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 …