School of Education mourns the passing of IU President Emeritus Ryan
Sunday, August 7, 2011
The Indiana University School of Education joins the entire IU community in mourning the death of John Ryan, President Emeritus of Indiana University. Ryan served as President from 1971 to 1987 and was a strong supporter of the School of Education during his time in office and afterwards.
“For more than half a century, John Ryan played a pivotal role in the growth and development of Indiana University, and was a major figure in higher education nationally and internationally,” IU President Michael McRobbie said in a statement. “Dr. Ryan had a remarkable vision for how the university should evolve, From April 27, 2011: IU School of Education Dean Gerardo Gonzalez (L) with Indiana University President Emeritus John Ryan.
both across the state and around the world.”
“John Ryan was one of the first IU leaders I met,” said IU School of Education Dean Gerardo Gonzalez. “In the 1980s, then Indiana Gov. Otis Bowen invited him to keynote a conference on health education policy issues I chaired. Little did I know that years later I would be appointed dean of the School of Education and have a chance to work closely with him on several projects. He was a giant in the field of education. While his leadership and impact expanded through time and international boundaries his love for IU never wavered. All of us in the School are eternally grateful for his wise counsel and advice on how to anchor our programs on time-tested ideas of the best educational thinkers in history. I will personally miss his kindness and friendship. Our hearts go out to his family at this time of deep loss.”
After retirement, Ryan remained not just close to the university, but very engaged in activities of the IU School of Education. He often attended special school events, most recently speaking with education reform activists Diane Ravitch and Deborah Meier before they participated in an event at Willkie Auditorium on April 27.
Aside from his IU Presidency, Ryan was Interim Chancellor and Chancellor at the State University of New York from 1996 to 1999; Interim President at the University of Maryland at Baltimore in 1994; and Interim President at Florida Atlantic University in 1989.
He earned Ph.D. and M.A. degrees from Indiana University, the B.A. degree from the University of Utah, and numerous honorary degrees.
Ryan held positions at several large public university systems including Vice President and Chancellor for Regional Campuses at Indiana University; Chancellor, University of Massachusetts; Vice President for Academic Affairs at Arizona State University; Executive Assistant to the President and Secretary of the University, University of Massachusetts; Associate Director, Bureau of Government, University of Wisconsin; and Assistant Director, Institute of Training for Public Service at Indiana University.
He was active in several professional organizations, including the American Society for Public Administration, the American Political Science Association, the Association for Asian Studies, the National Academy of Public Administration, and the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools.
