| Robert A. Bryan | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 26, 1926 Lebanon, Pennsylvania |
| Education | B.A., University of Miami M.A., University of Kentucky Ph.D., University of Kentucky |
| Occupation | University Professor University President |
| Employer | U.S. Merchant Marine U.S. Army University of Florida University of Central Florida University of South Florida |
| Spouse | Kathryn Elizabeth Williams Bryan (deceased) |
Robert Armistead "Bob" Bryan (born April 26, 1926) is a former American university professor, administrator and university president. Bryan is a native of Pennsylvania, and earned his bachelor's, master's and doctorate degrees before becoming a professor of English literature. He was a long-time professor academic administrator at the University of Florida, and was appointed as the university's interim president, serving from 1989 to 1990. Bryan also served as the interim president of the University of Central Florida in 1991, and the interim president of the University of South Florida from 1993 to 1994.
Bryan was born in Lebanon, Pennsylvania on April 26, 1926.[1] He graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in English from the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida, and earned his master of arts and doctor of philosophy degrees in English from the University of Kentucky in Lexington.[1]
He was an English professor who specialized in sixteenth and seventeenth-century English literature.[1] He taught at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida beginning in 1957, with short-term teaching assignments at Florida Southern College in Lakeland and Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton.[1] In each instance, Bryan returned to the faculty of the University of Florida.[1]
Before accepting the professorship at Florida in 1957, Bryan served as a ship's officer in the U.S. Merchant Marine, as a special agent in U.S. Army Counter-intelligence, and as a lecturer in English literature at the University of California's Extension Division in Tokyo, Japan and the University of Kentucky.[2]
Bryan began his administrative career by becoming the assistant to the dean of the University of Florida Graduate School in 1961. A year later, as an associate professor, he became director of Florida's Ford Foundation.[2] In 1969, he was appointed dean of advanced studies and director of research at Florida Atlantic University.[2] In 1970, he returned to the University of Florida, and was appointed dean of faculties.[2] He was promoted to associate vice-president for academic affairs in 1971, and became the vice-president of academic affairs in 1975.[2] In 1985, he became university provost as well, and served in that capacity until his appointment as interim president.[2]
When president Marshall Criser retired in 1989, Bryan served as the acting, or interim, president of the University of Florida from 1989 to 1990.[2] During his time as interim president, Bryan and Florida athletic director Bill Arnsparger were responsible for firing football coach Galen Hall in September 1989, following alleged NCAA rules violations by Hall and the football staff,[3] and for hiring Heisman trophy-winning Florida alumnus Steve Spurrier as the new head coach of the Florida Gators football team in December of 1989.[4] Only weeks after Hall's forced resignation, Bryan demanded the resignation of Gators basketball head coach Norm Sloan for unrelated NCAA violations;[5] Sloan was replaced by interim coach Don DeVoe.[6]
Bryan was recalled from retirement in 1991, when the Florida Board of Regents asked him to serve as the interim president of the University of Central Florida in Orlando.[1] Having developed a reputation as a capable university administrator, he was again asked to serve as the interim president of the University of South Florida in Tampa from 1993 to 1994.[1]
In addition to his work as a professor and university administrator, Bryan also served as the president of the Florida Association of Colleges, as a consultant for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and was the author of numerous books, journal articles and reviews.[2]
Bryan was married to the former Kathryn Elizabeth Williams; they had two children, Lyla Bryan King and Matthew Bryan.[7] Mrs. Bryan died in 2007.[7]
Bryan is now retired and lives in Gainesville, Florida.[1]
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