Vice Admiral John Ryan, USN (Ret.) President of SUNY Maritime College Vice Admiral John R. Ryan, USN (Ret.) assumed his duties as the 32nd President of the State University of New York Maritime College on June 14, 2002 while aboard the training ship EMPIRE STATE VI in Dublin, Ireland. Prior to his arrival, Vice Admiral Ryan served as the United States Naval Academy Superintendent for the past four years. Vice Admiral Ryan’s naval career included serving as Commander, Maritime Surveillance and Reconnaissance Force, U.S. Sixth Fleet/Commander, Fleet Air Mediterranean/Commander, Maritime Air Forces, Mediterranean/Commander, Maritime Air Forces, Mediterranean located in Naples, Italy. In this assignment, he was responsible for operational control of six naval bases in three countries, all U.S. Maritime Surveillance and Reconnaissance forces in the Mediterranean Sea as well as coordinator of similar NATO forces. Vice Admiral Ryan received a Master of Science Degree in Administration from George Washington University, Washington D.C. in 1975. He has also 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., Vice Admiral Ryan graduated from the United States Naval Academy in June 1967 with his twin brother, Vice Admiral Norbert Ryan Jr., USN. After designation as a naval aviator, his initial assignment was to Patrol Squadron EIGHT. From 1972 to 1975, he was assigned to the Candidate Guidance Office at the Naval Academy. He then served two years aboard the USS Nimitz as Assistant Navigator followed by a department head tour in Patrol Squadron TWENTY-SIX. Prior to the selection for flag rank, Vice Admiral Ryan commanded Patrol Squadron ELEVEN, Patrol Squadron THIRTY-ONE, and Patrol Wing TEN. Other Shore assignments included the Strategic Concepts Group in the Office of Chief Naval Operations, Military Assistant to the Executive Secretary in the immediate office of the Secretary of Defense, Executive Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Air Warfare), and Executive Assistant to the Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Command. In March 1991, he was promoted to Rear Admiral and served as the Director, Logistics and Security Assistance (J4) for the Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Command. In August 1993, Vice Admiral Ryan assumed his duties as Commander, Patrol Wings, U.S. Pacific Fleet/Commander, Anti-Submarine Warfare Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet. Vice Admiral Ryan’s decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Medal (with oak leaf cluster), Legion of Merit (with two gold stars), Meritorious Service Medal (with two gold stars), Air Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (with two gold stars), and other service awards. Vice Admiral Ryan is married to the former Diane L. Ackerman of Bangor, Pa. They have three adult daughters-Tricia, Kelly, and Julie.