John Vincent Byrne is an American marine geologist and academic. He served as the 12th President of Oregon State University from 1984 to 1995. Byrne attended Hamilton College in his home state of New York where he earned a Bachelor of Science in marine geology in 1951. He later furthered his studies and earned a Masters of Science degree from Columbia University in geology in 1953, and a Ph.D in marine geology from the University of Southern California in 1957. Byrne came to Oregon State University in 1960 and served until 1981, during which time he served as the school's first Dean of Oceanography, Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies and Dean of Research. In 1981, Byrne was nominated by president Ronald Reagan to be the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. He held the position until 1984, when he returned to Oregon State when he was appointed as president, succeeding Robert William MacVicar. Byrne served until his retirement in 1995, when he was succeeded by Paul G. Risser. He resides in Corvallis, Oregon. 

May 9th, 1928 in Town of Hempstead (Age 96)