Washington State University Provost Warwick Bayly announced Thursday that he is stepping down May 31 after five years of leading the school's academic divisions through several deep budget cuts.

An expert in equine exercise science, Bayly said recent developments and opportunities have re-energized his interest in pursuing full-time research. He focuses on evaluating performance in racehorses and is a fellow to the American Association for the Advancement of Sciences and a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.

Bayly did not immediately return a call Thursday seeking comment. But in a news release, he said he has enjoyed working with the various WSU leadership teams during his tenure.

"WSU is fortunate to have such talented and dedicated leaders," he said. "However, I have found myself increasingly engaged with thoughts regarding equine exercise and have taken it as a sign that, after five years, it is a good time to return to that arena."

WSU President Elson Floyd thanked Bayly for his service.

"Working with faculty and deans, Warwick helped to guide our institution through some of the roughest budgetary waters we have ever faced," he said in a news release. "I have appreciated his energy, insight and dedication to preserving the quality of our academic programs through it all, and now I respect his decision to return to his research."

The former dean of the WSU College of Veterinary Medicine, Bayly stepped into the position after Provost Steve Hoch lost his job in 2008. Hoch had been provost for just seven weeks, and Floyd relieved him of his duties following a contentious meeting that devolved into a hallway shoving match with another administrator.

Bayly's tenure was marked by repeated deep cuts to the WSU's state budget, and he oversaw an extensive reorganization of the university's colleges and academic units. Many programs were scaled back, while some were eliminated entirely.

Prior to announcing his plans to step down as WSU provost, Bayly was named one of the finalists for the position of president at the University of Wyoming. He didn't receive the appointment.

Floyd said he will immediately begin taking nominations for an interim provost.

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Mills may be contacted at jmills@lmtribune.com or (208) 883-0564.