Professor Spotlight: Dr. Rick Wilson

Monday, March 28, 2022

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

Have you ever had a professor that you know you’ll never forget… either in a bad or good way? My third-grade teacher, Miss Cox at Sangre Ridge; my 8th and 9th grade home economics teacher, Mrs. Sheppard, and my sophomore and senior year of high school math teacher, Mr. Porter, were some of the teachers who have left an impact on my life.

For undergrad, Dr. Maribeth Kuzmeski will be a professor I’ll always remember and for grad school, Dr. Rick Wilson, aka Coach Wilson, will be the professor I will never forget about as well. He is our next professor spotlight! 

He prefers his students call him Coach Rick or Coach Wilson. Not Dr. or Mr., Coach. He teaches Prescriptive Analytics for Watson’s Graduate School of Management programs, along with a variety of other courses, and always makes class interesting and fun. He is patient and explains things very well when you have a specific question, answers emails in a timely and efficient manner and is always in a great mood in the classroom. He even has “donut day” for the first day of class. 

Coach Wilson is the head of the Department of Management Science and Information Systems. He received his bachelor’s in computer science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, a master’s degree in computer systems management from Creighton University and his Ph.D. in management information systems from University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He has been at Oklahoma State since August 1990.

When asking him some questions beyond analytics and information systems, here is what he had to say.

What makes you the most motivated?
Knowing that I may be able to have a positive impact on someone else either through helping them learn a new skill, giving them the confidence to conquer new heights or just listening to a person as they work through difficulties. At my stage of life, I am most motivated when I can help others be successful.  

What is your favorite decade and why?
The 1980s, it was my 20's and I learned a lot about life, myself, my strengths, weaknesses and had a lot of fun and enjoyment while gaining that insight. I think the 2010s are a close second - met my wife during this time and because of her, have had a lot of personal growth as well. And life is still fun!

If you do research, what areas do you focus on?
Data science, specifically in sports analytics. I have always enjoyed analytical problem solving, and having been a relatively successful athlete who participated in quite a few sports, the combination was a natural fit.

If you weren't in your current profession, what would you do?
Tough question - I think I would be in a leadership position with an organization that hosts sporting events that require complex scheduling, coordination, etc. Again, the combination of leadership, analytics and sports.

Go-to-coffee order and from where?
White chocolate mocha - hot - Dutch Bros. 

What is your favorite restaurant in Stillwater? Why?
Boba Fusion Cafe - Authentic, unique and a place my wife likes, she has better taste than me.

Do you have a favorite recipe/meal to cook?
Unrocky road cookies, my mom's recipe for Christmas cookies that I make every year in her honor. The "un" portion - she knew my disdain for nuts in cookies so she left them out. I still leave them out. 

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