Ryan, John W. (John William), 1929-2011

John William Ryan was born on August 12, 1929 in Chicago, Illinois. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Utah in 1951 and earned his Master’s and Ph.D. at Indiana University in 1958 and 1959, respectively. From 1971 until 1987, Dr. Ryan served as the 14th President of Indiana University. During this time, he was awarded many honors, including honorary degrees, and was active in many organizations. These organizations include the Air Force’s Air University, American Society for Public Administration, Indiana Bell Telephone Company, College of St. Thomas, and State Life Insurance Company. He served on various boards and committees for these organizations and others, and served as President for a select few. Upon his retirement in 1987, Dr. Ryan had the fourth longest presidential reign in Indiana University’s history and was named President Emeritus. Ryan died on August 6th, 2011 at the age of 81.

John Ryan was Indiana University's 14th president and served the institution for 30 years. Ryan was instrumental in the creation and inaugurals of eight Indiana University charter campuses.

President Ryan came to Indiana University as a graduate student in 1951, having been awarded the A.B. degree at the University of Utah. He received both the A.M. and Ph.D. degrees in political science here in 1959. He was a research analyst in the Department of Revenue for the Commonwealth of Kentucky, 1953- 55; research associate in the I.U. Program in Public Administration in Thailand, 1955-57; Assistant Director of the Institute of Training for Public Service on the Bloomington Campus, 1957-58; Associate Director, Bureau of Government, University of Wisconsin, 1958-62; Executive Assistant to the President and University Secretary, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, 1962-63; Vice- President for Academic Affairs, Arizona State University, 1963-65; and Chancellor, University of Massachusetts, Boston, 1965-68. In July, 1968 Ryan become Vice- President and Chancellor for Regional Campuses. Dr. John W. Ryan was elected fourteenth president of Indiana University on January 26, 1971. One of the hallmarks of Ryan’s administration was the development of the campuses at Fort Wayne, South Bend, Gary (Northwest), Kokomo, and Jeffersonville (Southeast) from extension centers to degree-granting divisions. During his tenure, a cooperative program of long standing in Richmond was launched as the University's sixth regional campus.

After announcing his retirement as President in 1986, Ryan continued an active public role as a liaison, public speaker, and representative for IU. Dr. John Ryan passed away on Saturday morning, August 6, 2011 at IU Health Bloomington Hospital. He is survived by his wife, Patricia, two sons, and four grandchildren. His son Kerrick Charles Casey passed away in 2010.

Portions of this Biography taken from "The Investiture of John W. Ryan as Fourteenth President of Indiana University" Program.