John R. Brazil

John Russell Brazil (March 5, 1946 – June 2, 2022) was an American university administrator and professor of English and American studies. He was the president of Trinity University, Southeastern Massachusetts University, and Bradley University.

Early life John Russel Brazil was born on March 5, 1946 and grew up in northern California. His parents were Helen and Burton Brazil. He then attended Yale University, earning a Master of Philosophy in 1972 and a Ph.D. in American studies in 1975.

Career In 1968, Brazil was a teaching fellow at Yale, where he taught American studies, English, and history. While at Bradley, he oversaw a capital campaign that raised more than $125 million.

In 1999, he became the 17th president of Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. He also served on the boards of the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, San Antonio Medical Foundation, the Southwest Research Institute, the Texas Research Park Foundation, the United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, and the World Affairs Council of San Antonio.

Brazil died after a long illness on June 2, 2022, at the age of 76.