Online Edition | Washington State University | Pullman, Washington | Friday, November 2, 2001

Administrative News
Bates named provost

Robert C. Bates, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and professor of microbiology at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, was named as Washington State University’s new provost early this week. Bates will begin the position in January.

"Bob is the right person for the position; the fit is excellent," WSU President V. Lane Rawlins. "We are thrilled that he has decided to accept the post."

Rawlins said the entire university community was behind Bates’ selection.

"It was clear, from the first time Bob visited, that he was the choice. His background, experience and character seem to fit very well with our team. We all will benefit from his commitment to join the university."

Bates leads Virginia Tech’s largest college, comprised of five divisions including the fine and performing arts, humanities, social sciences, natural and physical sciences, and mathematical sciences, as well as three ROTC units. The college has 625 faculty, 170 support staff, 1,000 graduate students and more than 7,000 undergraduate majors.

With his leadership, the college has a tradition of strong collaboration in the tripartite mission of teaching, research and outreach. He has been instrumental in fostering cross-disciplinary instruction and research teams in the college and across the university that also extend to outreach, including service learning and international program development.

Bates has strongly supported diversity issues. He was instrumental in developing a revised faculty-hiring plan that more successfully addresses his college’s diversity issues.

As WSU’s chief academic leader, Bates will be responsible for all academic issues, ensuring the excellence of WSU programs. His early plans will include meetings throughout the state with students, faculty, staff and administrators to become familiar with all aspects of WSU’s land-grant mission.

"I have been away from WSU and the Northwest for some 33 years, but I still vividly remember the positive experiences during my years in Pullman," said Bates, who earned his master’s degree in bacteriology and public health at WSU in 1969.

Bates received his bachelor’s degree from Lewis and Clark College in Portland, and doctorate in microbiology from Colorado State University.