The Society of Fire Protection Engineers presented John L. Bryan with its first Mentoring Award. This award will be named the John L. Bryan Mentoring Award.

Professor Bryan was recognized for his leadership in establishing the University of Maryland Department of Fire Protection Engineering and serving as the as the department chair from its establishment in 1956 until his retirement in 1993. Under his leadership the department evolved from a modest, one-person operation to one of the preeminent fire protection engineering programs in the world.

“As the department chair, Professor Bryan has mentored and inspired a significant number of fire protection students. He was known as a professor who cared deeply for his students and tended to put their needs in front of his own,” said SFPE Engineering Program Manager Chris Jelenewicz. “He always encouraged his students to develop their own individual talents and strengths. In fact, it would be difficult to find a significant contribution in modern fire protection engineering that was not affected by one of his students.”

Bryan has more than 25 years of active career and volunteer fire department experience that includes a life membership with the College Park (Md.) Volunteer Fire Department. He was named SFPE Man of the Year in 1977.