Jim Halderman, BSEd '68, Hon.D. '24, is an innovator and problem solver who has made an extraordinary impact as an educator, entrepreneur, and advocate for sustainability.
A car enthusiast from his early childhood, he built his first electric vehicle — and Ada, Ohio’s first — when he was a student at Ohio Northern University in the 1960s. This kickstarted his lifelong passion for alternative energy.
After graduating from ONU in 1968, he worked as a high school industrial arts teacher, then joined the automotive program at Sinclair Community College in Dayton, where he taught for 30 years before retiring in 2005. He wrote 18 automotive technology college-level textbooks, and patented an electronic transmission control device. An exceptional educator, he has presented at numerous technical seminars to national audiences, and received accolades like Regional Teacher of the Year from General Motors.
At his alma mater, Halderman is seeking to make ONU a hub for sustainability in the Midwest by championing and funding key projects like electric vehicle charging stations, an innovative lab and think space called the Halderman Sustainability Lab, and electric equipment and vehicles.
Sustainability is not just a buzzword to Halderman; it is a commitment to ensuring a bright future for every generation.