JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Florida State University will hold a ceremony on Tuesday to honor one of its most influential leaders, John Thrasher, who died in May.
Thrasher, a longtime Republican, was 81 years old when he died in late May after losing his battle with cancer. He was FSU’s 15th president.
Tuesday’s event will celebrate Thrasher’s legacy and career, which spanned decades.
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Thrasher’s story began in Jacksonville.
From shaping laws in the state Capitol to elevating Florida State’s national reputation.
News4JAX spoke with Political Analyst Rick Mullaney about Thrasher’s impact across the state.
“He was accessible. He brought people together. And during his tenure, he led FSU forward, like I said, to become a top 20 public university, a billion-dollar fundraising campaign effort. And so he has a lasting legacy at Florida State, but the legacy is much broader. It’s statewide from his service as Speaker of the House, he was chair of the Republican party, truly one of the great leaders ever to come out of North Florida,” Mullaney said.
Thrasher grew up in Jacksonville and was laid to rest during a private service in Orange Park.
A veteran, former Speaker of the Florida House, and lifelong public servant, Thrasher became FSU’s 15th president in 2014.
Under his leadership, the university jumped 24 spots in U.S. News & World Report rankings — landing in the top 20.
He led a $1-billion fundraising campaign, expanded research programs, and prioritized student success, especially for veterans.
He also pushed for greater diversity and inclusion across campus.
FSU’s Celebration of Life ceremony begins at 1 p.m. at Ruby Diamond Concert Hall on campus.
The event will be open to the public.