Dr. Douglas F. Mann
The Board of Trustees of Bryan College announced that Dr. Douglas F. Mann, who currently serves as vice president for Academics and provost, will become the college’s next president in July 2020. He will take office upon the retirement of Dr. Stephen Livesay.
Dr. Mann is a 1992 graduate of Bryan College and earned an M.A. degree in Christian Thought from Trinity International University. He later received his Ph.D. in history from The University of Georgia. Prior to joining the leadership of Bryan, he served in various leadership roles at Liberty University including vice provost for Graduate Education, administrative dean for Graduate Programs and dean of the Graduate School at Liberty University.
During that time, Dr. Mann provided leadership for academic administration and operations in the creation and implementation of more than 100 new graduate programs. Dr. Mann was engaged in all facets of graduate education including the review and improvement of curriculum; providing leadership in monitoring University compliance with Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges; oversight of the university’s Research Ethics office; and, provided support of faculty research that garnered more than $150,000 of internal funding through the graduate school. As an historian of the British Atlantic World, he also has extensive teaching and research experience in higher education. Upon taking office next year, Dr. Mann will become the eighth president of Bryan College.
Board of Trustees Chair Delana Bice said, “When President Livesay shared his plan to retire next summer, we knew we needed a leader who could continue the vision of growing the footprint of the campus while becoming a top-of-mind choice for potential students. In addition, we knew we needed someone who could challenge and encourage our staff as well as continue the community engagement that has been so important to our college’s success. Dr. Mann was without a doubt, our top choice to meet our needs and position Bryan for a very successful future.”
“As I returned to the college that laid the foundation for my own future, I realized the magnitude of doing the same for present and future students," said Dr. Mann. "Dr. Livesay has created significant partnerships that resonate around the globe as well as programs that meet the needs of today’s students. In addition, he has added departments and programs as well as established a strategic plan adopted by trustees, administration, faculty, staff, and students.”
He noted, “Dr. Livesay’s leadership garnered a significant gift to establish Bryan’s engineering program and next month, we’ll celebrate the opening of the Stophel Welcome Center. None of these things could’ve happened without his effective and passionate leadership and I am honored to work with him over the coming months to provide continuity in the vision for Bryan College’s future.”
Bryan College currently has 1,450 enrolled students and with the recently announced 40% tuition reduction, is looking to potentially double that number within the coming years. “Dr. Livesay led the effort that would reach out to students who might not have been able to afford higher education,” said Ms. Bice. “His visionary leadership has brought our school through some challenging times and prepared us for a future that will be nothing short of extraordinary. As a board, we appreciate Dr. Livesay’s hard work and know Bryan College is in very capable hands with Dr. Mann.”
She added, “Our students are taught to go out into the world to serve Christ. Dr. Mann’s experiences and expertise garnered throughout the years have prepared him for this next step and we are blessed to know that he has been led to serve his alma mater as our next leader.”
Dr. Mann and his wife, Susi, have four children, two of whom are current students at Bryan.