraising, philanthropy and public and government relations to the UCO executive team.
“The Advancement team is central in our efforts to meet students where they are and to foster lifelong connection with the university after graduation. Allen has not only an impressive record of philanthropic leadership; he also possesses an incomparable mix of success in management, service and bringing people together,” Lamb said.
“I can think of no one more perfect for this role than Allen. The future of UCO’s fundraising and alumni engagement efforts is indeed bright with Allen at the helm.”
Wright is a former senior executive with Devon Energy and Koch Industries, including service as the vice president of the Fred and Mary Koch Foundation. His public service includes roles in two presidential campaigns, as well as serving as chief of staff to U.S. Congressman Frank Lucas. Early in his career, he served in assistant/aide roles to Oklahoma Governor Henry Bellmon and Corporation Commissioner J.C. Watts. He most recently worked in the private sector, helping organizations with fundraising and strategy.
Wright holds a master’s degree in political science from UCO where he was named Outstanding Graduate and received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the university in 2013. He also has a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Oklahoma.
“I chose UCO for my master’s degree because, at the time, it was the only university offering night classes in my program. I could not have done it without the flexibility UCO offered,” Wright said.
“Now, I want to give back to the institution that was there for me, helping to ensure our students not only have access to a quality college experience, but also the support and financial resources necessary to achieve their degree.”
UCO’s most recent Vice President for Advancement, Art Cotton, has taken a new role at the university as its first vice president for Transformative Leadership. He will shepherd the President’s Leadership Council (PLC) and Leaders of Tomorrow (LOT) programs, working closely with President Lamb to usher in a new era for the university’s premier student leadership experiences.
“UCO is the paradigm in transformative learning. Art’s history of serving in and working with high-level leadership will be instrumental in elevating the PLC and LOT programs as we reestablish a closer connection with the Office of the President and pursue an even better experience and outcome for our students,” Lamb said.
Cotton joined the UCO executive team in 2021. His 30 years of experience includes serving as senior director of development at the Oklahoma City Boathouse Foundation, vice president for university advancement and external relations at Oklahoma City University, vice president for development at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, senior director of major gifts for the Oklahoma State University Foundation and chief of staff for the Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma.
Learn more about UCO at www.uco.edu.
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Adrienne Nobles