Acting WSU dean to take over permanently

Pullman, Wash.

-- Bryan Slinker, interim dean of the Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine since November, accepted the college's offer to take over the position on a permanent basis.

Slinker, a former executive associate dean and chair of the Veterinary and Comparative Anatomy, Pharmacoloy and Physiology department, took over for Warwick Bayly, who resigned as dean Oct. 31 to accept the position of WSU provost after newly hired provost Steve Hoch's confrontation with another administrator turned a temporary leave of absence into a permanent one.

Bayly had served as dean since 2001, and Slinker took over as his replacement immediately upon his resignation. A committee was formed to search for a new, permanent replacement for Bayly soon after, but Bayly says Slinker was the best candidate.

"Dr. Slinker was ranked as an outstanding choice by virtually all the college faculty," Bayly says. "He is highly organized, has great vision and is perfectly positioned to continue implementation of the college's very progressive and productive strategic plans."