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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 27, 2018
Governor Mary Fallin Reappoints Former Oklahoma Attorney General Michael C. Turpen to Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education
OKLAHOMA CITY –
Governor Mary Fallin today announced she has reappointed former Oklahoma
Attorney General Michael C. Turpen to the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher
Education.
Turpen, of Oklahoma City, served as
Oklahoma attorney general from 1983 to 1987. Since 1987, he has been a partner
in the law firm of Riggs, Abney, Neal, Turpen, Orbison & Lewis in Oklahoma
City and Tulsa.
Pending confirmation by the state
Senate, Turpen will serve a second nine-year term that expires in May 2027.
“Mike
is one of Oklahoma’s strongest voices for higher education,” said Fallin. “He
understands the value of an educated workforce and its importance in moving our
state forward. He also is a tireless advocate for appropriate state funding for
higher education as well as realizing the need to improve and modernize
our state's public higher education system.”
In 2017, Turpen co-chaired the Aubrey McClendon Memorial Campaign
for Oklahoma City’s Boathouse District, raising more than $6 million. As chair
of the board of trustees for the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum,
Turpen created and funded the initiative for every Oklahoma City high school
freshmen to attend and tour the museum and memorial, as well as experience the
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) lab.
“I appreciate Governor Fallin’s confidence and trust by allowing me
to serve another term as a state regent,” Turpen said. “I’m looking forward to
finding ways to continue to improve our higher education system’s efficiencies,
affordability, college degree completion, and workforce development. Without a
doubt, our colleges and universities are essential to
producing a skilled and educated workforce our state needs to compete globally.”
Turpen has received numerous awards,
honors and appointments. In 2010, he was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of
Fame; in 2008 he received the Governor’s Arts Awards for Community Service; and
in 2007 he received the Oklahoma Bar Association’s William Paul Distinguished
Service Award.
A native of Tulsa, he was educated in
Tulsa’s public schools and graduated from the University of Tulsa, earning both
a bachelor’s and a juris doctorate degree. He and his
wife, Susan, have three children and one grandchild.
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 Michael C. Turpen
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