John E. Thrasher
| John Thrasher | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| 15th President of Florida State University | |
|
Assumed office November 10, 2014 |
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| Preceded by | Garnett S. Stokes |
| Member of the Florida Senate from the 6th district |
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In office 2009 – November 7, 2014 |
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| Preceded by | Jim King |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
December 18, 1943 Columbia, South Carolina |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Jean Thrasher |
| Alma mater | Florida State University |
| Profession | University President Politician Attorney Lobbyist |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Awards | Army Commendation Medal Vietnam Service Medal Vietnam Campaign Medal Bronze Star |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |
 United States
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Army
|
| Years of service | 1966–1970 (Active) |
| Rank |
 Captain |
John E. Thrasher (born December 18, 1943) is a former state legislator, businessman, lawyer and lobbyist who serves as the 15th President of Florida State University. He was approved by the Florida Board of Governors on November 6, 2014 and took office on November 10, 2014.
John Thrasher grew up in Jacksonville, FL and earned his bachelor's degree in business from Florida State University in 1965. As an undergraduate, he was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. After college, he 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. Thrasher attained the rank of captain before his honorable discharge in 1970. He returned to Tallahassee and earned a law degree with honors from the Florida State University College of Law in 1972.
Thrasher began his political career in 1986 with his election to the Clay County School Board. He served as vice chairman, then chairman of the board before running for the Florida House of Representatives. He was elected in 1992 and was re-elected without opposition in 1994, 1996 and 1998. In 2009, he was elected to the Florida Senate in a special election to represent the 8th District, which included parts of Duval, Flagler, Nassau, St. Johns and Volusia Counties. After redistricting in 2012, he represented the 6th District which included all of St. Johns, Flagler , Putnam Counties, as well as parts of Volusia County.
On November 17, 1998, Thrasher was unanimously elected as Speaker of the House for the 1999 through 2000 term, which passed legislation including “Three Strikes, You're Out”, “10-20-Life”, “A+ Education Plan”, and the largest tax cut in Florida history. Thrasher was cited on two separate occasions for violating Florida state ethics laws during and following his terms as a state representative. He was fined for both violations.
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