Dr. John W. Ryan was initiated into the Delta-Sigma Chapter at the University of Utah on November 18^th, 1950. On that day, one of the most significant leaders that Kappa Sigma would ever know joined the Order. Brother Ryan was not only an important leader for the Kappa Sigma, but he was also a motivator, a mentor, and a gifted educator who would significantly impact the higher education system throughout the world.

Brother Ryan served as President of Indiana University for 17 years (1971-1987) and his name is synonymous with the historic Big Ten Institution. He was revered by his students and treasured by countless alumni, faculty members, and administrators. Brother Ryan would serve as Interim President at Florida Atlantic University in 1989 and at the University of Maryland at Baltimore in 1994. He was Chancellor of the State University of New York from 1997 through 1999.

Brother Ryan was selected as Kappa Sigma’s forty-first Man of the Year in 1975 and would serve on the Supreme Executive Committee shortly after from 1981 to 1987. He served as Worthy Grand Master from 1985-1987. Brother Ryan was elected to the Kappa Sigma Endowment Fund in 1987 and again in 2001 holding the positions of Secretary and Treasurer.

In 2003, Brother Ryan was inducted to the Kappa Sigma Hall of Honor as a member of the Inaugural Class which included the Five Friends and Brothers, Stephen Alonzo Jackson, and Dr. Ryan's friend and Brother, Luke J. Schissel.

In honor of Dr. Ryan's legacy, the top twenty-five SLA applicants each year are inducted into the Dr. John W. Ryan Leadership Circle. In addition to receiving SLAs, Ryan winners also receive free registration and lodging for Leadership Conference or Grand Conclave. This year, Epsilon-Mu is proud to have had two undergraduates earn this distinguished honor, Brothers James Daly and Eric Aplis!