US Announces Leadership Change

12/16/2016

Brent D. Ballard, president and chair of the University School Board of Trustees, announced the appointment of Richard C. Bryan, Jr. as the school's 9th headmaster. Headmaster Ben Rein resigned after a leave of absence. Rein requested the leave in November for personal, family, and professional reasons.

"Ben's legacy includes implementation of the school's new strategic plan, the most recent accreditation by the Independent Schools Associaion of the Central States and the very successful conclusion of the nine-year We Are US comprehensive capital campaign, which raised more than $108 million," Ballard said. "We greatly value the work Ben has done for us and support the decision he has made. We wish him well." Rein joined University School in March 2015.

Bryan, who took on headmaster duties during Rein’s leave, will serve as the headmaster of University School, effective Jan. 2, 2017.

“The Board is pleased to have someone of Rick’s caliber serve in this role,” Ballard said. “Rick has a thorough understanding of University School from his work here as a trustee and as an alumnus. He is energized and well prepared to lead US.”

For the last three years as a trustee, Bryan chaired the education committee of the Board during the school’s recent re-accreditation by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States. He was also involved in the development of the school’s current strategic plan.

Headmaster Bryan brings to his role a distinguished career in independent school education. For 19 years, he served as headmaster of the Nichols School, an acclaimed independent school in Buffalo, New York. More recently, he served as the executive director of the Education Collaborative of Western New York, a consortium of 15 independent schools. He previously served as president of the board for the New York State Association of Independent Schools. He was also a member of that organization’s Commission on Accreditation. During Bryan’s tenure, he chaired nine school accreditations.

“This is an incredible opportunity to advance the institution that did the most to shape me,” said Bryan. “I believe deeply in our mission – to inspire boys of promise to become young men of character who lead and serve. I look forward to ensuring we send into the world young men ideally prepared to address all of the challenges and opportunities of life.”

Bryan is a 1970 graduate of University School. He received his bachelor’s degree in history from Trinity College, and his master’s degree in history from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He and his wife, the Reverend Judith Brown Bryan, have two grown daughters and one grandson.

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