Elson Floyd named 1st Black Washington State Univ. prexy

Jet, Jan 8, 2007

Elson Floyd, president of the four-campus University of Missouri, was named Washington State University's new president. He will be the first Black to hold the post.

Floyd, who will become the university's 10th president, will succeed V. Lane Rawlins, who plans to retire June 30.

"Washington State University is a world-class university that is poised for even greater progress," said Floyd. "I am honored the search advisory committee and the regents have chosen me. I look forward to taking on this leadership role." Floyd, 50, of Henderson, NC, holds a bachelor's degree in political science and speech, a master's in adult education, and a doctorate in higher and adult education, all from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

He began his career at his alma mater holding deanships in the Division of Student Affairs, the General College and the College of Arts and Sciences. Floyd also served as president of Western Michigan University and executive vice president at Eastern Washington University.

Floyd has served as president of the University of Missouri since 2002.