Jim Halligan

James Edmund Halligan (born June 23, 1936) is an American politician from the U.S. state of Oklahoma.[1] Halligan defeated Robert "Bob" Murphy, gaining the Republican caucus a seat in the state Senate and helping to deliver it to Republicans for the first time in state history.

Jim Halligan
Member of the Oklahoma Senate
from the 21st district
In office
November 19, 2008 – November 22, 2016
Preceded byMike Morgan
Succeeded byTom Duggar
16th President of Oklahoma State University
In office
1994–2002
Preceded byJohn R. Campbell
Succeeded byDavid J. Schmidly
Personal details
Born
James Edmund Halligan

(1936-06-23) June 23, 1936
Moorland, Iowa, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)Ann Halligan
ResidenceStillwater, Oklahoma
WebsiteSenate website

Biography

Halligan arrived in Oklahoma as the 16th President of Oklahoma State University on August 1, 1994. Previously he was president of New Mexico State University.[2] He was responsible for OSU campuses in Stillwater, Tulsa, Oklahoma City, and Okmulgee as well as at OSU's Center for Health Sciences and Medical School.

At OSU, Halligan emphasized increasing retention and graduation rates, encouraging the development of national scholars and investing more than $200 million in facilities that include a Center for Services to Students, a student leadership complex, multi-media classrooms and suite-style student housing. Halligan and his wife, Ann, hosted thousands of students in their home each academic year and supported student-run events such as Orange Peel, Homecoming, Varsity Review and Into the Streets. During Halligan's tenure, OSU was named both "America's Best College Buy" and a "Truman Honor Institution."

Halligan also stressed the university's role in research and economic development. Among $380-million in new facilities brought online during the Halligan years are the Advanced Technology Research Center, designed to host joint industry-university research, and the Food & Agricultural Products Research & Technology Center, which offers pilot plant space to Oklahoma entrepreneurs. Halligan focused OSU research efforts on homeland security through sensor and laser applications.

Halligan's efforts saw OSU's first capital campaign top $260 million – more than double the original goal. And he helped raise the money to "Raise the Roof" on Gallagher-Iba Arena, named by CBS Sportsline as the best college basketball venue in the nation.

Halligan has BS, MS, and Ph.D. degrees in Chemical Engineering from Iowa State University. His teaching, research and administrative positions have taken him to Texas Tech, Arkansas, and New Mexico State University where he served as President for ten years before coming to OSU.

Since his election to the Oklahoma Senate, Halligan has voted yes on an independent audit of the state department of education and against the repeal of the state grocery sales tax.

On August 12, 2015, Halligan released a statement through the Oklahoma State Senate announcing that he would not seek reelection to a third term and that the 2016 legislative session would be his last.[3]

Halligan currently resides in Stillwater.

Election history
November 4, 2007, election results for Oklahoma State Senator for District 21
Candidates Party Votes %
Jim Halligan Republican Party 17,711 58.15%
Bob Murphy Democratic Party 12,749 41.85%
Source:

See also

References
  1. Marquis Who's Who, Inc (1984). Who's who in Frontier Science and Technology. 1. Marquis Who's Who. ISBN 9780837957012. ISSN 0749-2324. Retrieved May 13, 2015.
  2. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on December 6, 2013. Retrieved January 16, 2014.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. "GOP senator from Stillwater won't seek re-election". KTEN. August 12, 2015. Archived from the original on August 14, 2015.
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