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. 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 TechnologyResearch 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 capitol 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 bestcollege 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. Halligan currently resides in Stillwater.
