Richard J. “Rick” Erickson has traveled the world, thanks to his successful career as a geologist in the energy industry. His career path took him from his native Minnesota to jobs in Louisiana, Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, New Mexico, and Nigeria, before he retired in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. His affinity for The University of Tulsa fortified his decision to retire in northeastern Oklahoma, and he continues to generously support TU programs.
After earning his bachelor’s degree at Macalester College in Minnesota, Erickson earned his master of science degree in geology from Louisiana State University, and he worked for Texaco in New Orleans for several years, before taking a job in Tulsa with Helmerich and Payne as a geologist covering Oklahoma and Kansas. Erickson ultimately retired from Occidental Petroleum (Oxy) in Houston in 2017, after working as a Senior Geological Advisor in the Permian Basin in New Mexico.
During his career and after he retired, Erickson especially enjoyed the time he spent at The University of Tulsa, both as a graduate student and as an adjunct professor, teaching courses that have included Geology for Teachers, Chemistry for Nurses, chemistry lab and lecture courses, and Formation Evaluation in petroleum engineering, among others. Erickson has found much fulfillment in teaching, and he has forged many friendships through his work at TU, where he is well-known and well-liked by his students and colleagues in the College of Engineering and Natural Sciences.
In addition to his service, Erickson has demonstrated his loyalty to The University of Tulsa through several generous gifts, dating all the way back to 1980 and supporting a wide array of programs, including the renovation of Keplinger Hall, the Colin Barker Geosciences Graduate Student Endowment Fund, the TU Annual Fund for the Department of Geosciences, KWGS and Gilcrease Museum.
In 2019, Rick Erickson committed an estate gift to support the labs used by students in the Department of Geosciences and the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. This gift is known as The Richard J. Erickson Fund for Geoscience and Chemistry Labs at The University of Tulsa, and it will be used to purchase vital supplies and equipment for the laboratories in these departments.
The University of Tulsa is fortunate to have this caring friend who is deeply committed to ensuring academic excellence in TU’s geoscience, chemistry and biochemistry programs for many years to come.
