Francis “Fran” Bires (born 1957) started his career in 1981 as an intern at the McKeever Environmental Learning Center. He was subsequently hired there as an environmental educator in 1983. In 1995, Bires became McKeever’s director, ushering in an era focused on program enhancement and environmental awareness.
The McKeever Center offered dynamic programs for school-aged students, and quickly became one of the best spaces in western Pennsylvania for student teaching opportunities in environmental education. Bires went on to hold a dual position at SRU, simultaneously directing the McKeever Center as well as the Macoskey Center for Sustainability Systems Education and Research from 2012 until his retirement in 2016.