Jim Price

Dr. James Manuel Price, a professor at Oklahoma State University and a member of the Norman High School class of 1966, passed away on Oct. 8, 1999, in Stillwater, at the age of 50.

He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics with honors in 1969 and his Master of Arts in mathematics in 1971 from the University of Oklahoma. In 1974, he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and 1977 his Ph.D. in quantitative psychology from the University of Oklahoma. Dr. Price joined the Psychology Department at Oklahoma State University in 1977 as a visiting assistant professor. After two years, he was appointed to a permanent position on the faculty. In 1984, he was promoted to associate professor and granted tenure, and he continued in the department since then.

Jim played a major role in the education of undergraduates and graduate students in teaching them quantitative methods and statistics. Despite the fact that statistics is not always students’ favorite class, students frequently commented that Jim was able to present the material in such a way that it was actually understandable and not so intimidating. So it’s not surprising that Jim won the Outstanding Teacher Award from the Psychology Club in the department. Jim also won a national teaching award, the Psi Chi (National Honor Society in Psychology) Instructor Award on two occasions.

His research was in the area of general linear model theory, multivariate techniques, computer simulation, decision theory, and how these could be applied to psychological research and statistical education. His work was published in multiple journals, but the most prestigious ones include Psychometrika, the British Journal of Mathematical and Statistical Psychology, Psychological Bulletin and The American Statistician. In recognition of his contributions, Jim was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Statistical Society of London and as a Fellow of the American Psychological Society in 1991.

He was a member of multiple professional organizations, including the Psychometric Society, American Psychological Society, Sigma Xi Scientific Honorary, Pi Mu Epsilon Mathematics Honorary, Mensa and several regional psychological associations. In addition, he served as a reviewer for several journals, including the Psychological Bulletin, Multivariate Behavior Research and Behavior Research Methods, Instruments & Computers.

Another contribution that Jim made, which encompassed many hours over the years, was the statistical consultation he provided to the faculty and students in the department. Jim went out of his way to work with others, and seemed to genuinely enjoy finding ways to analyze very different kinds of research studies. Virtually every faculty member in the department benefited from Jim’s generosity and statistical expertise.

Lastly, Jim was a regular attendee at the annual banquet. He served as the coordinator of the Experimental Program, served on the committee to revise personnel procedures (a very thankless task!), and was instrumental in coordinating a colloquium series of speakers for several years. He also served on the computer committee during a time when few of the faculty were not all that familiar with computers, and he spent a great deal of time helping others to adjust to the new computers. Finally, he served as the Psychology Club faculty advisor for several years.

Based on this, it is clear why he has been missed. In recognition of his years of service and the many contributions he made, a formal memorial resolution was presented to the Oklahoma State University Board of Regents at their meeting on the 29th of October, 1999.