Mr. William M. Bulger served as the twenty-fourth 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’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.

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.

Upon his graduation from Boston College High School in 1952, Mr. 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, Mr. Bulger has been singled out for special recognition by one of the Commonwealth's most prestigious institutions. In bestowing its 50th Anniversary Award upon Mr. Bulger, Boston College Law School described him as one "whose career reflects great honor on the Law School."

Mr. Bulger is the recipient of more than 20 honorary degrees from institutions of higher learning. He is the author of the best selling political memoir, "While the Music Lasts, My Life in Politics.''