Students object as Florida St. Univ. picks Rick Scott’s campaign chair as president

[Lunabell]

Source: Raw story

TALLAHASSEE Fla. (Reuters) – Florida State University on Tuesday selected a powerful state politician to serve as its next president over the loud objections of angry faculty members and students.

John Thrasher, a Republican political veteran and state senator who lacks academic credentials but is chairman of Governor Rick Scott’s reelection campaign, was selected by the university’s Board of Trustees.

The 11-2 vote was greeted by a brief, furious outburst from about 50 student protesters, many waving signs with messages like “choose an academic” and “this is OUR university.”

Thrasher, 70, is a former state House speaker who once led the Florida Republican Party. He touted his connections and political savvy as the key to raising funds to elevate FSU into a top-tier research university.

Read more: http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/09/students-object-as-florida-st-univ-picks-rick-scotts-campaign-chair-as-president/