President honors professor’s lifelong commitment to WSU
By Scott Weybright, College of Agricultural, Human & Natural Resource Sciences
PULLMAN, Wash. – Ken Casavant’s original goal was simply to get a Ph.D. at Washington State University. Forty-eight years later, the professor and researcher in the School of Economic Sciences has never left.
In appreciation for his longtime work and dedication, Casavant was honored with the President’s Award for Distinguished Lifetime Service at WSU’s annual Showcase celebration banquet on March 27.
“Being a graduate of WSU, a faculty member and a member of the Pullman/WSU community for so long, I was always pleased to contribute where I could – something that so many of our WSU community do so well,” Casavant said.
“Ken’s research program has generated over $9 million in funded research and he has co-authored over 100 articles, three books and six book chapters,” said Alan Love, director of the school. “And beyond that, his list of service activities is expansive and wide ranging.”
Casavant, an expert in transportation economics and director of the Freight Policy Transportation Institute at WSU, has served as the WSU NCAA faculty athletics representative, chair of the WSU Athletic Council and liaison to the Pac-12 Conference and the NCAA. He has served on the Pullman City Council, as president of the Pullman Chamber of Commerce and as chair of the WSU Faculty Senate.
He has won local, state and national awards for his teaching – an impact that is effective to this day.
“Wherever I travel, Ken’s former students and colleagues always let me know of the important role he played in their educations and careers and ask me to convey to him their warm greetings,” said Love. “Part of Ken’s success must be due to his smile and positive attitude, which fill every room in which he is present.”
WSU president Elson S. Floyd sponsors the award, which is the one Showcase accolade that is not announced before the Celebrating Excellence Recognition Banquet at which it is bestowed. The President’s Award for Distinguished Lifetime Service honors individuals who have given a substantial part of their career to advancing WSU through excellent service and have demonstrated great personal commitment to the university and community.
