Paul G. Risser facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Paul G. Risser
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| 7th Chancellor of the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education | |
| In office 2002–2006 |
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| 13th President of Oregon State University | |
| In office 1996–2002 |
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| Preceded by | John V. Byrne |
| Succeeded by | Edward John Ray |
| President of Miami University | |
| In office 1993–1996 |
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| Preceded by | Paul G. Pearson |
| Succeeded by | James C. Garland |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 14, 1939 Blackwell, Oklahoma |
| Died | July 10, 2014 (aged 74) Norman, Oklahoma |
| Alma mater | Grinnell College University of Wisconsin–Madison |
| Profession | educator, ecologist |
Paul Gillan Risser (born September 14, 1939 – died July 10, 2014) was an American scientist who studied nature (an ecologist) and a leader in education. He was from Oklahoma. He led two big universities, Miami University and Oregon State University. Later, he became the head of all higher education schools in Oklahoma.
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Paul Risser's Early Life
Paul Risser was born in Blackwell, Oklahoma, on September 14, 1939. He grew up there and went to Blackwell High School.
After high school, he studied biology at Grinnell College in Iowa, graduating in 1961. He then went to the University of Wisconsin in Madison. There, he earned a master's degree in botany in 1965. He also got his PhD in botany and soils in 1967.
Paul Risser's Career in Education
In 1967, Paul Risser started working at the University of Oklahoma in Norman. He was a professor who taught botany. Later, he became the head of his department. He stayed there until 1981.
In 1981, Risser moved to the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign. He became the Chief of the Illinois Natural History Survey. This is a place where scientists study plants, animals, and the environment.
In 1986, he moved to the University of New Mexico. There, he was a provost and later the vice president for academic affairs. These are important roles in running a university.
Leading Miami University
Paul Risser's next big job was at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. He served as the president of this university from 1993 to 1996.
Leading Oregon State University
In 1996, Risser became the 13th president of Oregon State University in Corvallis. He worked there until 2002.
During his time at Oregon State, he helped build new buildings. These included the CH2M-Hill Alumni Center, Halsell Hall, and Richardson Hall. The school also saw more students join. The main library, The Valley Library, was also made bigger.
He also helped create a new campus for the university in Bend, called OSU-Cascades. Risser worked to make the College of Engineering better. He also helped improve the sports teams. The football team had its first winning season in 28 years while he was president.
Leading Oklahoma's Higher Education
In 2003, Paul Risser left Oregon State University. He moved back to his home state to become the chancellor of the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education. This meant he was in charge of all public colleges and universities in Oklahoma. He started this job on January 6, 2003.
Later Life and Passing
Paul Risser left the chancellor's office in 2006. After that, he worked as the acting director for the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. He also served as the executive director of EDGE, an agency that helps Oklahoma's economy grow.
Paul Risser passed away on July 10, 2014, in Norman, Oklahoma. He was 74 years old. He was survived by his wife, four sons, and two step-daughters.
