Back to the Washington State Cougars Newsfeed

WSU president Elson Floyd passes away from cancer

When WSU president Elson Floyd announced just two weeks ago that he'd be taking a leave of absence to fight cancer, we all held out hope he'd be able to able to win that battle and resume his rightful place running the university he served so well.

This morning, Floyd lost that battle, as cancer claimed his life, according to a report from KOMO-TV in Seattle. He was 59.

Floyd will be remembered as one of the most beloved and productive presidents in school history. His most notable accomplishment was also his most recent, working to enact a change in state law that would allow WSU to establish a medical school in Spokane.