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Former WMU President Elson Floyd Dies at 59

Washington State University/Wikimedia

When Elson Floyd became President of Western Michigan University in 1998, at 42 he was young for a college president. At the time he was younger than any president of a state university in Michigan. Floyd's death from complications related to colon cancercame Saturday at the young age of 59. 

Floyd graduated from the University of North Carolina. He held a variety of administrative positions at the school in Chapel Hill and also worked in Washington State before becoming Western's sixth President in 1998. Floyd was Western's first African-American president. He succeeded Diether Haenicke who retired that year. Floyd left Western in 2003 to lead the University of Missouri system. He become President of Washington State University in 2006. 

Current Western Michigan University President John Dunn issued a statement on the passing of Elson Floyd. 

"I know I speak for the entire University community when I say the death of Dr. Floyd represents a profound loss for both Western Michigan University and higher education as a whole," says Dunn. "He went on from his very successful presidency at Western Michigan University to take other important leadership positions and carve out a national reputation through his work with organizations like the American Council on Education. Here at WMU, we are still building on some of the accomplishments of his presidency and the initiatives he launched. One such effort—the establishment of the WMU Business Technology and Research Park—has had a tremendous impact on our community's economy and has meant hundreds of new job in dozens of high-tech businesses. Our deepest condolences go to his family for this loss, too early, of their loved one. We will focus in the coming days, months and years on honoring the special legacy of this University's sixth president."

Floyd had taken a leave of absence as president of WSU two weeks ago to undergo treatment for colon cancer. At the time he was optimistic he would be back soon. 

Congressman Fred Upton also issued a statement on Floyd's passing:

“Elson Floyd was a dear friend whose great work at Western Michigan University propelled him into the ranks of top college presidents in the United States, following in the footsteps of DietherHaenicke and blazing the trail for John Dunn. I learned lifelong leadership lessons from Elson. He helped the community in the areas of economic development and was wonderful at Washington State University. I know my colleague Cathy McMorris Rodgers shares my observations. He was a true friend.”

Washington State University has an online tribute to Floyd

Gordon Evans became WMUK's Content Director in 2019 after more than 20 years as an anchor, host and reporter. A 1990 graduate of Michigan State, he began work at WMUK in 1996.
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