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New presidents for two major Florida universities confirmed

 
W. Kent Fuchs, 59, a former engineering professor and former Cornell provost, will lead the University of Florida.
W. Kent Fuchs, 59, a former engineering professor and former Cornell provost, will lead the University of Florida.
Published Nov. 7, 2014

TALLAHASSEE — Florida's two best-known universities are each getting new presidents that vary significantly in their background and experience.

The state board that oversees Florida's state university system on Thursday officially confirmed the selections for the University of Florida and Florida State University. The Board of Governors approved the hires while meeting on the campus of Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton.

The University of Florida, which is striving to become one of the nation's leading public universities, will now be led by Cornell University Provost W. Kent Fuchs. Florida State, which wants to join the same elite group of research schools that its rival is already a part of, is going with powerful Republican state Sen. John Thrasher as its president.

Thrasher, 70, is an attorney, a former lobbyist and a legislator who once served as House speaker and also had a brief stint as chairman of the state GOP. Fuchs, 59, has been a professor of electrical and computer engineering and has held leadership position at major universities the last 20 years.

Thrasher's lack of an academic background, as well as his political work, has drawn fire from some students and faculty. During his interviews, the Florida State alumnus sidestepped questions on climate change and evolution.

Thrasher is replacing Eric Barron, who stepped down earlier this year to become the next president of Penn State University. Thrasher will be paid a base salary of $430,000 with a potential annual bonus of $100,000.

By contrast the contract with Fuchs (pronounced fox) would pay him an annual base salary of $860,000. Fuchs is replacing retiring president Bernie Machen.