Professor spotlight: Matt Bowler

Tuesday, February 8, 2022

Media Contact: Bailey Stacy | Communications Coordinator, Marketing & Communications | 405-744-2700 | bailey.stacy@okstate.edu

Whether you are a student taking a study break, a professor taking a break from emails, or just someone that needs something to distract them, I am so happy you are reading the Business Casual blog. Taking mental breaks from your busy schedule and learning about someone new and different is a great thing.

One of my favorite things is getting to know those around me, and I want you to be able to as well. This next professor spotlight is someone who has been a professor of mine for three different classes and is the director of my master’s program. He has been with Oklahoma State since 2006 and continues to stay busy inside and outside the classroom.

Dr. Matt Bowler is an associate professor of management as well as the director of the OSU MBA program. Dr. Bowler graduated from Missouri State with a bachelor’s degree in management with an entrepreneurship option in 1997 and then went on to get his own MBA the following year. Four years later, he received a Ph.D. in Business Administration from the University of Kentucky in 2002.

After graduation, he served on faculty at the University of North Texas, then went on to work as a field manager for a relief organization in Guatemala. Now, that the surface level introduction is over with, here is what Bowler is like beyond what is on paper.

What is your favorite decade and why?
The next one! Always looking to the future!

Can you do things/go on trips spontaneously or does it have to be planned in advance?
Yes, spontaneously.

If you weren’t in your current profession, what would you do? Explain why.
Commercial real estate development and construction. I dabble in that on the side and it is something that I enjoy and can be a lucrative income stream over the long term. I enjoy finding deals on commercial real estate, particularly historic buildings in decline and bringing them back to their original glory.

What are some of your hobbies outside of work?
Cycling, hunting, running, travel, home improvement, boating and water sports...most of this with my family.

If you could live in any country in the world, which one would it be? Why?
I will always call the U.S. home, but I’d like to own a house in Italy or Spain. Both countries are beautiful, have wonderful people and food, and are great for cyclists?

What is your favorite OSU tradition?
Probably waving the wheat because it’s a celebration of scoring done in a unique Oklahoma way that brings everyone together. Oh, and that I can wear cowboy boots (and sometimes jeans) with a sport coat to school events and it’s considered on point!

You can hear even more about Dr. Bowler on the next episode of our Buzz on Business podcast, releasing Feb. 2. Bowler talks about our MBA program, how he met Dean Eastman, his favorite podcasts and more! You can stream our podcast on any platform.

Story By: Alexis Hightower | alexis.hightower@okstate.edu