Bulger, William M., 1934-

<p>William M. Bulger served as the 24th president of the University of Massachusetts from January 4, 1996 to September of 2003. Under President Bulger's leadership, the five-campus University saw dramatic increases in private support, alumni activity, research funding, and the academic scores of incoming freshmen. President Bulger also launched an award-winning television advertising campaign featuring prominent alumni and a scholarship program that rewards students who finish at the top of their high school graduating class.</p>
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President Bulger's appointment by the University of Massachusetts Board of Trustees followed his 35-year career as a leading state lawmaker. From 1978 to 1996, he served as President of the Massachusetts Senate, elected every two years by his colleagues. His tenure as President was the longest in state history. He was first elected to the Senate in 1970 representing the First Suffolk District. Prior to serving in the Senate, he served in the House of Representatives from 1961 to 1970. Throughout his legislative career, Mr. Bulger played a pivotal leadership role in issues that shaped the physical, cultural and social landscapes of Massachusetts.
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During the 1960s, he led efforts to write the first child abuse reporting laws in this state and during the following three decades continued to focus much of his attention on the plight of children. He was one of the architects of a groundbreaking education reform law that reduced the funding inequities between rich and poor communities. He was among the first advocates of charter schools and public school choice. During the 1980s, he made funding of public libraries a top priority and also advocated for the expansion of childhood nutrition services and fuel assistance programs. Under Mr. Bulger's leadership, Boston Common and the Public Garden were beautified and protected. He secured funding to keep both parks well lit at night, and he led the fight for a law prohibiting the building of any skyscraper that would cast a shadow upon either. He also won funding to beautify Castle Island in South Boston and preserve the 19th-century fort there, while also securing funds to help clean up the Boston Harbor. </p>
<p>President Bulger led the Senate through its debate on welfare reform in the early 1990s, often reminding lawmakers that "after we have eaten, we forget there is such a thing as hunger.'' The resulting legislation, less punitive than some hoped, became the model for a national law. Mr. Bulger is a past president of the Boston Public Library Board of Trustees and continues to serve on the board. He is also Overseer Emeritus of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. He is a former member of the Massachusetts General Hospital Board of Trustees, Museum of Fine Arts Board of Trustees, McLean Hospital Board of Trustees and Citizens Bank of Massachusetts Board of Directors. He is also a former overseer of the Children's Museum in Boston and former corporator of The Winsor School in Boston.</p>
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Upon his graduation from Boston College High School in 1952, President Bulger enrolled at Boston College. His undergraduate career was interrupted when he joined the United States Army in 1953. He returned to Boston College in 1955 and completed his undergraduate degree in English in 1958. He then entered Boston College Law School, from which he received his Doctor of Jurisprudence degree in 1961. Known for his independence of mind, regardless of the political consequences, President Bulger has been singled out for special recognition by one of the Commonwealth's most prestigious institutions. In bestowing its 50th Anniversary Award upon President Bulger, Boston College Law School described him as one "whose career reflects great honor on the Law School." President Bulger is the recipient of more than 20 honorary degrees from institutions of higher learning. Mr. Bulger is the author of the best selling political memoir, "While the Music Lasts: My Life in Politics."</p>
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He was born on February 2, 1934, the son of James and Jane (McCarthy) Bulger. In 1960 he married Mary Foley. He continues to make his home in South Boston where he and his wife of 48 years have raised their nine children: William, James, Sarah, Patrick, Mary, Daniel, Kathleen, Christopher and Brendan.</p>

<p>William M. Bulger was born on February 2, 1934 in Dorchester, Massachusetts the son of James Joseph Bulger Sr. and Jane Veronica "Jean" McCarthy. Bulger was the third of six children and grew up in South Boston's Old Harbor Village Housing Development (known as the Mary Ellen McCormick Housing Development). His older brother was James Bulger Jr., later known as "Whitey". He attended Boston College High School graduating in 1952, graduated from Boston College with an English degree in 1955 with assistance from the G.I. Bill, and earned a J.D. from Boston College Law School in 1961 earning him the title of "Triple Eagle."</p>
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Bulger was first elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives as a Democrat in 1960. Then he was elected to the Massachusetts State Senate in 1970 where eventually he became State Senate president in 1978 until 1996, the longest tenure in Massachusetts history. He opposed court-ordered desegregated busing, led efforts to write the first child abuse reporting laws, advocated for charter schools and public school choice, and advocated for funding for public libraries and other social assistance programs. In the 1990s he worked on welfare reform legislation.
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He married Mary Foley in 1960 and they had nine children: William, James, Sarah, Patrick, Mary, Daniel, Kathleen, Christopher and Brendan. Bulger's brother "Whitey" was a notorious criminal and murderer who was a fugitive from 1995 until 2011. Questions about Bulger's knowledge of Whitey's location as a fugitive were raised eventually resulting in a congressional investigation in which Bulger testified in exchange for immunity from prosecution for obstructing justice. This eventually led to Bulger's resignation as president of the University of Massachusetts in September of 2003.</p>
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Bulger was a past president of the Boston Public Library, Overseer Emeritus of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and a former member of the Massachusetts General Hospital Board of Trustees, Museum of Fine Arts Board of Trustees, and McLean Hospital Board of Trustees. He joined the faculties of Boston College and Suffolk University as a lecturer of political science in 2004. Bulger lives in South Boston, Massachusetts. </p>