Myles Brand

Myles Neal Brand (May 17, 1942 – September 16, 2009) was a philosopher and university administrator, notably serving as the 14th president of the University of Oregon, the 16th president of Indiana University, and the fourth president of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Born in Brooklyn, New York, Brand earned a Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Rochester. His academic career included teaching and administrative positions at several universities, including the University of Pittsburgh, University of Illinois at Chicago, University of Arizona, and Ohio State University, before ascending to presidencies. His philosophical work centered on the philosophy of action, with key publications like "The Nature of Human Action" (1970) and "Intending and Acting: Toward a Naturalized Action Theory" (1984). Brand's tenure at Indiana University (1994–2002) saw significant financial growth and the controversial firing of basketball coach Bob Knight. As NCAA president (2003–2009), he focused on academic reforms and tracking graduation rates. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in January 2009 and passed away in September of that year at age 67. His legacy includes academic building namings and scholarly reflections on his contributions.