T. K. Wetherell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
T. K. Wetherell
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| 13th President of the Florida State University | |
| In office January 6, 2003 – January 31, 2010 |
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| Preceded by | Sandy D'Alemberte |
| Succeeded by | Eric J. Barron |
| 86th Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives | |
| In office November 20, 1990 – November 17, 1992 |
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| Preceded by | Tom Gustafson |
| Succeeded by | Bolley Johnson |
| Member of the Florida House of Representatives from the 29th district |
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| In office November 2, 1982 – November 3, 1992 |
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| Preceded by | Tom C. Brown |
| Succeeded by | Charlie Roberts |
| Member of the Florida House of Representatives from the 31st district |
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| In office November 4, 1980 – November 2, 1982 |
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| Preceded by | J. Hyatt Brown |
| Succeeded by | Winston Gardner Jr. |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Thomas Kent Wetherell
December 22, 1945 Daytona Beach, Florida, U.S. |
| Died | December 16, 2018 (aged 72) Tallahassee, Florida, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouses | Peggy Wetherell Virginia Bass |
| Children | 3, including Kent |
| Education | Florida State University (BA, MEd, EdD) |
Thomas Kent Wetherell (December 22, 1945 – December 16, 2018) was an American politician and educator. He served as a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 1980 to 1992. He was also the president of Florida State University from 2003 to 2009.
Early Life and Education
T. K. Wetherell was born in Daytona Beach, Florida. His family had a long history in the area. His great-grandparents came to the United States from England in 1876. His grandfather, Thomas Wetherell, helped build the famous Ponce de Leon Lighthouse.
Wetherell went to Port Orange Elementary School and Mainland High School. He earned a football scholarship to Florida State University (FSU). He played football there from 1963 to 1967. While at FSU, he joined the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He earned two degrees in social studies and education. In 1974, he received his doctorate degree in education from FSU.
Political Career
Wetherell was a member of the Democratic Party. He served in the Florida House of Representatives for 12 years, from 1980 to 1992. During his time there, he became the Speaker of the House in 1991 and 1992. This is a very important leadership role. He also led the house's committees on Appropriations (money matters) and Education.
Educational Leadership
Wetherell had a long career in education. He was the president of Tallahassee Community College (TCC) from 1995 to 2001. Before that, he led the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida. While he was president of TCC, more students joined the school. The campus also grew bigger.
He also worked at Daytona Beach Community College and Florida Technological University. After leaving TCC, Wetherell worked as a lobbyist. A lobbyist tries to influence lawmakers on behalf of a group or organization.
In 2002, the FSU Board of Trustees chose Wetherell to be the university's president. His salary was one of the highest for public university presidents in the U.S. He also supported efforts to bring a playoff system to Division I-A college football.
Personal Life
T. K. Wetherell had three children, including a son named Kent. He was married to Virginia Bass Wetherell, who was also a state government official.
Wetherell owned a large property called Oak Hill Plantation in Jefferson County, Florida. He enjoyed hunting birds like turkey, dove, and quail there.
Wetherell had been battling prostate cancer since 2002. He passed away from complications of cancer on December 16, 2018. He was almost 73 years old.
