Doug Blackburn

Democrat correspondent

Update: 4:31 p.m.

John Thrasher is tough to rattle.

A powerful state senator, Thrasher is eager to be Florida State University's next president even though he's the only non-academic among the four finalists. He endured two testy forums Monday afternoon with FSU faculty and students, and appeared no worse for wear.

Pressed on a range of issues, from his opinions on climate change and evolution to past votes in the Legislature, Thrasher reiterated his love for his alma mater and what he would focus on during his first 100 days on the job: the $1 billion capital campaign and improving salaries for professors.

"We love Florida State; we care about it," Thrasher told an audience of about 200 in the Turnbull Center conference room. "I know that's not a reason to be the president of the university, but I think it's important to care. I think we've gotten to a point where we have a number of people who would make a good president at Florida State."

Thrasher has been a lightning rod for criticism almost since FSU President Eric Barron accepted the same position at Penn State University on Feb. 17. Some faculty support him, but many others have objected to his presence when the job description clearly states that the university wants its next leader to have a background in academia – which Thrasher does not.

FSU's Faculty Senate last week approved a resolution calling for the Board of Trustees to select an academician, and a similar-sounding petition started Sunday morning by the faculty union had collected close to 1,000 signatures by Monday evening.

One member of the audience, identified only as Amanda, asked Thrasher why he was the only candidate to have inspired protests. She said her question was addressing the "elephant in the room."

"I hope it hasn't impacted people on campus in a negative way. I hope students are still studying. I hope professors are still teaching, I hope researchers are still doing their research," Thrasher said. "I'm a human being. There are certain things that have been said that I would like to not have been said. It goes with the territory."

Monday's forums, which concluded with a reception, were the first of four this week. Michele Wheatly, a former provost at West Virginia University, will follow a similar schedule Tuesday. Colorado State University Chancellor Michael Martin is on campus Wednesday, with University of Alabama-Birmingham vice president Richard Marchase here Friday.

The search committee meets next Monday to decide if any of the four do not deserve to be forwarded to the Board of Trustees, which will meet Sept. 23 to pick FSU's next president.

Former FSU President Sandy D'Alemberte, the first to nominate Thrasher despite their political differences, was on hand Monday to support the legislator who chaired the trustees during D'Alemberte's final two years as president.

College of Communication professor Andy Opel pressed Thrasher on climate change, asking him if believed it is real. "Do you accept the science behind it," Opel said.

Like Gov. Rick Scott, whose reelection campaign Thrasher co-chairs, Thrasher declined to give a specific response. At that point, two students in the front row appeared to Thrasher to be laughing at his answer.

He threatened to leave, saying he "would not be heckled."

"I just wanted to get their attention," Thrasher said after the faculty forum. "It wasn't that bad a deal. I respect them and they ought to give me the same respect."

The next person to pose a question, law professor Mark Seidenfeld, asked Thrasher if he believed in evolution.

"I have a great faith in my life that has guided me in my life in a lot of things I believe in," Thrasher said.

Some of the encounters elicited laughter from both Thrasher and many in the audience. Oceanographer Jeff Chanton began by telling Thrasher that the adjective "powerful" appears before his name so often in stories that he sometimes wonders if it's Thrasher's first name.

"I almost feel like people are afraid to not make you president," Chanton said. "What would happen to us if we don't select you president?"

Thrasher assured Chanton that FSU will be just fine no matter who the trustees choose next week.

"Nothing bad's going to happen to Florida Satte," Thrasher said. "I think more good can happen to Florida State if I become president."

Update: 2:19 p.m.

Influential state Sen. John Thrasher, one of four finalists to be Florida State's next president, was met with testy crowds during a forum with faculty today.

A group of graduate assistants heckled Thrasher from the front row of a meeting with faculty at the Turnbull Center.

"Thrasher interview with FSU faculty turning combative. VERY COMBATIVE," tweeted Tampa Bay Times reporter Tia Mitchell. "He just threatened to walk out."

Thrasher was asked about his positions on climate change and evolution. Regarding evolution, Thrasher told faculty he has a "great faith" that guides him, according to Mitchell.

Thrasher is the first of the finalists to go before staff, faculty and students in separate forums today, followed by a reception. All events take place at the Turnbull Center.

Thrasher told the crowd his priorities during his first 100 days as president would be the university's capital campaign, faculty salaries, graduate assistant issues and a listening tour.

Original Story:

Well-connected state Sen. John Thrasher, one of four finalists to be Florida State University's next president, will have a day-long series of forums today with the campus community.

Thrasher is the first of the finalists to go before staff, faculty and students in separate forums, followed by a reception. All events take place at the Turnbull Center.

FSU is moving quickly toward hiring a president. The FSU Board of Trustees has scheduled a Sept. 23 meeting to decide on which of the four finalists will be FSU's next CEO.

Thrasher, a Republican from St. Augustine who chairs Florida Gov. Rick Scott's reelection campaign, is the only non-academic among the finalists. Faculty and students on the search committee have been united in their opposition to advancing him this far.

Michele Wheatly, a former provost at West Virgnia University, Michael Martin, chancellor of the Colorado State University System, and Richard Marchase, a vice president for research at the University of Alabama-Birmingham will be on campus Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, respectively.