SUNY Maritime President Ryan Named Interim President of University at Albany

Albany – The State University of New York Board of Trustees today unanimously voted to name SUNY Maritime College President, Vice Adm. John R. Ryan, USN (Ret.), as interim president of the University at Albany.

“I am delighted that Admiral Ryan will be serving as interim president of the University at Albany,” said Board Chair Thomas F. Egan.  “President Ryan’s significant academic, philanthropic and fiscal achievements at our Maritime College, and at the Naval Academy, combined with his extensive experience and success leading and managing large complex organizations, make him an ideal choice to lead the University at Albany until a new permanent president is chosen. I want to thank him for agreeing to assume this additional responsibility.

“I would also like to extend my deep appreciation to Karen Hitchcock for her many years of fine service to the State University of New York and to express my best wishes to her and her family.”

“We are fortunate to have Admiral Ryan leading the University at Albany while the search for a permanent president in underway,” said Chancellor Robert L. King.  “His tremendous success increasing philanthropic support, coupled with his strong capital facilities and fiscal management skills, make him an excellent choice to lead the campus on an interim basis.  I am deeply grateful to him for agreeing to serve in both capacities.”

“At this time I want to sincerely thank Dr. Carlos Santiago for serving as officer-in-charge during this transition period.”

“I am honored the Board has selected me to play a part in leading the campus during the search for a permanent leader,” said Ryan. “Working with the students, faculty and staff at the campus will be a great pleasure and I am looking forward to the challenges that come with leading a large, dynamic institution such as the University at Albany.”

Ryan was appointed president of the Maritime College by the Board of Trustees on Oct. 23, 2001, and started his presidency on June 15, 2002. He will continue in that capacity while serving as interim president at Albany. Ryan will not be a candidate for the position of permanent president at the University at Albany.

Ryan served as superintendent (president) of the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis from 1998 to 2002, overseeing a $220 million annual budget and 7,000 faculty, staff and students.  While at Annapolis, Ryan enjoyed overwhelming faculty support.  During his presidency, the Faculty Senate praised the academic focus of his administration and passed a unanimous resolution requesting that he remain for an additional four year term -- a first in the history of the school.

During his tenure, the Naval Academy Foundation launched a $175 million “Leaders to Serve the Nation” campaign designed to raise the bar of excellence in six key areas: academics; character development; leadership; admissions; athletics and unrestricted support. $125 million was raised in the first two years of the five year campaign, with numerous endowed chairs and new programs established.

Ryan received his master’s degree from George Washington University in administration in Washington, D.C., and completed the Program for Senior Executives in National and International Security at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University. 

A native of Mountainhome, Pa., Ryan graduated from the Naval Academy in June of 1967 with his twin brother Vice Adm. Norbert Ryan, Jr. and earned the designation of Naval Aviator in October 1968.  He has been a pilot for 35 years.

The first in his class to reach the rank of rear admiral, he distinguished himself as a line officer and effective leader, commanding patrol squadrons in the Mediterranean and Indian and Pacific Oceans.  He coordinated the overseas operations of six government facilities located in three countries, which included three airports, four naval ports and three hospitals with personnel totaling more than 10,000. In 1998, Ryan was appointed Vice Admiral by President Clinton and confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

Ryan is married to the former Diane L. Ackerman of Bangor, Pa.  They have three adult daughters-Tricia, Kelly, and Julie, and three grandchildren.

The University at Albany enrolls more than 17,000 undergraduate and graduate students in nine schools and colleges across three campuses.

The Maritime College, located at Fort Schuyler in New York City, enrolls approximately 1,100 students, and offers undergraduate and graduate programs in international business, engineering, science and technology. It also features 16 varsity athletic teams, ROTC options, and U.S. Coast Guard license and non-license programs.