Remembering John Thrasher, President Emeritus

Visit the John Thrasher Tribute website.

John Thrasher, who led his beloved alma mater to new heights as Florida State University’s 15th president after a distinguished career in law and public service, will be remembered for his steady leadership, servant’s heart, and abiding faith.

Thrasher, 81, died Friday, May 30.

A decorated U.S. Army veteran, a giant in Florida politics, and lifelong FSU Seminole, Thrasher served as FSU’s president from 2014 to 2021. His presidency marked a period of historic momentum for the university, including a rise to No. 18 among public universities in the U.S. News & World Report rankings, a successful $1.16 billion fundraising campaign, and major strides in academic excellence, student success, and research.

“John’s love for Florida State University was truly inspiring,” said FSU President Richard McCullough. “As an alumnus, legislator, trustee, and president, he devoted his life to elevating FSU’s national reputation and helping the university reach new heights in student success, academic excellence, and research. Jai and I feel incredibly fortunate and blessed to have known him and will always cherish the time we spent together at university events, out on the golf course, or sharing a meal. John had a remarkable ability to bring people together with his warmth, humor, and unmistakable charm.”

Born in Columbia, South Carolina, on Dec. 18, 1943, Thrasher was raised in Jacksonville. He arrived at FSU in 1961 as a 17-year-old freshman who was the first in his family to finish high school and go on to college. He met Jean during a summer break, and they married in 1964 during his senior year of college. He said he got his best grades ever that year.

After earning his business degree in 1965, he served in the U.S. Army, receiving the Army Commendation Medal and two Bronze Stars for his service in Vietnam. He returned to Florida State to earn a law degree in 1972.

His career spanned law, government, and education. He served two decades as general counsel to the Florida Medical Association and co-founded The Southern Group, a prominent governmental relations firm. Thrasher’s political life began on the Clay County School Board and continued in the Florida House of Representatives, where he was unanimously elected Speaker in 1998.

While in the Legislature, he played a key role in passing the legislation that established the FSU College of Medicine — which, at the time, was the nation’s first new school of medicine in 20 years. A building at the college is named in his honor.

He later served in the Florida Senate and chaired the Republican Party of Florida. In higher education, he was named the first chair of FSU’s Board of Trustees in 2001 and served on the board until 2006.

Thrasher became FSU president in 2014 at age 70, describing the role as his “dream job.” Under his leadership, the university made substantial investments in student success initiatives, experienced an increase in graduate enrollment, and achieved historic milestones in faculty hiring, research funding, and national recognition.

Ed Burr, former FSU Board of Trustees, said Thrasher’s contributions would be felt for generations.

“President Thrasher was a great man and a great leader,” Burr said. “He loved Florida State University and made a tremendous positive impact on the entire FSU family.”

As the son of parents who had only an eighth-grade education, Thrasher understood the transformative power of education, and as president, he championed student success initiatives across the university. Those efforts produced unprecedented graduation and retention rates for FSU, placing it among the Top 15 public universities in the nation.

Thrasher was particularly passionate about supporting first-generation students and worked to eliminate disparities in graduation and retention rates among undergraduates, including Pell Grant recipients and those who were the first in their families to attend college. He provided funding to add more than 100 new spots in the Center for Academic Retention and Enhancement program, which has received national attention for its role in FSU’s success in graduating underrepresented students.

Prospective students and their families took notice of FSU’s rising reputation coupled with its affordable cost — and applications for admission of first-year students doubled during Thrasher’s tenure.

Under Thrasher, the university successfully completed Raise the Torch: The Campaign for Florida State — its most ambitious fundraising campaign in its history. The campaign was highlighted by a $100 million gift from Jan Moran and The Jim Moran Foundation — the largest gift in university history — to create what is now the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship. Funds raised and committed during the campaign also created or enhanced more than 1,300 student scholarships and supported nearly 100 professorships.

The university continued to physically transform during Thrasher’s presidency, and he often said he never wanted to see the sun set without a crane in the campus skyline. During his tenure, FSU started the process of securing crucial legislative funding for Legacy Hall, the future home of the College of Business; broke ground on the new Student Union and the Interdisciplinary Research and Commercialization Building (IRCB); secured legislative funding for and celebrated the opening of the Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Science Building; and commemorated the opening of four new residence halls, the Black Student Union and the newly renovated Seminole Legacy Golf Course — the first Jack Nicklaus Legacy Course in North America.

“John Thrasher exemplified servant leadership — unwavering integrity, compassion, and a profound commitment to the university he loved so dearly,” said Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration Kyle Clark, who served on Thrasher’s cabinet throughout his presidency. “He valued personal relationships above all. He was more than just a president; he was a mentor and a friend to so many. We will miss his warm smile, his hearty laugh, and the kindness he extended to all.”

Thrasher’s faith was a quiet but constant force in his life. He often reflected on his humble beginnings and credited his success to three things: God, Jean, and Florida State. He was deeply inspired by the values of humility, justice, and compassion — ideals that shaped his belief in serving others.

As FSU president, the part of the job he loved most was spending time with students. He and Jean cherished the relationships they built with students over the years and took pride in seeing them achieve their dreams of earning a Florida State degree. He especially enjoyed meeting with students to discuss issues that were important to them, serving ice cream at the annual President’s Ice Cream Social, taking selfies on Westcott Plaza, and shaking hands with graduates at commencement.

FSU Provost Jim Clark, who served as dean of the College of Social Work during Thrasher’s tenure, described him as a leader who brought heart to every decision and never lost sight of the students at the center of it all.

“John led with empathy, warmth, and good humor,” the provost said. “He made everyone in the FSU community feel seen and valued, and the university community leaned on his steady presence in times of both celebration and crisis. We all learned so much just by watching his example of authentic, thoughtful, and compassionate leadership.”

Thrasher genuinely cared about people. He had a gift for putting people at ease and making everyone feel important no matter what their role. He had a great sense of humor and was always quick with a joke. Even those who disagreed with him were won over by his willingness to listen and consider other points of view.

Over the years, Thrasher received numerous awards in recognition of his leadership and service. Among the many honors he received were his inductions into the Florida Veterans Hall of Fame in 2017 and the FSU College of Business Hall of Fame in 2016. He was the recipient of the Tallahassee Urban League Legend Award, and he was named the Tallahassee Democrat’s Person of the Year in 2015.

At Thrasher’s retirement celebration in 2021, former FSU Board of Trustees Chair Allan Bense, who led the board during the presidential search that ended in Thrasher’s hiring, offered this tribute:

“You will live long in memory among the greatest of the people who have led this university,” Bense said. “Your legacy will be one of enormous influence. It will be remembered as one of fairness, respect for professors, respect for staff, respect for students, and a reverence for the traditions of this great university above all. But mostly, you will be known for your humility.”

In a message to the FSU community upon his retirement, Thrasher expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve and pride in the culture of excellence the university had cultivated. He was proud of the strong foundation his leadership team had built together with students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

After retiring, Thrasher returned to The Southern Group. He also remained an active member of the FSU community, serving on the faculty of the College of Law and the College of Criminology and Criminal Justice and frequently guest lecturing in classes across campus.

Florida State University celebrated Thrasher’s legacy in 2022 with an unveiling of his portrait, which is now displayed in the Westcott Building, where the Office of the President is located. In 2023, the university placed a bronze statue of Thrasher on Westcott Plaza, depicting him at his best — smiling and shaking hands with new graduates.

During the statue unveiling, Thrasher spoke about the impact FSU had on his own life.

“This is a life-changing place,” he said. “It changed my life, and I know it’s changed the lives of so many students who have been here and will continue to come here.”

Thrasher is survived by his wife of 60 years, Jean, also known to many students as Gigi; their children, Jennifer Jordan (Don), Jon (Millie) Thrasher, and Julie (Mark) Weinberg; and eight grandchildren — Ashley Williamson (Matt), Will Jordan; Mason, Merritt, and Maddox Weinberg; Walker, Rebecca, and Jacob Thrasher.

A private burial has been planned in Orange Park, Florida, and a celebration of life will be held August 19 at Florida State University’s Ruby Diamond Concert Hall.