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FSU's 15th President
John Thrasher and a Legacy of Leadership
By Tatia Ghviniashvili (B.A. ’20)
John Thrasher (B.S. ’65, J.D. ’72) has had a long and fulfilling career — practicing law, serving in the Florida Legislature, and since 2014, serving as president of Florida State University. As FSU prepares to wish him a warm farewell following his retirement announcement, it's only fitting to glance at the road that led Thrasher to where he is now.
In the summer of 1961, a 17-year-old, first-generation college student from Jacksonville stepped onto Florida State’s campus in the Tallahassee heat with a few suitcases and not much else. As fate would have it, that same student would one day become the 15th president of FSU, proudly leading the Seminoles to a new era of success through growth and adversity. Students, alumni, faculty and staff know him today as President John Thrasher (B.S. ’65, J.D. ’72).
Thrasher first came to FSU on a whim after becoming the first in his family to graduate high school. Embraced by the culture of FSU and filled with pride, a young John Thrasher fell in love with the university.
John Thrasher in the president's office located in Westcott Building.
Four years of school flew by for Thrasher, as he dove into the world of academics, work and brotherhood at Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. He met the love of his life, Jean, his sophomore year at FSU and married her his senior year. They now have three kids and eight grandchildren.
After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in business, Thrasher joined the United States Army, where he served in Germany and Vietnam. He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal in Germany, as well as two Bronze Stars for his service in Vietnam. In 1970, he was honorably discharged and four days after leaving Vietnam, he returned to his alma mater to continue his education and study his passions: politics and public service.
Following his graduation from the FSU College of Law, Thrasher worked in private law practice in Daytona Beach and Tallahassee for several years until returning to Jacksonville to serve as general counsel of the Florida Medical Association, a position he held for 20 years. In 1986, Thrasher was elected to serve as a vice chairman, and then chairman, on the Clay County School Board. In 1992, Thrasher was elected to the Florida House of Representatives, where he served consecutive terms. In 1998, he was unanimously elected as the Speaker of the House.
John Thrasher served in the Florida House of Representatives from 1992-2000 and was the Speaker of the House from 1999-2000.
Photo courtesy of Florida Memory
Using his education to give back to his alma mater, Thrasher was the first chair of the Florida State University’s Board of Trustees from 2001 to 2005. He was elected to the Florida Senate in 2009, where he proudly represented the people of Florida until his appointment as Florida State’s 15th president in November 2014.
Although the FSU Board of Trustees appointed Thrasher to the presidency with a strong 11-2 vote, he faced opposition from skeptics. “I had a kind of a rocky start,” recalled Thrasher. “I wasn’t the most popular choice among some areas, particularly the faculty, and it was because of my background in politics.”
Despite opposition, Thrasher was determined to gain the trust and support of the FSU faculty, promising to push all politics aside and lead FSU through an unbiased and fair lens.
Since the start of his presidency, Thrasher has worked tirelessly to do just as he promised. He worked closely with FSU faculty and staff to boost the reputation of the university and bring the best and the brightest students to campus each year. This year, FSU’s record first-year student-retention rate placed among the top 15 nationally for public universities. Thrasher also aimed to create a safe and exciting place for students to live, study and conduct research.
A two-time FSU graduate, Thrasher understands how a degree from FSU can help open doors for its alumni. “I can’t overemphasize the influence that these degrees have, and that’s why I’m so passionate about FSU and ensuring that our students get their degree when they come to FSU, regardless of who they are, and regardless of their background.”
John and Jean Thrasher view the solar eclipse with students on Union Green Aug. 21, 2017.
During the six years of Thrasher’s presidency, FSU attained a multitude of achievements and milestones. The university created a strategic plan, raised $1 billion for advancing the impact of the university, expanded the research enterprise, and enrolled and graduated the brightest students in the university’s history. Florida State’s greatest achievement during Thrasher’s presidency is likely its leap in the U.S. News and World Report’s annual rankings. FSU has risen from No. 43 in 2016 to now being ranked one of the nation’s Top 20 public universities.
“I could not be prouder of the fact that we are a Top 20 public university and that our reputation has grown over the last couple of years academically,” said Thrasher, reflecting his pride and commitment to the university. “The Top 20 is really good, but it’s a number; what it does is reflect the goodness of Florida State.”
With over 50,000 applications submitted for the upcoming year, FSU remains a popular choice for prospective students, another point of pride for Thrasher. “Florida State is a great place and not because of John Thrasher but because of the quality of the students and faculty that we have been able to attract and the great programs we have here.”
As well as being a top university to study, Thrasher is thankful for extraordinarily talented and highly respected faculty. “We are attracting great faculty and research dollars, and our faculty are doing incredible things.”
Thrasher has led FSU with an understanding of what makes FSU unique: its people. Using everyday opportunities such as walks through campus or athletic events, Thrasher has inspired and created personal connections with the faculty, staff, alumni, and students, in particular.
John and Jean Thrasher pass out ice cream to students at the 2015 President's Ice Cream Social on Landis Green.
The same students who see Thrasher alongside his wife and partner, Jean, on Landis Green handing out ice cream for the President’s Ice Cream Social are the same students who once again greet Thrasher at graduation and seal their personal and academic accomplishments with a handshake from him. “Graduation to me is the culmination of everything that we do here,” said Thrasher. “Even though I know it’s only the students who walk across the aisle, to me it’s when their families are out there and they’re cheering and they’re so proud and so happy. Those are the things that I will miss.”
John Thrasher congratulates a graduate as she crosses the stage at commencement.
In September, Thrasher announced his plans to retire. “I have to say, it’s been pretty good for the last six years, and it’s probably one of the best things I’ve ever done in my life,” said Thrasher. “I’ll tell everyone this, and I’ve told everyone this: this is the best job I’ve ever had, and it’ll be the last job I’ll ever have, so it’s a good way to finish.”
As the university search committee looks for a new president who can fill Thrasher’s shoes, he is more than confident in the university’s future leadership. “I’m an optimistic person. I’m sure they will find an excellent president because I know the people conducting the search. That’s what they want, and that’s what I want. When the time comes, I’m ready to hand over the reins to the next president and look forward to supporting him or her as best I can.”
In the past six years, Thrasher has led FSU with a steady hand through the highs and the lows, continuing to offer his support and encouragement to his fellow Seminoles every step of the way.
Jean and John Thrasher.
