Gardner to Assume Vice Presidency at WSU on July 1
John C. Gardner, vice president for research and economic
development for the University of Missouri system, will
become the vice president for economic development and
extension for Washington State University on July
1.
In making the announcement, WSU President Elson S. Floyd
praised Gardner's long and distinguished career in
economic development, agriculture and research and said
he is the right person to coordinate the university's
efforts in helping build the state's economy.
"Economic development is a vital part of what we do for
our state and region. To be as effective as possible, I
think it is important for us to coordinate our efforts
under unified leadership," said Floyd.
"As a land-grant university, we have the responsibility
to extend ourselves into every county in Washington,"
Floyd said. "It is very important for us to make sure
that we communicate to the governor and to the
legislature and to all of our stakeholders that we indeed
contribute to the economic development and vitality of
the state."
Floyd said the new vice president would be based in
Seattle, which he referred to as the "hub of economic
activity and growth in the state." Gardner will also work
closely with colleagues in Pullman and at each of the
university's campuses, as well as in research centers and
extension offices around Washington, Floyd said.
"I am an agronomist, born and bred in the land-grant
system," Gardner said. "But I don't see the world through
the viewpoint of disciplines, nor teaching or research or
extension. Our opportunity is not based on looking
inward, but outward towards a global economy based on
innovation."
Gardner said that, by being based in Seattle, he hoped he
could make connections and build bridges to further
finance and develop WSU's research.
Gardner has served as vice president for research and
economic development at the University of Missouri since
October 2005. Previously, he had served as associate dean
of research and outreach in the university's College of
Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources.
He said he is excited by the opportunities offered by WSU
and by the institution's potential in research and
economic development.
"Obviously, I have a lot of experience and faith in Dr.
Floyd (the former president of the University of
Missouri) and his leadership and what he can do," Gardner
said.
Prior to coming to MU in late 1999, Gardner was one of
the founders and the general manager/CEO of AgGrow Oils,
which produced, processed and marketed specialty
oilseeds.
Gardner earned a bachelor's degree in agriculture and a
master's in agronomy from Kansas State University and a
doctoral degree in agronomy and crop physiology from the
University of Nebraska.
Gardner visited Pullman and Seattle last week to discuss
the position with Floyd and with administrators, faculty
and staff.
The appointment of Gardner is the latest of several
administrative changes that Floyd has put in place since
taking over as WSU president on May 21. He consolidated
the offices of student affairs and equity and diversity
and appointed Michael J. Tate, who had previously served
as vice president for equity and diversity, as the vice
president in charge of both areas.
Mary Doyle, who has served in the dual roles of vice
president for Information Systems and vice provost for
administration at Washington State University since 2002,
is now devoting her energy full time to enhanced duties
in the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice
President. Effective June 1, she is vice provost for
academic planning, budget and resource management.
Floyd said he is currently seeking a new vice president
for information technology who will serve as the chief
information officer for the university.