At Purdue, Woodson served as both the director of the plant biology program and as the head of the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture from 1995 to 1998.

The result – The Pathway to the Future: NC State's 2011-2020 Strategic Plan – is the framework that guides university administrators in long- and short-term decision-making.

Support was also designated for the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and for the construction of a clubhouse at NC State's golf course on Centennial Campus.

[6] Woodson told reporters the reason for his departure was because it felt like "just a good time" to step down, and that he had considered retirement as an option for some years leading up to the announcement.

[7] Woodson also stated his interest in still being involved in higher education after retirement in the form of potentially teaching guest lectures and nonprofit work, but as a volunteer.

[8] Woodson's research focuses on the biochemical and molecular bases of plant aging and the role that ethylene plays in these processes.