Dr. Michael Thrasher has been named Dean of the College of Communication and Fine Arts at Troy University effective July 1.

Thrasher will fill the position left vacant by the retirement of Dr. Larry Blocher, who has been the college’s dean since 2014 and has 17 years of service to the University.

Thrasher comes to TROY from Florida State University where he served as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs & Director of Graduate Studies and Interim Dean of the College of Music. His past experience includes administrative and faculty positions at the University of Texas at Tyler, North Dakota State University, North Central Texas College, and in public school music education.

“Troy University is pleased to welcome Dr. Michael Thrasher as Dean of our College of Communication and Fine Arts,” said Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., Chancellor. “Dr. Thrasher has a proven track record as an administrator and faculty member, and we are confident that he will provide tremendous leadership for our faculty, staff and students within the College of Communication and Fine Arts.”

Thrasher holds the Bachelor of Music Education degree from Northwestern State University, and both the Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees from the University of North Texas.

As a researcher, Thrasher has presented papers and lectures at conferences of the College Music Society, National Association of College Wind and Percussion Instructors, Texas Music Educators Association, and National Association for Music Education. He has been featured as a presenter or performer at numerous conventions of the International Clarinet Association, including at festivals in Ohio, Georgia, Sweden, Spain and Belgium. His work has been published in various journals, including the Journal of Performing Arts Leadership in Higher Education, Planning for Higher Education, The Department Chair, The Clarinet, Saxophone Symposium, Medical Problems of Performing Artists, and the NACWPI Journal.

As a performing clarinetist, Thrasher has performed in symphony and opera orchestras in various states, including the Tallahassee Symphony (Florida), Shreveport Symphony (Louisiana), Fargo-Moorhead Opera and Symphony (North Dakota), Texarkana Symphony (Texas), and the Longview Symphony (Texas). He has also appeared as a recitalist and chamber musician in locales from Florida to California.

Thrasher has served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra and the East Texas Symphony Orchestra, and also serves as a Minister of Music at Immanuel Baptist Church in Tallahassee. He is currently a visiting evaluator for the National Association of Schools of Music.

“I am very honored to be joining the Troy University community,” Thrasher said. “The College of Communication and Fine Arts is blessed to have fantastic faculty and staff members, and I look forward to partnering with them in the future to enrich the lives of TROY students and stakeholders.”