“If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans.”

Randy Sims learned, time and again, that best-laid plans often go astray. The youngest of four brothers, he made the transition from dairy farm to K-State to study business. But that was before he discovered his love for economics.

Four years later, about to complete his economics degree, Sims set his sights on what appeared to be the perfect job opportunity. He turned down not one, but two other offers. When the preferred position went to the other finalist, Sims found himself at a crossroads midway through his senior year. He agreed to join a friend in taking the LSAT — after all, he’d always found the law interesting.

Instead of crunching numbers in the petroleum industry, he found himself in law school at the University of Kansas.

“Definitely make plans, but don’t expect them to work out exactly as planned,” Sims said. “I began a career in corporate law instead, and it was the best thing that ever happened to me.”

Twists and turns are part of every life and every career, and it’s all a delicate balance of preparation and adaptability; autonomy and reliance on community. Connections made on a faculty softball team led to an unexpected first job out of law school, and just when he thought he’d found the place he’d retire, Cerner came calling and ended up claiming a defining 25 years of his career.

“The lesson there is you need to become a well-rounded individual and develop relationships just as you develop knowledge and experience,” Sims said. “Stretch yourself and try new things—don’t be afraid to fail.”

Residents of College Grove, Tennessee, Sims and his wife, Tami, have a blended family of six kids. He currently sits on the board of directors for Healthcare Growth Technologies and the advisory board for the K-State College of Business Administration. Sims established the Randy Sims Family Leadership Scholarship Fund in 2024.

“The community I found at K-State provided this Kansas farm kid a foundation to discover, define and pursue a successful business and law career,” Sims said.

Through the GLS, he looks forward to helping highly motivated high school graduates attend K-State through financial assistance and the framework to fully experience college life.