The Florida House of Representatives recognized Florida State University President John Thrasher during its session Wednesday in honor of his outstanding achievements and service during his tenure as the university’s 15th president.
Rep. Demi Busatta Cabrera, an FSU alumna, read the resolution on the House floor to Thrasher, who was located in the gallery due to COVID-19 protocols.
“It is my pleasure today to have the opportunity to recognize someone we know and respect, Florida State University President John Thrasher,” Busatta Cabrera said. “He has spent his life in service to his country, the state of Florida and his alma mater, Florida State University.”
Speaker Chris Sprowls welcomed Thrasher back to the Florida House of Representatives where he served as a member from 1992 to 2000, and as Speaker from 1998-2000.
“President Thrasher, we’re so grateful for your service to this House, to the United States military, to the Florida Senate and for your time at Florida State,” he said. “We’re honored, and always know that as far as we’re concerned, the Florida House is your home.”
Read the full text of the resolution:
House Resolution
A resolution expressing appreciation and gratitude to Florida State University President John Thrasher upon the completion of his exceptional tenure as the university’s 15th president and commending him for his outstanding achievements and service.
WHEREAS, John Thrasher entered Florida State University in 1961 as an undergraduate student and earned his bachelor’s degree in business in 1965, and
WHEREAS, in 1966, John Thrasher joined the United States Army, serving first in Germany, where he received the Army Commendation Medal, and later in Vietnam, where he was awarded two Bronze Stars, and attained the rank of captain before his honorable discharge in 1970, and
WHEREAS, John Thrasher earned a law degree with honors from his alma mater in 1972, and
WHEREAS, from 1992 to 2000, John Thrasher served the people in Florida as a member of the Florida House of Representatives and during that time was instrumental in the creation of the Florida State University College of Medicine, and
WHEREAS, on November 17, 1998, John Thrasher was unanimously elected as Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives for the 1998-2000 term, during which the legislature passed the “A+ Education Plan” and the largest tax cut in Florida history, and
WHEREAS, from 2009 to 2014, John Thrasher was a member of the Florida Senate, where he served as Chair of the Rules Committee and Vice Chair of the Budget Subcommittee on Higher Education Appropriations, and
WHEREAS, John Thrasher became the 15th President of Florida State University in November 2014, and
WHEREAS, under John Thrasher’s leadership, Florida State University ranked among the Top 20 national public universities in the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges guides in 2020 and 2021, and
WHEREAS, the university’s 4-year graduation rate under John Thrasher’s tenure is first in the State of Florida and among the best in the country, virtually erasing the graduation rate gaps between the general population and underserved students, and
WHEREAS, the university’s retention rate of first-year students is well above the national average for 4-year public institutions, and 95 percent of the university’s freshmen who enrolled in the 2019 summer and fall semesters returned for their sophomore year, and
WHEREAS, graduate school enrollment, a hallmark of any great research university, is also at an all-time high, with enrollment in graduate programs increased by 23 percent in the 2020 fall semester, a rate far surpassing the university’s goal of 3 percent annual growth, and
WHEREAS, John Thrasher has received numerous honors and awards in recognition of his leadership and service, including inductions into the Florida Veterans Hall of Fame in 2017 and the Florida State University College of Business Hall of Fame in 2016, the NASPA Region III President’s Award, the Tallahassee Urban League Legend Award, and the recognition as the Tallahassee Democrat’s Person of the Year in 2015, and
WHEREAS, John Thrasher has also presided over a successful $1 billion fundraising campaign for the university, and
WHEREAS, as Florida State University President, John Thrasher helped advance the school’s academic and research mission, championed diversity and inclusion, and welcomed the best and brightest students in the school’s history, and
WHEREAS, John Thrasher has spent the past 55 years in service to the United States, the State of Florida, and Florida State University, NOW, THEREFORE,
Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of Florida:
That the Florida House of Representatives expresses its appreciation and gratitude to Florida State University President John Thrasher upon the completion of his exceptional tenure as the university’s 15th president and commends him for his outstanding achievements and service.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be presented to President John Thrasher as a tangible token of the sentiments expressed herein.