Former Florida State President John Thrasher Passes Away at 81

ORLANDO, Fla. – John Thrasher, a prominent figure in Florida politics and higher education, has died at the age of 81, according to his family. Thrasher’s passing was announced on May 30, surrounded by loved ones.

Thrasher was a longtime Republican who played a significant role in the state government’s transformation during the late 1990s and early 2000s. He served as speaker of the Florida House from 1992 to 2000 and later as a state senator. After leaving the House, he was a partner at the lobbying firm The Southern Group until 2009, before entering the Senate.

A major part of his career was as president of Florida State University from 2014 to 2021. Thrasher was nominated for the position by Sandy D’Alemberte, a Democrat and former university president. His tenure included managing the aftermath of a tragic shooting at the university’s Strozier Library in November 2014, where three people were injured before police fatally shot the gunman.

After his presidency, Thrasher returned to The Southern Group and was succeeded by Richard McCullough. He also contributed to Florida State’s College of Law as a professor.

Thrasher, who earned his bachelor’s degree from Florida State in 1965 and his law degree in 1972, served in the U.S. Army, where he received two Bronze Stars for his service in Vietnam. Known for his dedication to student success, he often emphasized the importance of education, stating, ‘Education comes to me as an extraordinarily important thing.’

In recognition of his accomplishments, the Democrat named Thrasher Person of the Year for 2015, highlighting his ability to navigate challenges with success and integrity. He was also noted for advocating improved support for victims of sexual violence during controversies involving high-profile athletes.

The family announced that a private burial will take place in Orange Park, with a celebration of life scheduled for August 19 at Florida State University’s Ruby Diamond Concert Hall in Tallahassee. They expressed gratitude to the medical staff at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital, Moffitt Cancer Center, Orlando Health, and Cornerstone Hospice for their care in recent weeks.”