John E. Thrasher (born December 18, 1943) is a former state legislator, businessman, lawyer and lobbyist who served 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. On September 11, 2020, Thrasher and the university Board of Trustees announced his retirement in a joint statement. In May 2021, Richard McCullough was chosen by Florida State University’s Board of Trustees to succeed Thrasher.