Bryan hints at future in education

Jeffrey Libby

Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2000 | 11:05 a.m.

U.S. Sen. Richard Bryan, whose announcement last spring that he would not run for a third term elicited elegies from both Democrats and Republicans, may be considering a teaching post in the state's university system.

Bryan dropped that hint Monday during the Sun's news discussion show "POV Vegas," which airs on Las Vega One, Cox cable channels 1 and 39.

"I might enjoy teaching, sharing some of the experiences I've had with students, that they might find helpful," Bryan said when asked by host Mark Shaffer if he would consider becoming chancellor of the University and Community College System of Nevada.

The university Board of Regents has narrowed the field of candidates for chancellor to six. Earlier in the search process, Bryan's name had circulated as a possibility, and Bryan acknowledged that he had been approached.

"As I've said many times, my wife said to me, 'I married you for better or for worse, but not for lunch.' " Bryan said.

Bryan characterized the job of chancellor as a "full-time, 80-hour a week undertaking," one that was not right for him at this time.

"I want a little flexibility, to spend some time with the three little grandchildren that have blessed our lives," Bryan said.

Bryan said, however, that he would put off any final decisions until this session of Congress closes in October.

Reached this morning, Bryan said he would consider a part-time teaching position at either of the state's universities -- UNLV or the University of Nevada, Reno -- "a couple of hours a week. It obviously has to work for the university, too," he said. "I'm not talking about something in Santa Barbara or L.A. It would be here."

When asked about what kind of reception Bryan might receive at UNLV, Carol Harter, president of the university, said, "If he's interested, we'd love to have him. We're pleasantly surprised."

Bryan, an attorney, said he has talked to "a number of people" about the possibility and does not know whether he would teach at the undergraduate level or at the William S. Boyd School of Law at UNLV.

"I want to be involved in the community," Bryan said on "POV Vegas." "I believe in public service. I care very much for the community. It's where I've lived 59 years of my life."

Bryan began his political career in 1952 with a successful run for sophomore class president of Las Vegas High School. Bryan went on to serve in both houses of the Nevada Legislature, the state attorney general's office, as governor and and as U.S. senator.