Professor of philosophy at Indiana University (1885–1902), vice president of Indiana University (1893–1902) William Lowe Bryan, Indiana University’s tenth president, was born on a farm near Bloomington, Indiana. After graduating from IU with degrees in ancient classics and philosophy, his interests shifted toward psychology and Bryan went on to earn his Ph.D. in psychology from Clark University in 1892. That same year Bryan helped organize the American Psychological Association and became one of its charter members.
Bryan returned to IU in 1893 to accept a professorship in the psychology department and the appointment to Vice President of the university. He succeeded Joseph Swain as president in 1902 and led the institution for 35 years until 1937, at which time he retired as president emeritus at the age of 76. Bryan presided over the transformation of IU from a small, traditional liberal arts college into a modern research university. His most notable accomplishment was the expansion of graduate and professional training. During his administration, schools of medicine, education, nursing, business, music, and dentistry were established.