Elson S. Floyd, Ph.D. – 9/12/07

Last week’s news about enrollment was overwhelmingly positive across our university. The 10th day figures showed higher enrollments university-wide; Pullman’s largest freshman class ever; a first class of freshmen that far exceeded expectations at WSU Tri-Cities; a well-qualified, diverse group of incoming students.

I am excited to see that WSU is keeping our commitment to the state and providing higher education for more Washingtonians.

At the same time, I see those positive numbers as only one step toward what I would consider true success.

As I have traveled around Washington these past few months to become reacquainted with community … » More …

Elson S. Floyd, Ph.D. – 9/5/07

Recently, I spent a most delightful afternoon in San Francisco with Jane Logan.

In so many ways, Jane exemplifies the essence of Washington State University tenacious, strong, caring, with a powerful heart.

Her love for WSU was principally derived through her late husband Roscoe (Rock) Logan (BS, Engineering & Architecture, ’33). A successful entrepreneur and businessman, he was co-founder of Braddock, Logan and Valley.  Started shortly after the end of WWII, his firm, today known as Braddock & Logan, continues its impressive architectural footprint in the Bay Area.

Jane shared memories of Pullman and “Washington State College” and challenged … » More …

Elson S. Floyd, Ph.D. – 8/29/07

Ask someone where Washington State University is located, and you will likely hear, “Pullman.”

That answer, of course, is both right and wrong. Pullman is the home of our oldest and largest campus and is the center of our university’s administration. And that is not going to change. But Washington State University has become, by any measure, a statewide enterprise. We are very much the state’s university.

The statewide impact and mission of WSU will be on display next week during the annual Seattle Week. This will be my first Seattle Week, but I have heard much about its … » More …

Elson S. Floyd, Ph.D. – 8/22/07

President Elson S. Floyd discusses the opening of his first academic year as Washington State University’s president, the new members of his leadership team, the university’s enrollment outlook and the growth picture for WSU in an on-line interview available via:

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Elson S. Floyd, Ph.D. – 8/15/07
Increasingly, colleges and universities across the country are relying on private philanthropy to fill the financial gap between mediocrity and excellence.

This was long considered an important part of the mission of private universities; now public universities are becoming major players in the fundraising world. It is commonplace for public universities to complete $2 billion campaigns, as has recently been the case at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of Washington, to name just two.

How much more room is there for competitive growth in this arena? It is hard to say with … » More …

Elson S. Floyd, Ph.D. – 8/1/07

In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the Industrial Revolution transformed our nation from an agrarian to a manufacturing economy. Today’s ongoing transformation is just as dramatic, as the world’s economy is changing from one based on resources to one based on knowledge and human capital.

Those of us in higher education are in the knowledge business. And the modern research university must play a central role in that economic renewal.

The great economic development potential in Washington is a major reason that I was excited to come back to this state. Clearly, Washington already is … » More …

Elson S. Floyd, Ph.D. – 7/18/07

One of the greatest powers of the Internet is its ability to break down the barriers of distance.

Today, articles from a newspaper in another country are a click away, just like the contents of your local newspaper. If you cannot find a specific product in a local store, you can buy it on the Internet from a merchant located anywhere. People interested in a particular field – whether it is Cougar sports or nuclear physics – can discover like-minded people worldwide with whom to share information on-line.

By making distance less relevant, the Internet permits exceptional programs to … » More …

Welcome to the inaugural issue of “Perspectives”

Elson S. Floyd, Ph.D. – 7/11/07

This column is one method I will use to keep the WSU community and our various constituency groups up to date on university decisions and initiatives. Usually, it will carry my byline. Other times, I will invite others to share stories about WSU’s impact and aspirations. I hope you all will find it useful and informative.

Animal Health Initiative 

A few surprises come with the start of any new job. Fortunately, most of the surprises I have encountered since becoming WSU’s 10th president in late May have been pleasant ones. It is … » More …