News

GSI Statement on the Passing of WSU President Dr. Elson Floyd

Elson S. Floyd 2007-CURRENT Elson S. Floyd was named President of the four-campus Washington State University on December 13, 2006. He took office as the 10th president of Washington State's land-grant research university on May 21, 2007. He leads one of America's most productive research universities. WSU is classified among the nation's 96 leading public and private universities with very high research activity by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Dr. Floyd brings to WSU an exceptionally wide range of administrative experience, as well as valuable state and national perspectives on higher education issues and policies. Career Before coming to WSU, he was president of the four-campus University of Missouri for four years and president of Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo for more than four years. While at Western Michigan University, he also was a tenured faculty member in the Department of Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology and in the Department of Teaching, Learning and Leadership. Dr. Floyd spent from 1995 to 1998 at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, one of the nation's leading research institutions, where he served as chief administrative and operating officer and the senior official responsible for business and finance; human resources; auxiliary enterprises; student affairs; information technology; university advancement and development; and enrollment management. For two years he was executive director of the Washington State Higher Education Coordinating Board, the agency responsible for statewide planning, policy analysis and student financial aid programs for Washington's post-secondary education system. From 1990 to 1993, Dr. Floyd served as vice president for student services, vice president for administration, and executive vice president at Eastern Washington University. In the latter capacity, he was the university's chief operating officer. WSU's president began his career in 1978 at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he held deanships in the Division of Student Affairs, the General College and the College of Arts and Sciences. From 1988 to 1990, he was assistant vice president for student services for the UNC system office, where he helped develop and articulate student affairs and academic affairs policy for the 16-campus university system. Education A native of Henderson, N.C., Dr. Floyd holds a bachelor of arts degree in political science and speech, a master of education degree in adult education, and a doctor of philosophy degree in higher and adult education, all from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Honors Among other honors, Dr. Floyd is the recipient of the 2005 Communicator of the Year Award, given by the Mid-Missouri Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). He also received the 2004 James C. Kirkpatrick Award given by the Northwest Missouri Press Association for public service. Other honors include the 2004 Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Dr. Floyd's former high school, Darlington School, in Georgia. Academic field Higher and Adult Education, Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

(Spokane, Wash.) – Greater Spokane Incorporated President and CEO Steve Stevens Issued a Statement Regarding the Passing of Washington State University President Dr. Elson Floyd.

“Today I was greatly saddened to learn of the passing of Dr. Elson Floyd, PhD.  Many have already eloquently commented on his passing as a great loss for the region, higher education and our state.  I strongly concur with all of them, but want to express that I believe his passing is a tremendous loss for the entire business community.

Less than one year ago, I began work as President & CEO of Greater Spokane Incorporated and as a newcomer, many individuals contacted me to discuss the relationships that existed and were needed to help us accomplish our important work. Within the first few weeks of my arrival, Dr. Floyd reached out to me and we began our short relationship discussing the critical partnership between the business community and Washington State University.

Many years before my arrival, visionary leaders created tremendous energy and support to build and grow medical education in our region – first to attempt to offset the large shortage of physicians faced by our state, but even bigger, to drive economic prosperity in our region through research and economic development.  Dr. Floyd was very much part of that vision.  Put simply, he ‘got it’ when it came to leading, driving and partnering to accomplish what needed to be done.  His leadership will affect countless citizens for decades to come.

His legacy stands in this community through our vibrant and growing University District with its multi-disciplinary educational opportunities.  More importantly, I feel fortunate that I had the chance to get to know him – if only briefly – to be inspired by his integrity, hard work and tenacity.  We have lost one of Spokane’s Most Valuable Players.  On behalf of the business community, we mourn his passing.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.”

Share

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Articles

March 21, 2024

At this year’s GSI Annual Meeting, we shined a light on the amazing partner work that’s being done in our community to lift our region...

March 20, 2024

By Pia Hallenberg *This story first appeared in the 2023 GSI Connect Magazine, which can found on our About Us page. Connect with us and learn how your...
Posted in: Public Policy

March 14, 2024

Thank you to everyone who joined us at this year’s Annual Meeting. Presented by Marsh McLennan Agency, our event centered around the theme of “Remarkable...
Scroll to Top