Lin Appointed New Gensler Professor, Named for Founder of WT’s CIS Department

Copy by Chip Chandler, 806-651-2124, cchandler@wtamu.edu

CANYON, Texas — A West Texas A&M University professor researching social media and artificial intelligence, including security and ethics issues surrounding both, has been appointed to a professorship named for the first chair of WT’s Computer Information Systems department.

Dr. Xiaolin Lin, who joined WT’s Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business in 2018, is the new Philip J. Gensler Professor of Computer Information Systems. Dr. Jeffry Babb, previous holder of the professorship, recently was named the Stan Sigman Professor of Business.

Lin earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Fuzhou University in Fuzhou, Fujian, China; a master’s degree in computer information systems and an MBA from University of Detroit Mercy, and a doctorate in management information systems from Washington State University.

Lin, who recently won the Engler College of Business’ 2021 research excellence award, focuses the impact of emerging technologies like social media and AI on e-commerce and healthcare, as well as gender differences in IT behavioral research.

“My research work aims to provide insights into how companies and organizations may use those emerging technologies to engage customers and gain competitive advantages through identifying design principles and appropriate functionalities and understanding usage behaviors,” Lin said. “More recently, I started to research the security and ethics issues in the context of emerging technologies.

“I am extremely honored to receive this professorship,” Lin continued. “It will provide financial resources that allow me to attend conferences and collect data for my research projects. It will have a great impact on my continued professional development.” 

The Gensler professorship was established in 2007 by business leaders, Gensler’s friends and a matching gift from the Bernice Leary estate. Gensler served as a professor and administrator at WT from 1965 to 1989.

“The fact that Gensler was the founding head of the CIS department at the University signifies the importance of this appointment,” said Dr. Amjad Abdullat, dean of the Engler College of Business. “Dr. Lin is an outstanding researcher, and he exemplifies all the characteristics required for this appointment.”

Gifts to WT may be used to endow professorships, offering opportunities for exceptional faculty members by providing additional resources for teaching, research and professional activities and development. Faculty members benefit from the coveted title, and students glean from the professor’s academic insight and leadership. This helps enrich the life of the University and strengthen the foundation of academic excellence.

“As WT prepares to go public in the fall with a comprehensive fundraising campaign, the highest priority will be investment in people — students, faculty and staff,” said Dr. Todd Rasberry, vice president for philanthropy and external relations. “Establishing faculty endowments are essential for WT to become a doctoral granting regional research university as envisioned in WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World.”

About West Texas A&M University

WT is located in Canyon, Texas, on a 342-acre residential campus. Established in 1910, the University has been part of The Texas A&M University System since 1990. With enrollment of more than 10,000, WT offers 60 undergraduate degree programs, 40 master’s degrees and two doctoral degrees. The University is also home to the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, the largest history museum in the state and the home of one of the Southwest’s finest art collections. The Buffaloes are a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference and offers 14 men’s and women’s athletics programs.

—WTAMU—