Bryan, Robert A.

Robert A. Bryan was born in Lebanon, Pennsylvania on 26 April 1926. He earned his B.A. in English from the University of Miami and his M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Kentucky. Between 1957 and 1990 he taught English at the University of Florida, Florida Southern College and Florida Atlantic University. Meanwhile, he began his administrative career by becoming Assistant to the Dean of the University of Florida Graduate School in 1961. Seven years later, he moved to Florida Atlantic University where he was appointed Dean of Advanced Studies and Director of Research. In 1970, he returned to the University of Florida as the Dean of Faculties. A year later, he received a promotion to Associate Vice-President for Academic Affairs, and in 1975 he became Vice-President of Academic Affairs. Ten years later, the title of "provost" was added to his brief. He served as Interim President at the University of Florida from 1989-1990 and had recently retired when he received the call to be interim president at the University of Central Florida in 1991. He subsequently interrupted his retirement again to act as interim president at University of South Florida from 1993-1994. Ultimately, he retired to Gainesville.