Stephen F. Austin State University

Dr. Marlin Young, associate provost at Stephen F. Austin State University, has been appointed to serve as SFA provost and vice president of academic affairs.

The appointment was announced by Dr. Baker Pattillo, interim president of the university, and will be effective July 24, pending approval by the Board of Regents.

Young has served as associate provost of the university since that position was created in April 2003. At the time, Young was serving as interim vice president of academic affairs, a position he had held since June 2002.

During his years of service, Dr. Young has made a lasting impact on SFA, and I am pleased to recognize his contributions and his proven talent, Pattillo said. As a former faculty member, he has a deep understanding of the importance of the academic experience SFA offers, and I am pleased that he will step seamlessly into this key leadership position and continue to work to move the university forward for the future.

Young earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree and a Master of Business Administration degree from East Texas State University. His doctorate degree in business education is from Arizona State University. Young joined the SFA faculty in 1967 and was named associate dean of the College of Business in 1982. Ten years later, he began serving as dean of the college.

As a faculty member, Young served as chair of the faculty senate. He also has served as chairman of the Nacogdoches Convention and Visitors Bureau board of directors, vice chairman of the Nacogdoches Economic Development Corporation board of directors, vice chairman of the Wesley Foundation board of directors and as chair of the church council and finance committee of the First United Methodist Church. In 1988, Young established the Marlin C. Young Business Scholar Scholarship through the SFA Alumni Association.

Young served eight years as vice president of the Association of Business Communication – Southwest, as well as a member of the board of directors for the association's national organization. He served as president of the Southwestern Federation of Administrative Disciplines and the Texas Business Education Association. He is a past president of the Texas Council of Collegiate Education for Business and served on the executive committee of the board of directors for the Southwester Business Dean's Association.

As provost, Young will provide leadership for academic initiatives, support activities for the colleges and other units within academic affairs, allocate resources and assess progress in achieving the university's academic goals. His office fosters excellence in teaching, research and service, providing support for teaching excellence and for the academic endeavors that help prepare graduates for success in a global community.

Young replaces Dr. Mary Cullinan, who resigned to serve as president of Southern Oregon University.

A new associate provost will be named in the near future, Young said.