Margaret Benson, Chair, Department of Animal Sciences

WSU President Elson Floyd visits with members of the Student Swine Cooperative.
WSU President Elson Floyd visits with members of the Student Swine Cooperative.

The Department of Animal Sciences saw, valued and benefited from President Floyd’s commitment to and engagement with our students. Dr. Floyd’s interaction with the undergraduates has been well documented and our students were fortunate to have experienced this firsthand.

For example, the Student Swine Cooperative holds an annual meeting open to industry representatives, parents, fellow students, faculty and staff, to report on the year’s accomplishments, challenges and current events impacting them and the swine industry. The excitement and validation that their hard work was noted by the President of Washington State University was heightened when they received word from his office that they were on his schedule for a busy spring Saturday on campus.

When President Floyd arrived, he immediately worked the crowd, focused on the students, and offered some remarks that clearly demonstrated he had done some homework on this group of students prior to his arrival. His dedication, typified by his participation in this event served our students well and and will be long remembered by all.

Elson Floyd meets members of the Animal Sciences Students of Entrepreneurship organization.
Elson Floyd meets members of the Animal Sciences Students of Entrepreneurship organization.

Another group of students, the Animal Science Students of Entrepreneurship, requested an opportunity to visit President Floyd, discuss with him their project of marketing “Go Cougs” woolen blankets, and to present him with one as a gift. They were welcomed into his office, began their prepared remarks, but soon found themselves engaged in relaxed conversation with a man who was genuinely interested in them and their activities.

It was also noted that before they could present him with a blanket, he instead purchased one with his own checkbook and wished the students much success in their ventures. Again, a long-lasting impact on this group of students who frequently recanted their experience with the president to later members of the group. These are only two examples among others that help illustrate what President Floyd meant to our students and the lengths he went to personally engage.

— Margaret Benson, Chair, Department of Animal Sciences