Perry’s experience at CEAT helped him become GM for Microsoft
Monday, January 10, 2022
Media Contact: Kristi Wheeler | Manager, CEAT Marketing and Communications | 405-744-5831 | kristi.wheeler@okstate.edu
Dr. Matt Perry is an Oklahoma State University alumnus with three degrees in electrical engineering.
He last graduated from OSU with his doctorate in 1991, where he focused on signal processing, system theory and mathematics.
Perry has over 35 years of industry and academic experience, spanning three different areas: defense; semiconductors; and hyperscale hardware and software systems.
He has been an assistant professor at Texas Tech, a president and CEO for multiple companies and now a general manager at Microsoft.
“I came to Microsoft because I wanted an opportunity to make a difference and impact the world around me,” Perry said. “Over the past decade, I’ve worked on Windows and Azure, the world’s computer, both touching the lives of millions.”
Before his doctorate, Perry also graduated from OSU with his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering.
“I came to Oklahoma State because it has one of the best engineering schools in the country,” Perry said. “I kept coming back, not only for the great EE department, but also the professors and students around me were friendly and helped me every step of the way.”
Perry commends his professors and OSU CEAT staff for providing him with the support he needed to graduate with his undergraduate, master’s, and doctorate degrees at OSU.
“One of my proudest moments at OSU is when I completed my Ph.D. defense,” Perry said. “I will never forget standing in front of my major professor, Dr. Rao Yarlagadda, as he extended his hand to shake and said, ‘Congratulations Dr. Perry, you have passed.’
After years of work and research, I would not have been able to do it without the help of the Cowboy family.”
Perry’s advice to young professionals and students starting their careers is to expand their horizons past their majors’ known interests.
“One of the most important lessons I learned from OSU is to branch out and try things outside of your comfort zone,” Perry said. “Without doing this, it is more challenging to grow and become the person you want to be. You may find a new passion or hobby, but going outside of your comfort zone and learning new things will open doors that you never knew were available.”
Story by: Kaitlyn Mires | IMPACT Magazine