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WSU Vancouver chancellor Mel Metzamer highlights research partnerships, student supports ahead of retirement
Summary
Chancellor Mel Metzamer, in his final board presentation Jan. 24, credited the Vancouver campus' growth in research, fundraising and student services — including new Life Sciences Building activity, a $33.3 million U.S. Forest Service partnership and expanded basic‑needs services.
In his final Board of Regents presentation as chancellor of Washington State University's Vancouver campus, Mel Metzamer outlined accomplishments he said would leave the campus positioned for growth and community impact.
Metzamer described the Life Sciences Building as a new "centerpiece for campus" that supports teaching and research and drew attention to a recently awarded $33.3 million, five‑year U.S. Forest Service partnership that will place forest‑service scientists and laboratory work on the Vancouver campus and fund research and student opportunities.
"We have been given $33,300,000 over five years to move U.S. Forest Service scientists onto our campus," Metzamer told regents, saying the arrangement will renovate lab space, underwrite faculty partnerships and provide summer research for graduate and undergraduate students.
Metzamer also described a record fundraising year: $12 million raised in the most recent fiscal year and roughly $35 million raised to date toward the campus' $65 million comprehensive campaign goal. He said investments in student basic needs have expanded: the campus opened a larger food pantry on Jan. 6, installed a basic‑needs navigator for case management, and hired a nurse practitioner to increase health appointment capacity by about 50%.
On student success, Metzamer cited the Thrive transition program for first‑year students and said graduate‑student engagement has grown markedly. He emphasized Vancouver's regional role, noting that about 90% of WSU Vancouver students come from Southwest Washington and that roughly 95% of graduates remain in the region.
Metzamer thanked campus and community partners and trustees for support during his 13‑year tenure and urged continued focus on housing, fundraising and program alignment across campuses as the new chancellor arrives.
