George Nigh
Encyclopedia
George Patterson Nigh is a popular civic leader in the U.S. state of Oklahoma
. Nigh served as the 17th and the 22nd Governor of Oklahoma. He was the first Oklahoma Governor to be re-elected and the first to win all 77 counties in the state. Additionally, short term vacancies in the Governor's office twice resulted in Nigh assuming gubernatorial duties while serving as Lieutenant Governor. Nigh served on the Board of Directors of JC Penney and as President of the University of Central Oklahoma
after leaving office of Governor. Currently he is a Director and Public Relations Advisor for International Bank of Commerce
. Prior to holding statewide offices, he had been a schoolteacher and legislator.
He was born in McAlester, Oklahoma
, and was the son of Wilbur R. and Irene Crockett Nigh. Nigh served in the United States Navy
from 1945 to 1946 and graduated from East Central State College
in Ada, Oklahoma
in 1951. From 1951 to 1959, he alternated between service in the Oklahoma House of Representatives
, and as a teacher in the McAlester public schools. During his tenure in the state legislature, he introduced legislation designating "Oklahoma!
" as the state song. He served as Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma
from January 12, 1959 to January 3, 1963, having been elected to his first term in 1958. Taking office at age 31, he became the youngest state Lieutenant Governor in the United States.
Upon the sudden death of U.S. Senator Robert S. Kerr
in January, 1963, lame duck
Governor J. Howard Edmondson
resigned, elevating Nigh to the office of Governor, where he promptly appointed Edmondson to fill Kerr's remaining term.
Nigh served as Lieutenant Governor again from January 9, 1967 to January 8, 1979 for three four-year terms having been reelected in 1966, 1970 and 1974 making him the second longest-serving Oklahoma lieutenant governor in state history with 16 years of service. From January 3, 1979 to January 12, 1987, he served two elected terms as Governor and was the first Oklahoma Governor to serve consecutive terms, but took office five days early, as a result of outgoing Governor David L. Boren
's swearing-in as a U.S. Senator. He was reelected in 1982, carrying all 77 of the state's counties. At the inaugural address for his second full term, Nigh quoted the Pogo comic strip "We have found the enemy, and he is us."
to recommend changes to State government. During his two consecutive terms of office, Nigh signed the Executive Branch Reform Act of 1986
, which reorganized the executive branch into agency function categories, although stopping short of consolidation, of the vast number (over 250) agencies, boards and commissions. Nigh also signed into law the Oklahoma Franchise Tax Code, which established the franchise tax
in Oklahoma.
Following his term as Governor, he served as President of the University of Central Oklahoma
from 1992 to 1997. During his tenure, Nigh supervised construction projects that transformed the institution from a mostly commuter institution to much more of a regional university with residential dormitories.
In 1990 he was inducted into the Oklahoma CareerTech Hall of Fame
and in 1992, he received the Jim Thorpe Lifetime Achievement Award
. From November, 2005 to April, 2006, he served as Interim Director of the Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation
, during the agency's search for a permanent director.
Nigh and his wife Donna appeared in walk-on roles in episode # 19 of the NBC soap opera Texas
(playing themselves as Governor and First Lady of Oklahoma). The episode aired in August 1980. Cast member Lisby Larson
(Paige Marshall) serenaded the couple with a rendition of "Oklahoma!
"
On April 28, 2010, Nigh and his wife were robbed at gunpoint in the driveway of their northwest Oklahoma City home. They were uninjured, though Nigh's wallet was taken. No suspect has been found.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
. Nigh served as the 17th and the 22nd Governor of Oklahoma. He was the first Oklahoma Governor to be re-elected and the first to win all 77 counties in the state. Additionally, short term vacancies in the Governor's office twice resulted in Nigh assuming gubernatorial duties while serving as Lieutenant Governor. Nigh served on the Board of Directors of JC Penney and as President of the University of Central Oklahoma
University of Central Oklahoma
The University of Central Oklahoma, often referred to as UCO, is a coeducational public university located in Edmond, Oklahoma. The university is the third largest in Oklahoma, with almost 18,000 students and approximately 434 full-time and 400 adjunct faculty...
after leaving office of Governor. Currently he is a Director and Public Relations Advisor for International Bank of Commerce
International Bank of Commerce
International Bank of Commerce is a state chartered bank owned by International Bancshares Corporation headquartered in Laredo, Texas . It is one of the largest banks based in Texas, and is the 90th largest U.S. bank by asset size. In addition, IBC is the largest minority-owned bank in the United...
. Prior to holding statewide offices, he had been a schoolteacher and legislator.
He was born in McAlester, Oklahoma
McAlester, Oklahoma
McAlester is a city in Pittsburg County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 17,783 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Pittsburg County. It is currently the largest city in the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, followed by Durant....
, and was the son of Wilbur R. and Irene Crockett Nigh. Nigh served in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
from 1945 to 1946 and graduated from East Central State College
East Central University
East Central University is a four year public university in Ada, Oklahoma, located in the south central region of the state. The university also has courses available in McAlester, Shawnee, Ardmore, and Durant....
in Ada, Oklahoma
Ada, Oklahoma
Ada is a city in and the county seat of Pontotoc County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 16,008 at the 2000 census. As of 2009, the city population was estimated at 17,019....
in 1951. From 1951 to 1959, he alternated between service in the Oklahoma House of Representatives
Oklahoma House of Representatives
The Oklahoma House of Representatives is the lower house of the Oklahoma Legislature, the legislative body of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. Its members are responsible for introducing and voting on bills and resolutions, providing legislative oversight for state agencies, and helping to craft the...
, and as a teacher in the McAlester public schools. During his tenure in the state legislature, he introduced legislation designating "Oklahoma!
Oklahoma! (song)
♥"Oklahoma" is the title song from, and the finale to, the Broadway musical Oklahoma!, named for the setting of the musical play.The music and lyrics were written by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II...
" as the state song. He served as Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma
Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma
The Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma is the second-highest executive official of the state government of Oklahoma. As first in the gubernatorial line of succession, the Lieutenant Governor becomes the new Governor of Oklahoma upon the death, resignation, or removal of the Governor...
from January 12, 1959 to January 3, 1963, having been elected to his first term in 1958. Taking office at age 31, he became the youngest state Lieutenant Governor in the United States.
Upon the sudden death of U.S. Senator Robert S. Kerr
Robert S. Kerr
Robert Samuel Kerr was an American businessman from Oklahoma. Kerr formed a petroleum company before turning to politics. He served as the 12th Governor of Oklahoma and was elected three times to the United States Senate...
in January, 1963, lame duck
Lame duck (politics)
A lame duck is an elected official who is approaching the end of his or her tenure, and especially an official whose successor has already been elected.-Description:The status can be due to*having lost a re-election bid...
Governor J. Howard Edmondson
J. Howard Edmondson
James Howard Edmondson was the 16th Governor of Oklahoma from 1959 to 1963. Elected at the age of 33, Edmondson is the youngest governor in the history of the state.- Biography :...
resigned, elevating Nigh to the office of Governor, where he promptly appointed Edmondson to fill Kerr's remaining term.
Nigh served as Lieutenant Governor again from January 9, 1967 to January 8, 1979 for three four-year terms having been reelected in 1966, 1970 and 1974 making him the second longest-serving Oklahoma lieutenant governor in state history with 16 years of service. From January 3, 1979 to January 12, 1987, he served two elected terms as Governor and was the first Oklahoma Governor to serve consecutive terms, but took office five days early, as a result of outgoing Governor David L. Boren
David L. Boren
David Lyle Boren is an academic leader and American politician from the state of Oklahoma. A Democrat, he served as the 21st Governor of Oklahoma from 1975 to 1979 and in the United States Senate from 1979 to 1994. He is currently president of the University of Oklahoma. He was the longest serving...
's swearing-in as a U.S. Senator. He was reelected in 1982, carrying all 77 of the state's counties. At the inaugural address for his second full term, Nigh quoted the Pogo comic strip "We have found the enemy, and he is us."
Executive Branch Reform
Governor Nigh appointed the Nigh CommissionNigh Commission
The Commission on the Reform of Oklahoma State Government, also known as the Nigh Commission, was a committee that in 1984 recommended sweeping changes to the government of the State of Oklahoma to improve efficiency, economy and service...
to recommend changes to State government. During his two consecutive terms of office, Nigh signed the Executive Branch Reform Act of 1986
Executive Branch Reform Act of 1986
The Executive Branch Reform Act of 1986 is an Oklahoma state law that requires the Governor of Oklahoma to organize the various departments, agencies, boards, commissions and other entities of the state's executive branch into a cabinet system.The Executive Branch Reform Act was signed into law by...
, which reorganized the executive branch into agency function categories, although stopping short of consolidation, of the vast number (over 250) agencies, boards and commissions. Nigh also signed into law the Oklahoma Franchise Tax Code, which established the franchise tax
Franchise tax
Franchise tax is a tax charged by some US states to corporations with a nexus with those states. The common feature of a state's franchise tax is that it is not based on income...
in Oklahoma.
Following his term as Governor, he served as President of the University of Central Oklahoma
University of Central Oklahoma
The University of Central Oklahoma, often referred to as UCO, is a coeducational public university located in Edmond, Oklahoma. The university is the third largest in Oklahoma, with almost 18,000 students and approximately 434 full-time and 400 adjunct faculty...
from 1992 to 1997. During his tenure, Nigh supervised construction projects that transformed the institution from a mostly commuter institution to much more of a regional university with residential dormitories.
In 1990 he was inducted into the Oklahoma CareerTech Hall of Fame
Oklahoma CareerTech Hall of Fame
The Oklahoma CareerTech Hall of Fame is an award given to individuals who, through their outstanding professional and personal achievements, have brought honor and distinction to career and technology education in Oklahoma....
and in 1992, he received the Jim Thorpe Lifetime Achievement Award
Jim Thorpe Lifetime Achievement Award
The Jim Thorpe Lifetime Achievement Award is the highest award presented by the Jim Thorpe Association. Without consideration of athletic accomplishments, the award recognizes a lifetime of achievement by people who "set the living examples that influence others to strive for the highest goals and...
. From November, 2005 to April, 2006, he served as Interim Director of the Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation
Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation
The Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation is a department of the government of Oklahoma under the supervision of the Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce and Tourism...
, during the agency's search for a permanent director.
Nigh and his wife Donna appeared in walk-on roles in episode # 19 of the NBC soap opera Texas
Texas (TV series)
Texas is an American daytime soap opera which aired on NBC from August 4, 1980 until December 31, 1982. Created by John William Corrington, Joyce Hooper Corrington, and Paul Rauch, the show was a spinoff of Another World...
(playing themselves as Governor and First Lady of Oklahoma). The episode aired in August 1980. Cast member Lisby Larson
Lisby Larson
Lisby Larson is an American actress, perhaps best known for her work on soap operas. She has made a number of appearances in television, theater, and film, including multiple appearances on Law & Order. Her daytime roles include Texas and Guiding Light as Calla Matthews, from 1985-1986...
(Paige Marshall) serenaded the couple with a rendition of "Oklahoma!
Oklahoma! (song)
♥"Oklahoma" is the title song from, and the finale to, the Broadway musical Oklahoma!, named for the setting of the musical play.The music and lyrics were written by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II...
"
On April 28, 2010, Nigh and his wife were robbed at gunpoint in the driveway of their northwest Oklahoma City home. They were uninjured, though Nigh's wallet was taken. No suspect has been found.