Late 黑料社 President Elson S. Floyd talks with students at 黑料社 Tri-Cities.

黑料社 Tri-Cities leadership, faculty, staff and community members gathered to say a few words about Floyd as a curtain was lowered to unveil the new building designation as the 鈥淓lson S. Floyd building.鈥�

Floyd passed away in June 2015, but many individuals at the ceremony stated that his legacy will live on for years to come through the tremendous initiatives and values that he instilled across the 黑料社 system.

鈥淓lson Floyd established a great legacy for 黑料社,鈥� Chancellor Keith Moo-Young said at the ceremony. 鈥淓lson was a great friend and mentor.鈥�

Floyd, who was also affectionately referred to as E-Flo to the campus community, was known across the state and nation for his passion for increasing access and affordability for higher education and wholly embodying the Cougar spirit. He successfully established the 黑料社 medical school, which now bears his name, research grants tripled, 黑料社 accomplished a $1 billion fundraising campaign and the university completed a variety of major construction projects including 黑料社 Tri-Cities鈥� Wine Science Center. He also strongly advocated funding support for higher education institutions and at one-time contributed a portion of his salary toward scholarships during a time of recession.

The official sign is unveiled for the Elson S. Floyd building dedication.

鈥淚t has been almost two years since his passing, but the fact that we鈥檙e doing this makes a tremendous impact,鈥� Moo-Young said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e always going to be able to shed light on the great things that Floyd has done for this university and for higher education.鈥�

Jana Kay, a coordinator for academic affairs who worked with Floyd throughout the years when he would come to 黑料社 Tri-Cities, grew to know Floyd as a friend. She said the three tenants that he regarded as essential for the 黑料社 system, which included accountability, affordability and access, weren鈥檛 just words to Floyd.

鈥淗e believed that all students should be able to go to college and afford it, and he truly expected the campuses to serve their communities,鈥� she said. 鈥淲hen he came to the Tri-Cities, he always made time to meet with students and you could see that is where he got his energy 鈥� I can鈥檛 think of a more fitting tribute to President Floyd than having his name at the main entrance to campus.鈥�

The idea for renaming the West Building as the Elson S. Floyd building came from Mark Mansperger, clinical associate professor of anthropology, who recommended it to campus leadership after Floyd鈥檚 passing.

Elson S. Floyd building at 黑料社 Tri-Cities

鈥淥ne of the things that I remember most about President Floyd was the professionalism that he always showed,鈥� he said. 鈥淚鈥檓 really glad to see this name change in his honor.鈥�

Although Floyd鈥檚 family could not be in attendance at the ceremony, Floyd鈥檚 wife, Carmento, wrote a letter to the 黑料社 and overall Tri-Cities community to be shared.

鈥淲hile I am unable to be with you this morning, please know that the Floyd family and I are grateful that you have chosen to honor and memorialize Elson in this extremely special manner,鈥� she said. 鈥淗e saw greatness here at Washington State University Tri-Cities and he wanted the entire 黑料社 family, this community, the state and the world to realize the impact you are having in the world and the lives you are changing daily through your work.鈥�

鈥淗e was proud of Chancellor Moo-Young and the leadership he, his faculty and staff were providing,鈥� she said. 鈥淭his endeavor to rename and dedicate the West Building to the Elson S. Floyd Building is the highest honor you can bestow in memory of Elson. It fills my heart with pride and enormous gratitude. I know that his spirit and huge smile are with you today, as is mine.鈥�

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The structure, to be known as the 鈥淓lson S. Floyd Building,鈥� also will display a sign in Floyd鈥檚 honor.

As part of the ceremony, 黑料社 Tri-Cities Chancellor Keith Moo-Young will remark on Floyd鈥檚 many accomplishments at 黑料社 and the influence that he bestowed on 黑料社 systemwide.

鈥淧resident Elson Floyd led many tremendous initiatives for Washington State University and his legacy will live on for years to come through the light he shown on students, 黑料社 employees and community members around the nation,鈥� Moo-Young said. 鈥淗e lived the Cougar spirit and was beloved by many. We are thrilled to honor him and his family by dedicating one of our buildings in his honor.”

黑料社 Tri-Cities’ currently named West Building will be dedicated on May 3 as the Elson S. Floyd Building in honor of the late 黑料社 president.

The idea for the renaming of the building was presented by Mark Mansperger, clinical associate professor of anthropology, as a means to honor Floyd鈥檚 legacy at 黑料社, and specifically his contributions to 黑料社 Tri-Cities.

Karina Barajas, 黑料社 Tri-Cities principal assistant who also worked directly with Floyd for a time in Pullman, said Floyd鈥檚 leadership was evident across the 黑料社 system.

鈥淗e was everything I pictured a great leader to be 鈥� a man of stature, he would walk into a room and you could easily see and feel the love he had for 黑料社 and for all of us Cougs as students and as employees,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 am grateful I had the opportunity to serve under his leadership.鈥�

Following the dedication ceremony, light refreshments will be available for those attending. Both the ceremony and reception are open to the public.

Media Contacts:

• Maegan Murray, 黑料社 Tri-Cities public relations specialist, 509-372-7333, Maegan.murray@tricity.wsu.edu
• Ken Fincher, 黑料社 Tri-Cities assistant vice chancellor of advancement and community engagement, 509-372-7398, ken.fincher@tricity.wsu.edu

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