State College of Washington Office of the President: Enoch A. Bryan Records, 1888-1952

The functions and duties of University President are defined in University Faculty Manual, edition of 1987, as:

In addition to being designated as secretary ex officio of the Board of Regents, the President as general agent of the Board is the chief executive officer of Washington State University. The President administers the policies approved by the Board of Regents, serves as advisor to the Board on policies and operations and is the agent through whom representations to the Board are regularly made. Other functions of the chief executive officer include: Leadership in developing policies and organization for teaching, research, and extension programs. Public administration of the University, including representation before the Legislature and other state agencies. Responsibility for the general welfare of students; the development, operation and maintenance of buildings, lands and equipment; financial matters pertaining to development, operation and maintenance of University; and the administration of regulations adopted by the Board of Regents. Responsibility, delegated by the Board of Regents, for all appointments, promotion, salaries, leaves, resignations, and dismissals. Presiding at meetings of the general faculty.

Enoch A. Bryan was born in Bloomington, Indiana, on May 10, 1855. He received an A.B. degree from Indiana University in 1878 and an A.M. Degree from that university in 1885. He also received an A.M. degree from Harvard University in 1893. He later received Honorary Doctor of Law degrees from Indiana University (1920), Michigan State University (1907), and Washington State University (1929). Bryan was President of Vincennes University from 1882-1893, after serving as the Superintendent of Public Schools in Grayville, Illinois. He came to the State College of Washington (initially called the Agricultural College, Experiment Station, and School of Science of the State of Washington, and now known as Washington State University) in 1893 and served as its president until 1916, when he became the Commissioner of Education for the State of Idaho, from 1917 to 1923. He had failed in 1916 to attain the nomination for a seat in the United States Senate.

Dr. Bryan returned to the State College of Washington in 1923 and was a professor of economic history until 1939, when he became a professor emeritus. During his lifetime he wrote three books: "The Mark in Europe and America", "The History of the State College of Washington", and "Orient Meets Occident or The Advent of the Railways into the Pacific Northwest". Dr. Bryan died in Pullman, Washington, on November 6, 1941.