Dr. Robert A. Bryan served as UF’s Interim President from April 1989 to March 1990. He began his career at the university in 1957 as an English professor. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Miami and both his master’s and doctoral degrees in English from the University of Kentucky. By 1961, he had been named the assistant dean of UF’s graduate school. He spent a year at Florida Atlantic University and later returned to UF, serving as the dean of faculties. In 1975, Bryan was named the vice president of Academic Affairs, holding this position for nearly 15 years; he became the university’s first provost in 1985.

Although officially retired, Bryan has kept very busy at UF over the years. He has served as a member of the Leadership Gifts Committee, Campaign Steering Committee, the Athletic Association Board of Directors, Friends of Music Board of Directors, Law Center Association Board and the Learned Scholarship Committee. He has also been a member of the UF Foundation Board of Directors since 1990. For Bryan’s years of devoted service to the university, he was selected as an Honorary Alumnus in 199