[2][1][3] After graduating with his undergraduate degree in 1884, Bryan was appointed English instructor in the Preparatory Department at Indiana University.

When he returned from studying at the University of Berlin, Bryan was named full professor and granted money to conduct research on human reaction times.

[3] One of the early challenges of Bryan's presidency was providing the university campus with a sufficient amount of water for its operation.

(Bloomington, and the IU campus in particular, is located on a high ground without any major rivers or lakes in the vicinity, and with little usable groundwater).

[4] The city's waterworks existing in the early 20th century being utterly inadequate, Bryan commissioned a team of IU researchers, led by the geologist E.R.

[5] Although no longer used for water supply, the reservoir remains, and is the centerpiece of Indiana University's Research and Teaching Preserve (Griffy Woods).

Charlotte was often ill throughout her life, and Bryan often turned down social invitations so he could stay with his wife.