Thank you Jean Thrasher!

As we prepared to enter the Tucker Center for the summer 2021 graduation, I saw Jean Thrasher, the wife of 56 years of FSU President John Thrasher.  President Thrasher will retire on August 14, 2021, but FSU will lose the active service of two members of the Thrasher family.  I will spend a little time talking about the tremendous influence Jean Thrasher has had on this university. 

I remember entering the Tucker Center for graduation in 2016 and seeing Jean Thrasher sitting there.   Little did I, at that time, realize the impact she would have on the future of FSU.

Jean Thrasher has attended every graduation since the two of them agreed to take on the presidency in the fall of 2014.  I have seen her at football and basketball games and other sporting events.  She has attended hundreds of academic events and has been a strong partner with our president.

I have seen her cheer when our students do well in academics, athletics, and life.  And I have seen her shed a tear when they have struggled.  Florida State is big on student success.  Jean Thrasher helped lead the way

A grandmother, with at least one granddaughter in school at FSU, Jean  has had a natural connection with our students.  Many of them call her “Gi Gi.”.  She never fails to stop to talk to a student, regardless of how busy she is.

Outside of her focus on students, I am most appreciative of the fact that she is always willing to talk and at the most appropriate time, provide excellent advice.  Sometimes, my wife, Jerri, and I did not even realize she was providing that advice at the time.  But later, it became very clear.  Others in leadership positions at FSU have had the same experience.

She has not only provided support and advice across campus, but has been a a great advocate for our university.   Because of her strong connection to the students and the entire FSU family, she has been a formidable advocate in business and governmental circles, including the Florida Legislature.

During the most recent Friday afternoon graduation ceremony, President Thrasher’s voice cracked as he introduced Jean.

I chuckled as he said thank you to Jean for saying yes when he told her seven years ago that he wanted to apply to be president of FSU at 70 years of age.

Seven years later, the two of them have made a huge difference for our university and our state.  Florida State is now a Top Twenty public university and has the highest four-year graduation rate among Florida’s universities.  Across the country, everyone in academic knows FSU is on the rise.

It is a tradition to have a statute of former FSU presidents placed on campus and John Thrasher is so deserving.

In my heart there will also be a statute of Jean Thrasher commemorating her wonderful service to the university, its students, and the State of Florida.