Senior Spotlight May 2020 – Walter Wilson
This year we are continuing our tradition of Senior Spotlights! With graduation postponed, it is more important than ever to highlight this spring’s graduating class.
The class of May 2020 is experiencing their last few weeks of college unlike any of those who came before them. It has been a tough time, but the seniors are adapting to new ways of learning and are continuing to celebrate their accomplishments thus far.
Like many meteorology students, Walter Wilson fell in love with the weather at a young age. He tells us, “When I was around 8 years old, my family went on a trip across Nebraska and I saw my first tornado. Then not too long after that the series Storm Chasers came on TV and I would watch every episode hoping one day that will be me. Although I always thought it would be a hobby. It wasn’t until my junior year of high school that I found out about having a career in meteorology. I was actually planning on joining the Army after high school until the recruiter said I could go to college and become a meteorologist.”
The OU logo on Reed Timmer’s hat lead Walter to the School of Meteorology. He said, “I visited OU and loved the campus and especially the National Weather Center. Between the National Weather Center and having a great football team, I knew I could call it home.”
Quickly, football became one of Walter’s favorite things about OU. “Besides being at the best meteorology school, I think going to football games and having such a large OU following is the best part of being an OU student. It doesn’t seem to matter where I am in the country, I always run into OU fans and OU alum,” he told us.
Though football games are a ton of fun, it is still difficult to adjust when leaving home for the first time. “The largest thing I’ve had to overcome was being away from family. It’s never easy going 1000 miles from home to a place all by yourself. Luckily I made some great friends and some of my friend’s family took me in,” he said.
After Walter successfully completes his undergraduate degree in meteorology, he plans to go into the Air Force as a meteorology officer and pursue his Master’s degree while in service. And he says, “My end goal is to someday work for the National Weather Service.”
Congratulations Walter! The School of Meteorology looks forward to watching your future success!