WMU News

President Floyd withdraws as candidate for Florida presidency

April 14, 2000

KALAMAZOO -- After more than a week of speculation about his future as Western Michigan University's president, Dr. Elson S. Floyd has asked Dr. Adam Herbert, chancellor of the Florida State University System, to remove his name from the list of finalists being considered for the top job at the University of Florida. Floyd was to have visited the Gainesville campus April 16-18 to meet with university officials and other members of the campus community.

"It appears that my being under consideration for the presidency at the University of Florida is causing substantial angst and concern both within and outside the Western Michigan University community," Floyd said of his decision. "That clearly was not my intention. Thus, I have informed Florida system Chancellor Adam Herbert that I no longer should be considered as a candidate for the Florida presidency."

In response to Floyd's announcement, WMU Board of Trustees Chairperson George Franklin said, "We are delighted that President Floyd plans to stay at our fine University. We look forward to continuing the great strides already made."

Floyd became WMU's sixth president in August 1998, coming to the University from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, where he had served as vice chancellor since 1995. On April 4, the University of Florida announced that Floyd was one of six finalists for the presidency of that school.

Media contact: Matt Kurz, 616 387-8400, matt.kurz@wmich.edu


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