Ryan named SUNYchancellor; notes plans to increase enrollment, fund-raising

Ryan, who had served since July 1 as interim chancellor, was president of Indiana University from 1971-87 and is a past chair of the Association of American Universities.

While Ryan declared he was not a candidate for the permanent position when he was given the interim assignment, earlier this month he indicated he was now available for the job and the search committee on April 14 voted unanimously to recommend him as chancellor.

The SUNY Trustees approved his appointment by a vote of 10-1.

The dissenting vote was cast by Roderick Chu, who said he voted in the negative not because of the outcome of the search, but because of a "flawed" process. Chu told reporters that he had been a candidate for the position.

Ryan said in a press release issued by the SUNY Office of University Relations that he looks forward "to leading the State University through and beyond its 50th anniversary year.

"Even before the university's creation in 1948," he added, "our campuses have been making important contributions to the quality of life and to the economic vitality of the state. My plan is to build upon these great resources so that we may further enhance the outstanding educational experience that our students now receive."

Ryan said he wants to "continue to recruit the best and brightest faculty, students and top campus leaders in order to create a unique educational experience at the State University. As part of a key goal to increase our enrollment, will be an effort to attract more in-state and out-of-state students, thus furthering the university's richness and diversity."

He added, "We will be increasing our fund-raising, and seeking to improve upon the support we receive from alumni and the State University campus communities in order to keep our campuses strong components of these communities.

"Our energies also need to be aimed at completing the Rethinking SUNY goals. We will continue to sharpen our focus in serving the State of New York by allowing each campus to develop a more defined mission, greater autonomy and greater management flexibility."

Thomas F. Egan, chair of the SUNY Trustees and the search committee, praised Ryan's appointment, noting, "Jack Ryan, unquestionably, is an outstanding leader with the experience, knowledge, intellect, temperament and wisdom to take the State University to the forefront of American higher education."

UB President William R. Greiner described Ryan's appointment as "a great appointment for SUNY and for UB.

"I believe the SUNY system can really make some progress for our students and fellow New Yorkers with Jack at the helm," Greiner said. "He's already done some wonderful things under very difficult circumstances. I applaud the choice of the Trustees and search committee."

Greiner noted that Ryan "brings a wealth of experience. He's nationally known and respected, with a first-rate network of contacts that will stand State University in very good stead. He's also a genuinely decent human being, as smart as can be."

Also praising Ryan was Molly McKeown, deputy to Greiner, who represented UB on the search committee.

The fact that Ryan was willing to extend his commitment to accept the chancellorship "sends a very strong message to people across the U.S. When a person of the caliber of Jack Ryan, having been in the system several months and having seen its strengths and weaknesses, decides to stay as part of the team, I think that sends a strong message."

In addition, she noted, "He has a wealth of knowledge and connections built into the higher-education network across the U.S."

McKeown said that when the search committee got down to interviewing finalists for the position, it became clear to her that the strengths that each of them offered were collective strengths held by Ryan.

She said she thought to herself more than once, "It's too bad Jack Ryan won't be a candidate."

When Ryan made himself available as a candidate, McKeown said it came as no surprise to her that he garnered unanimous support from the search committee.

McKeown said the search, which began with the appointment of the committee in May 1996 following the resignation of Thomas Bartlett, who had been chancellor since 1994, attracted strong candidates.

She took issue with reports in the news media that the search did not attract high-caliber candidates because of SUNY's ongoing financial problems.

"I don't think the reputation of the institution prevented people who wanted to explore the possibility of being chancellor from applying," she added.

According to the SUNY Office of University Relations, more than 100 candidates applied for or were nominated for the job and the search committee interviewed "more than a dozen interested candidates from across the country."