WSU president takes leave to battle cancer



PULLMAN, Wash. (AP) — Washington State University President Elson S. Floyd has cancer and will take an immediate medical leave from his job.

“These have been incredibly challenging times for me, and it is with great regret I ask to take a leave of absence to address this personal battle with cancer,” said Floyd. “While I do so, I ask you to appoint Dr. Dan Bernardo to assume day-to-day duties of the presidency.”

The Washington State University Board of Regents approved the leave on Friday.

The board voted to have provost and executive vice president Bernardo assume the day-to-day duties of president.

Board chairman Ryan Durkan says Floyd has the full support of the regents.

Floyd says he cannot wait to return to work once his health allows.

The 59-year-old Floyd has been president of WSU since 2007. Most recently he has been pushing to create a new medical school at WSU's Spokane campus.