Bernard Francis Sliger

Bernard Francis Sliger (September 30, 1924 – October 10, 2007) was an American educator and economist. He served as president of Florida State University for 15 years, from 1976 to 1991.

Early life Sliger was born September 30, 1924, in Chassell Township, Houghton County, Michigan, a small community in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. He was the eldest of three children of Hazel and Paul Sliger. His father was a logging foreman before working as a stonemason for the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1940. Sliger met his future wife at school and married Ruth Margareta (Greta) Taube September 1, 1945, in his wife's hometown of Newberry, Michigan. Sliger grew up in Trout Creek, Michigan, and earned a bachelor's, master's and doctorate—all from Michigan State University and all in economics.

Career He worked 19 years as an administrator and faculty member at LSU. When J. Stanley Marshall resigned in August 1976, he was named interim president and the interim was removed in February 1977. and Trout Creek, Michigan, a tiny community in the Upper Peninsula where he spent his youth and loved forever. In 2017, Mrs. Sliger was inducted with six other FSU first ladies into the Circle of Gold by the FSU Alumni Association. Dr. Sliger was inducted into the FSU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1992. Dr. Sliger was honored in 1997 with membership in the Ourso College of Business Hall of Distinction at Louisiana State University. Individuals have been recognized since 1996 that make "significant contributions in the areas of business, academia, or government as well as their community." The Bernard F. Sliger Award is the single highest honor given by the FSU Alumni Association beginning in 2005. Bernie and Greta were both honored in 2006 with the FSU Torch Award for Mores, honoring respect for customs, tradition and character. FSU Heritage Day in 2007 honored Dr. Sliger with a video tribute and a bronze statue was unveiled. An endowed professorship was established at FSU for Dr. Bernard F. Sliger after his death.