Sigh of relief at WSU

Washington State University is fortunate its president of less than a year fended off an overture by his beloved alma mater.

Elson Floyd reassured WSU regents late last year that he would not be a candidate for the new chancellor of University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. That's where he got his bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees and where he served as an administrator in the late 1990s.Floyd came to WSU in May after four years as president of the University of Missouri's four-campus system. The invitation came to light after Seattle Times' reporter Nick Perry's story Thursday.

In his short time at WSU, Floyd has focused on several key strategies that leverage the university's academic and research strengths, such as in global animal health and emerging expertise in biofuels.

In his recent state of the university speech, Elson embraced WSU's heritage as a land-grant university and wants the university's influence felt in all parts of the state through its branch campuses, extension programs and economic-development efforts.

Increasing diversity at the Pullman-based institution remains a high priority.

Floyd's counterpart at the state's other research institution, University of Washington President Mark Emmert, has also been targeted for poaching by other prestigious universities.

For now, both men are staying — to the benefit of their universities and the entire state.