Students, faculty, friends, and industry partners with the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences paid tribute to the late WSU President Elson Floyd this week.
Floyd, who died Saturday, June 20, at age 59, after a battle with cancer, left a legacy of dedication and aspiring to excellence from his eight short years as president. He helped and inspired CAHNRS to better serve and embrace our students, our professions, and our world.
Below, the CAHNRS family shares stories, photos, and memories of President Floyd’s impact and personality.
PROSSER, Wash. – Six students from two Hispanic-serving institutions in Yakima Valley explored careers in agriculture research through a new summer internship program at Washington State University’s Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center (IAREC). Hispanic-serving institutions – or HSIs – are colleges and universities where Hispanic students comprise at least 25% of the student population. […]
“Viticulture & Enology students should produce a commemorative white wine and a commemorative red in honor of Dr. Floyd”
“Dr. Floyd’s interaction with the undergraduates has been well documented, and our students were fortunate to have experienced this firsthand.”
“What was striking was his commitment to respecting and engaging all the stakeholders who had worked so hard and so long…”
“Floyd’s message was that research was the cornerstone of WSU’s mission and that there would be growth in research, not reductions, during his watch.”
“Dr. Floyd helped us to build something truly special, a unique partnership with the tree fruit industry in the state.”
“The Washington tree fruit industry is immeasurably grateful for President Floyd’s commitment to agriculture and WSU’s Land Grant mission.”
“He will be sorely missed by the wheat and barley growers of Washington.”
“During his too brief eight year tenure, he strengthened WSU’s connection to agriculture, especially the wheat industry.”
“Dr. Floyd didn’t grandstand and take credit, but he was integral to plotting the positive direction for the wheat industry within the university.”
