Friends of Finance Executive Speaker Series Luncheon Featuring Rick Dickson

Join Friends of Finance for the Executive Speaker series to hear from Rick Dickson, Interim President, The University of Tulsa

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Rick Dickson, a Tulsa native and The University of Tulsa alumnus, began serving as the The University of Tulsa’s interim president on June 18, 2025.  Deeply committed to his alma mater, he twice served as the university’s vice president and director of athletics: for four years from 1990 to 1994 and again from 2020 to 2024.  A prolific fundraiser and community builder, Dickson has earned the respect of colleagues, students and university supporters.

Dickson previously served as the Director of Athletics at Washington State University (1994-2000) and Tulane University (2000-2015).

WSU’s programs garnered national recognition for success in developing and implementing best practices in Title IX gender equity, with programs competing at the highest level of intercollegiate athletics.

At Tulane, Dickson effected several major fundraising campaigns. And in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, his determined leadership and work ethic lead the athletics department with the charge to “Carry the torch and be the name of Tulane University and the City of New Orleans”. Throughout the following decade, every athletics facility was rebuilt or restored, and a full complement of 16 D1 teams returned to campus. In 2016, the class of student-athletes and coaches who carried the torch were inducted into Tulane Athletics Hall of Fame.

Following his retirement in 2015, Dickson formed R. P. Dickson Consulting LLC, assisting multiple universities with Title IX reviews, departmental organization, fundraising and capital campaigns, marketing and facility development.

Dickson is the recipient of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame 2004 Award for Outstanding Contribution to Amateur Football, recognizing his swift and decisive response to the trustees’ challenge to save Tulane football and its D-1 status. He is the Recipient of the Allstate Sugar Bowl Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame Distinguished American Award, in recognition of an individual who has set the standard for a life of service to the community.

Dickson serves on the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce Advisory Board, Tulsa Regional Tourism Board of Directors, USTA Collegiate Tennis Committee and Team Gleason Board of Directors, an organization helping to improve the life of people with ALS.

Dickson and his wife, Brenda, have four children and nine grandchildren.