LANE RAWLINS NAMED NEXT WSU PRESIDENT
V. Lane Rawlins, the president of the University of Memphis, has been named the ninth president of Washington State University. The announcement was made Thursday (Feb. 17) by Peter Goldmark, the president of the WSU Board of Regents. Rawlins will assume the WSU presidency in July, when WSU President Sam Smith retires. Rawlins will tour the state Friday, his stops include WSU Spokane, WSU Tri-Cities and WSU Vancouver.
-------------------------------------------
WASHINGTON STATE SENATE HONORS PRESIDENT SMITH WITH SENATE RESOLUTION
The complete text of the Senate resolution honoring President Smith is available at the Legislative Information web page, www.olympia.wsu.edu
With President Sam Smith looking on from the South gallery Wednesday, one state senator after another rose on the floor to deliver more than a half hour of speeches honoring Smith`s 15 years leading Washington State University. The speeches, often recalling personal stories of Smith, were followed by two standing ovations and a unanimous bipartisan passage of Senate Resolution 8726, honoring Smith`s WSU career.
"I`m delighted to offer this resolution today honoring one of the truly great leaders of Washington State," said Senate Republican Caucus Chair Pat Hale, R-Richland. "Sam is indeed a legend in his own time," said Hale, who was one of the prime sponsors of the resolution. "As President of WSU, he`s done more than anyone in the history of the state to position the school as the outstanding university it is today," said Hale. "During his 15 years at the helm, he`s transformed the university from a single-campus institution to a nationally-recognized university, so much so that he`s been asked to speak to the National Conference of Governors and tell them how he did it."
Senate Higher Education Chair Jeanne Kohl-Welles, a Democrat who represents and teaches at the University of Washington Seattle campus, praised Smith. "President Smith has been one to really teach the message that we don`t have to be Huskies or Cougars, we can be both and cheer for not only our respective football teams, but also for the success of two tremendous universities in our state."
"Sam Smith-a common name for an uncommon man," remarked Senate Republican Whip Alex Deccio, R-Yakima. "It has been my privilege to serve in the Legislature during your tenure at WSU. I want the [Senate] to know what Sam did for Yakima County. Sam helped bring a four-year nursing program and a six-year advanced nurse practitioner program to the Yakima Valley. This resulted in hundreds of students, mostly women, being able to pursue their professional goals without leaving home. Sam, on all the students` behalf, thank you very much."
Sen. Larry Sheahan, a Rosalia Republican who represents Pullman`s ninth legislative district, noted that Sam substantially boosted fundraising at WSU. "You`ve heard of his fundraising prowess, and he`s done a tremendous job of raising money and talking with people and dignitaries in the President`s Box during football games. But he always wanted me to come to the field with him and watch the game from down there."
"I think it says a lot about Sam Smith-he`s comfortable talking with millionaires and governors, but he`s always been a `down on the field` kind of guy. President Smith, thank you for being an example of honor and integrity for your students, the people of state, the faculty and staff at WSU. Thank you for being a `down on the field` kind of guy," Sheahan said.
Sen. Marilyn Rasmussen, the Democrat who chairs the Senate Agriculture and Rural Development Committee, said "Sam is the epitome of what it`s all about. He`s bridged all these gaps for us and made Washington state truly a `one Washington.` Without Sam, it wouldn`t be as much fun, and we wouldn`t be able to provide the next generations the wonderful teachers that we have available. Thank you, Sam."
Senate Vice President Pro Tempore Al Bauer, D-Vancouver, has himself announced his retirement from the Senate, ending a career in which he worked with Smith to build the WSU Vancouver campus. "When we talked about a branch campus in southwest Washington . . . we knew Sam had his eyeball on converting a 350-acre old dairy farm to a great university," said Bauer. "It`s now a great university and a tribute to President Smith for helping us in southwest Washington bring higher education in a very meaningful way to our community. It`s an honor today for all of us to pay tribute to a very great President and more importantly, a great person. Thank you, Sam."
Sen. Bob Morton, R-Kettle Falls, said, "I echo all that has been said for Brother Sam and add a little bit more. He never lost focus on the fact that WSU was a land grant college, with the emphasis on agriculture, along with the other academic and educational courses offered by that great university." Morton said WSU "leads the world in research on behalf of agriculture. A lot of that is the credit of Sam Smith."
Senate Majority Floor Leader Betti Sheldon, D-Bremerton, said "you leave a rich legacy at Washington State University."
Following the Senate pageantry, Smith was invited into the House Republican Caucus to hear additional accolades from more legislators including House Appropriations Co-Chair Tom Huff and Republican Whip Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville. But Sam continued his day by buttonholing legislators on the WSU 2000-2001 supplemental budget.
This update is shared by broadcast fax and electronic mail to friends of Washington State University as state government developments occur regarding the 2000 Legislative Session. Contact Karen Fischer, WSU State-wide Affairs, 509/335-6665 to receive a copy. Call Larry Ganders at 360/956-2165; From WSU Campuses, Dial 8-2165. e-mail: Ganders@energy.wsu.edu. Call Jane Yung in Olympia at 360/956-2164. For bill status and other info, visit our all-new web page at www.olympia.wsu.edu.
