Richard C. Larson: A Visionary in Operations Research and Education Technology

Before exploring Professor Richard Larson’s remarkable career, it’s essential to understand his key fields of impact: operations research and education technology. Operations research (OR) uses analytical methods—like modeling, statistics, and optimization—to improve decision-making and efficiency. Originating in WWII military planning, OR now supports sectors such as healthcare, logistics, and urban planning. As computing and data analytics advance, OR helps solve complex problems by reducing costs, enhancing service delivery, and optimizing resources in both public and private sectors.