FL State U Dean Dr Karen Laughlin Dies Following Saturday Commencement Ceremony

TALLAHASSEE, FL. (THECOUNT) — Dr. Karen Laughlin, dean of undergraduate studies at Florida State University, died suddenly, according to school officials.

Laughlin, 70, passed away after assisting in presenting 5,600 bachelor’s degrees to spring graduates during FSU’s virtual commencement ceremony on Saturday.

FSU President John Thrasher released the following statement on Laughlin’s passing:

“I was so sorry to hear of Dr. Laughlin’s passing,” he said. “Karen was committed to ensuring that the university continued to give a high priority to undergraduate education and to helping provide FSU’s undergraduate students with the richest possible educational experience. She will be missed terribly.”

Laughlin was in charge of the Division of Undergraduate Studies for the past 17 years. She was tenured as an associate professor of English.

A cause of death was not provided.

DEVELOPING::

GEo quick facts: Tallahassee is the state capital of Florida. The Capitol Complex includes the restored Historic Capitol, now a museum with displays on political history. The 1970s Capitol tower offers city views from its 22nd-floor observation deck. Nearby, exhibits at the Museum of Florida History cover European colonization, the Civil War and WWII. The city’s antebellum mansions include the 1843 Knott House Museum – wikipedia.