[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 199 (Tuesday, December 18, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S7785]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             REMEMBERING DR. THOMAS KENT ``T.K.'' WETHERELL

 Mr. NELSON. Mr. President, Dr. Thomas Kent ``T.K.'' Wetherell 
was a distinguished public servant, educator, and a great man who 
leaves behind a tremendous legacy of service to the State of Florida. 
Dr. Wetherell is recognized as one of the best speakers in the history 
of the Florida House of Representatives, as well as a transformative 
and effective president of Florida State University, FSU, and 
Tallahassee Community College. He loved the State of Florida and worked 
his entire career to improve higher education in the State.
  As a student at FSU from 1963 to 1968, T.K. was a star football 
player. In fact, he still holds the record for the longest kickoff 
return in the school's history. Off the field he succeeded in 
academics, earning bachelor's and master's degrees in social studies 
education in 1967 and 1968 and a doctorate in education in 1974. A 
third-generation Floridian, T.K. became the first alumnus to serve as 
the president of his alma mater. His tenure as president of FSU from 
2003 to 2010 marked a transformative time for the university. Among his 
many accomplishments, Dr. Wetherell launched the Pathways of Excellence 
initiative, which elevated the research profile of FSU and brought 
hundreds of millions in investments to campus. He brought the Applied 
Superconductivity Center to FSU, where it became the materials research 
division of the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory. FSU's brand 
new College of Medicine graduated its first class under Dr. Wetherell's 
tenure and opened six new regional campuses. He established the Office 
of National Fellowships and the Office of Undergraduate Research and 
Creative Endeavors, both of which improved the national academic 
profile of FSU. Even this University of Florida Gator can appreciate 
that he made FSU a stronger university.
  His time in the Florida House of Representatives was no less 
impressive. He chaired the Appropriations and Education Committees, 
where he transformed the lessons he learned working at State 
universities into commonsense legislation that improved the State's 
university system for all students. It's no wonder the Miami Herald 
named him one of the Top Ten Legislative Leaders in the body for five 
straight years.
  Beyond T.K.'s many professional accomplishments, I counted him as one 
of my best friends. He was a man of integrity who didn't shy away from 
challenges and was passionate about improving higher education in our 
fine State. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Ginger, and 
their children and grandchildren.

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