Barron, 62, has enjoyed widespread respect and admiration at FSU, in the greater Tallahassee community and even in Floridas Capitol. Under his leadership, FSU has been ranked the most efficient university in the country the past two years and it has steadily moved up in the national rankings.
People would be surprised at how much pain is associated with leaving Florida State, Barron said. It is awfully hard.
Barron has set FSU on a path to be listed among the top 25 public universities in the nation. He also has initiated FSUs first $1 billion capital campaign, which is just beyond the midpoint. But he said he doesnt believe he has unfinished business at FSU, where he earned a bachelors degree in 1973.
If youre doing a good job, theres no such thing as a good time, theres no finish line, he said. Theres always the next thing you want to accomplish. Any president whos thinking about a finish line is thinking about their retirement and not doing their job.