Born and raised in southeast Missouri, Brennan came to UD fresh out of the University of Missouri School of Journalism. A few months later, Brennan and his late wife, Susan, whom he met at Missouri, were married in the attic chapel of UD’s Methodist student center, which is now the Center for Black Culture, on South College Avenue. He worked as an entry-level assistant news editor in what was then called the Office of Public Information, typing press releases about UD news and then mailing them to local journalists who might call him a few days later about the story.

“The speed of communications has changed dramatically,” Brennan says (always more comfortable talking about his work than himself). “Not only are you able to do things faster now; you’re expected to do it faster, too.”

Over the years, he helped document UD’s growth into a research powerhouse with an international reputation. He’s written extensively about our evolving campus, for example watching both the construction of McKinly Lab in the mid-1970s and its demolition earlier this year. As a talented and precise writer, Brennan has been a sounding board and a mentor-by-example for generations of communications professionals.

“His office is the gathering place, and that’s really important because it makes everyone better at their job when writers think about design and designers think about writing,” says Nan Mulqueen, former director of leadership communications at UD and now director of executive communications for the University System of Maryland. “And he welcomed it. He knew this was inconvenient and he’d have to be at work for another hour, but he never complained or kicked people out. He loves it when people around him, who he’s had a hand in helping, succeed.”

Brennan’s own professional role model was Mary Hempel, a fellow Missouri graduate who ran UD’s communications office and hired him. “She was a very caring person with high journalistic standards,” he says. “The wording, punctuation and facts had to be correct. She had an open heart and loved talking to people.”

One evening in 2005, Hempel passed away suddenly after leaving her office in the Academy Building. It was Brennan’s job to break the news to the staff the next morning. He spoke at her memorial service at the Bob Carpenter Center, and he stepped into her role in the communications office.

“It was John who everyone relied on when he was grieving himself,” Rich recalls.

That’s who Brennan is, say current and former leaders of the University.

“John is a steady leader and is respected by everyone who works with him,” says UD President Dennis Assanis. “We’re grateful and incredibly fortunate that he has committed so much time and energy to making the University such a great institution.”

David P. Roselle, UD President Emeritus, who served as president from 1990 to 2007, calls it “an honor and privilege to have worked with John. There is no one that thinks more highly of John than I do.”

“He’s a model for a first-rate professional employee,” says G. Arno Loessner, former vice president and University secretary. “At a time when everyone seems to be out for themselves, John is a breath of fresh air.”

Ask Brennan for the secret to his longevity and success, and he will—of course—direct the spotlight on others.

“There’s something about the culture of a university, being in this environment where almost everyone stays between the ages of 18 and 22,” he says. “There’s a level of energy and excitement that makes you feel like you’re younger than you really are. You can kind of kid yourself that you don’t age either.

“It’s the people who make the job fun,” he continues. “To be part of something that’s going to change the world, that’s intoxicating.”