The story began in 1984 when, at the age of 45, “Buck” enrolled in an associate degree program at ACC. Already a successful real estate entrepreneur, stock market investor and pilot for US Air, he said he decided it was time he received a “proper business education.” An earlier college career as a teenager had ended when Buck enlisted in the U.S. Navy after earning just nine credits.
After earning his associate degree in 1987, and while continuing his career as an airline pilot, Buck went on to earn both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from SUNY Plattsburgh, with many of the classes taken on the ACC campus. After retiring from US Air as a Senior Captain, he enrolled yet again at ACC, where he earned a second associate degree and honors as his class valedictorian in 1994 at the age of 58. Buck is now an adjunct business faculty member at ACC and president of the ACC Foundation.
“Buck is tremendously generous with his time, talent and treasure, and greatly liked and respected by his students, fellow faculty, and everyone at ACC,” said Joseph A. Cutshall-King, vice president for institutional advancement at the college.
“Buck Bryan epitomizes what the Regional Higher Education Center is all about,” said ACC President Ronald C. Heacock, Ph.D. “He has a deep interest in learning, a contagious entrepreneurial spirit and an unyielding desire to play a role in making this community and its college successful.”
