JOHN THRASHER
PRESIDENT, FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY, TALLAHASSEE
Thrasher, who was president of FSU for almost seven years, says, “I started my young adult life at FSU earning two degrees. I then left Tallahassee for jobs in the legal, lobbying and political fields. But for decades I returned to the capital city to support my career and the things I was passionate about as a Florida resident and family man.”
Florida State University has been recognized as a pre-eminent university by the state and is ranked the 18th best public university in America by U.S. News & World Report. The university employs 6,200 faculty and staff members. It has a four-year graduation rate that is among the top 10 in the nation, and its 93% freshman retention rate is in the top 20 in the country.
The Elvis fan says no matter how packed his schedule, “I try hard to get up every morning and walk three miles on my treadmill.”