East Central University is proud to announce that Dr. Brandon Tatum, Chief Executive Officer of Oklahoma’s Public Regional University System (RUSO), will serve as the keynote speaker for the 10:00 a.m. ceremony at ECU’s Spring Commencement on Saturday, May 17, 2025.
Commencement will include two ceremonies held in the Kerr Activities Center, with graduates from designated colleges participating in each session. Dr. Tatum will address graduates, families, and guests during the morning ceremony, sharing his insights on leadership, purpose, and service.
Dr. Tatum leads RUSO, a system encompassing six universities, 8,200 employees, and more than 42,000 students, managing an annual budget of $480 million. Under his leadership, the system remains committed to providing high-quality, affordable education while strengthening Oklahoma’s workforce and economy.
Prior to his role with RUSO, Dr. Tatum served as Chief of Staff to Governor J. Kevin Stitt, where he directed the execution of the Governor’s policy agenda and oversaw the 31,000-employee executive branch. His leadership was instrumental in advancing education, workforce development, and economic initiatives across Oklahoma, with a focus on innovation, efficiency, and accountability.
Before entering public service, Dr. Tatum spent fifteen years in education leadership, serving as Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer at Oklahoma Christian University and as Superintendent of Oklahoma Christian Academy. He is also the author of Raising Contributors in a Culture of Consumerism and Skepticism, a book challenging cultural norms and encouraging lives of purpose and impact.
Dr. Tatum and his wife, Megan, are raising their three children—Sawyer, Blakely, and Gentry—with a foundation of faith, education, and service. He often reflects on the wisdom of C.S. Lewis, quoting, "You can only get first things first by putting second things second."
East Central University is honored to welcome Dr. Tatum to celebrate the achievements of our graduates and inspire the next generation of leaders.