Kelly Ward vice provost for faculty development and recognition at Washington State University died on July 8 at Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane from injuries suffered in an accident on July 3. She was 54 years old.
Dan Bernardo, provost at Washington State University, issued a statement that read in part: “Kelly brought leadership, perseverance, and enthusiasm to everything she did, and we in the provost’s office were fortunate to have her as a colleague. Kelly had an uplifting, generous spirit that defined her as a person and as an academic leader. She made everyone around her better and was relentless in pursuing positive change.”
Dr. Ward joined the faculty in the department of educational leadership and counseling psychology at the university in 2003 as an assistant professor. She was promoted to associate professor in 2004 and to full professor in 2009. Earlier in her career, she taught at Oklahoma State University.
Professor Ward was a graduate of the University of Montana, where she majored in political science. She held a master of public administration degree and a Ph.D. in higher education from Pennsylvania State University.