Governor Fallin Tuesday 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.
