UNK's Executive-in-Residence shares his story
Posted: October 1, 2019 12:00:00 AM CDT
A Kearney native, Wiles didn’t even intend to enter the IT industry when he graduated from UNK in 1977 with a bachelor’s degree in education. He wanted to be a high school teacher and football coach.
“I even had the driver’s ed endorsement and everything, so I was heading right to teaching,” said Wiles, who was talked into staying at UNK to pursue a master’s degree in math education with an emphasis in computer science.
As a graduate student, Wiles was the primary contact for IT companies recruiting students on campus. Electronic Data Systems (EDS), one of the top IT companies in the U.S. at the time, was looking for someone to design and develop systems for First National Bank in Lincoln. The account manager wanted Wiles to take the job.
“He made me an offer I couldn’t refuse,” said Wiles, who earned his master’s degree in 1979.
Dick Wiles, the 2019-20 Ron Landstrom Executive-in-Residence at UNK, discussed his career and the growing role technology plays at major sporting events on Thursday, Sept. 26th at the Nebraskan Student Union. His presentation, which was free and open to the public, is part of the JA Baldwin Free Enterprise Lecture Series.
Related Pages: Read More about Dick Wiles
