I figured this would be of great interest to all HROTers during this Thanksgiving season...
https://www.sun-sentinel.com/opinio...607U2hKXuh_sqJD5Tz7ZIWmgsAH_19InWetKCpj6r_s8o
As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, it is also time to thank John Thrasher for his five years as President of Florida State University. He, along with his administrative team, have been able to accomplish so much for FSU.
As a member of the Board of Trustees when he was hired, we, as a board, got plenty of criticism for hiring a politician and not an academic, even though, during his time in both the Florida House of Representatives and the Florida Senate, President Thrasher championed higher education, including the establishment of the Florida State University Medical School. Upon taking the helm as President, his first order of business was to earn the respect of the faculty by working closely with them and listening to their academic advice.
The Board of Trustees had adopted what many considered a “Quixotic” goal of making FSU among the nation’s Top 25 public universities. It was then ranked 46th. Today, it’s ranked 18th, according to the latest report on public universities from U.S. News & World Report.
The process for advancing is very difficult. We, as a board, set out to reach our goal by focusing on the following metrics: greatly improving the GPA and test scores of our incoming students, improving the faculty to student ratios and size of classes, which can be very costly, and enhancing the reputation among peers, improving the retention of your students by not letting them flunk out, increasing the graduation rate and increasing the alumni giving.
With funding support from the Florida Legislature, leadership from former Gov. Rick Scott and current Gov. Ron DeSantis, and the encouragement of the State University System of Florida Board of Governors, FSU accomplished its goal this year.
Most importantly, with the help of our faculty, our students have the best graduation rate among public universities in Florida and ninth overall in the U.S.
FSU is among the top two most efficient universities in the nation and a Kiplinger’s Best Buy in higher education.
Under President Thrasher’s leadership, along with hard work and generosity of many others, The FSU Capital Campaign exceeded its $1 billion goal, including the record-setting $100 million donation from the family of South Florida entrepreneur Jim Moran, to establish the Jim Moran School of Entrepreneurship.
FSU is also widely recognized by its diversity, friendly and beautiful campus. Athletics finished #7 in the Director’s Cup Standings, led by the National Championship in Women’s Soccer, a Baseball College World Series appearance with Coach Mike Martin retiring with more wins than any coach in any sport in NCAA history, and the Sweet Sixteen in men’s basketball.
Economic vitality is crucial for Florida’s future, with the educational system being the most critical component. For the last few years, U.S. News & World Report has ranked the State University System of Florida as the very best.
Again, during this Thanksgiving season the citizens, taxpayers and leaders of Florida merit a big thank you, along with the FSU students, faculty, staff, volunteers, donors, and administrators led by President Thrasher.
https://www.sun-sentinel.com/opinio...607U2hKXuh_sqJD5Tz7ZIWmgsAH_19InWetKCpj6r_s8o
As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, it is also time to thank John Thrasher for his five years as President of Florida State University. He, along with his administrative team, have been able to accomplish so much for FSU.
As a member of the Board of Trustees when he was hired, we, as a board, got plenty of criticism for hiring a politician and not an academic, even though, during his time in both the Florida House of Representatives and the Florida Senate, President Thrasher championed higher education, including the establishment of the Florida State University Medical School. Upon taking the helm as President, his first order of business was to earn the respect of the faculty by working closely with them and listening to their academic advice.
The Board of Trustees had adopted what many considered a “Quixotic” goal of making FSU among the nation’s Top 25 public universities. It was then ranked 46th. Today, it’s ranked 18th, according to the latest report on public universities from U.S. News & World Report.
The process for advancing is very difficult. We, as a board, set out to reach our goal by focusing on the following metrics: greatly improving the GPA and test scores of our incoming students, improving the faculty to student ratios and size of classes, which can be very costly, and enhancing the reputation among peers, improving the retention of your students by not letting them flunk out, increasing the graduation rate and increasing the alumni giving.
With funding support from the Florida Legislature, leadership from former Gov. Rick Scott and current Gov. Ron DeSantis, and the encouragement of the State University System of Florida Board of Governors, FSU accomplished its goal this year.
Most importantly, with the help of our faculty, our students have the best graduation rate among public universities in Florida and ninth overall in the U.S.
FSU is among the top two most efficient universities in the nation and a Kiplinger’s Best Buy in higher education.
Under President Thrasher’s leadership, along with hard work and generosity of many others, The FSU Capital Campaign exceeded its $1 billion goal, including the record-setting $100 million donation from the family of South Florida entrepreneur Jim Moran, to establish the Jim Moran School of Entrepreneurship.
FSU is also widely recognized by its diversity, friendly and beautiful campus. Athletics finished #7 in the Director’s Cup Standings, led by the National Championship in Women’s Soccer, a Baseball College World Series appearance with Coach Mike Martin retiring with more wins than any coach in any sport in NCAA history, and the Sweet Sixteen in men’s basketball.
Economic vitality is crucial for Florida’s future, with the educational system being the most critical component. For the last few years, U.S. News & World Report has ranked the State University System of Florida as the very best.
Again, during this Thanksgiving season the citizens, taxpayers and leaders of Florida merit a big thank you, along with the FSU students, faculty, staff, volunteers, donors, and administrators led by President Thrasher.
