Elson S. Floyd was announced as president of WSU Dec. 13, to succeed V. Lane Rawlins.

Floyd will begin his position as the 10th president of WSU July 1.

Honored by the appointment, Floyd plans to take time to get to know students, faculty, alumni and other stakeholders in Pullman.

"I want to get to know all of the constituents and collaborate with students, faculty, alumni and others constituents in looking at our strategic priorities and long-term goals," Floyd said.

UW President Mark Emmert said he would miss outgoing president Rawlins, who was a great colleague and friend. Rawlins has been recognized as bringing a new level of academic seriousness to WSU and starting partnerships with the UW.

Emmert also said he was looking forward to having Floyd as a colleague.

"President Floyd will have the opportunity to build on the good work of President Rawlins," Emmert said. "It is especially important that we continue the partnerships we have begun between UW and WSU, particularly in building support for the state's two research universities."

Senior Hannah Lommers-Johnson, assistant director of the ASUW Office of Government Relations, said she was excited for the new leadership.

"With his background, he brings a unique perspective to the student experience," she said. "It's good he knows about the legislative process and of the processes in Olympia."

"I certainly expect to expand our collaborations in Spokane around our medical and dental programs, as well as our joint efforts [on] policy work on the major issues in the state," Emmert said in regards to changes in the UW-WSU relationship.

Floyd said he looks forward to having a conversation with Emmert on continuing the current partnership.

The University of Missouri, where Floyd is currently president, has 63,000 students over four campuses, while WSU has about 23,000 students over three campuses.

"This will allow me to have more time to interact with students and get to know them better," Floyd said.

He said he hopes to continue graduate excellence and build on the quality of the University. His experience and familiarity with the state — he has held positions on the Higher Education Coordinating Board and served as the Eastern Washington University vice president — should help, Floyd said. He described himself as "tremendously excited" to get to work with students.

Facts

• Floyd will receive an annual salary of $600,000

• His contract also includes retention bonuses of $50,000 in the second and third years, $100,000 in the fourth year and $150,000 in the fifth year*

• 23 public university presidents have a salary of more than $500,000**

* http://presidential-search.wsu.edu/search-updates/10th-president.html

* http://www-tech.mit.edu/

Reach reporter Chris Paredes at chrisparedes@thedaily.washington.edu