THE SOUTHERN

CARBONDALE - Longtime Southern Illinois University Carbondale administrator Seymour Bryson will retire Sept. 1 as the campus' associate chancellor for diversity.

Bryson, a three-degree graduate from the university, first came to campus as a student from Quincy on a basketball scholarship in 1955.

His tenure encompassed several faculty and administrative positions, including professor in the rehabilitation institute, director of what's now known as the Center for Academic Success and as the campus' affirmative action officer.

Bryson has been associate chancellor for diversity since May 1999.

"I've been able to see the university from the traditional academic side as a professor and a collegiate dean and, on the other hand, from the non-traditional side of diversity and equity," Bryson said in a university news release. "But what I'm proudest of is when I see students I've worked with over the years be successful."

In addition to his roles at the university, Bryson has served in various other organizations including the State Use Commission, the African American Family Commission and a stint as president of the Carbondale NAACP chapter.

He has also been presented with many awards, including the 2007 Senator Emil Jones Mentoring Award and the Distinguished Service Award from the Illinois Committee on Black Concerns in Higher Education.

Bryson said he still wants to be part of SIUC, despite his retirement from full-time duties.

"SIU has been very good to me," he said. "I'm very much connected with this university."

SIUC Interim Chancellor Sam Goldman said Bryson was the first person he worked with when coming to campus in 1980, and they have remained close friends and colleagues since.

"He is a most devoted and dedicated Saluki, and he has made significant contributions to the university and beyond," Goldman said.