Ben Sasse Resigning as President of the University of Florida Due to Wife’s Illness
“I’m going to remain involved in serving our UF students — past, present, and future — but I need to walk arm-in-arm with my dearest friend more hours of every week.”
This is a bummer. Sasse was doing a great job and there are so few Republicans in higher education. Best to him and his wife.
BREAKING: @BenSasse is resigning as president of the University of Florida due to his wife’s recent epilepsy diagnosis and the need to be home more often.
Best wishes to him and his wife, Melissa.
He was doing an amazing job as president. pic.twitter.com/D2JtixfvQg
— Steve McGuire (@sfmcguire79) July 19, 2024
Sasse wrote on Twitter/X:
Dear Gator Nation and cherished friends,
This isn’t an easy note to write but wanted to give you an update on our family. As many of you know, my wife Melissa suffered an aneurysm and series of strokes in 2007. Back then, the docs prepared us for the worst, but – in God’s providence – she made an incredible comeback. In the years since – from Nebraska to DC to Florida – she kept our family grounded while I missed too many family dinners, little league games, hugs, and tears. She’s the strongest person I know. We’ve battled some nasty seizures the last couple years, but she’s always remained a warrior.
In recent months, Melissa has been diagnosed with epilepsy and has been struggling with a new batch of memory issues. It’s been hard, but we’ve faced it together. A lot of late nights, a lot of hard decisions, and a lotta “what matters most?” conversations. Our two wonderful daughters are in college, but our youngest is just turning 13. I’ve got two spectacular callings in life right now: First, I’m a husband and dad. Second, I’ve been blessed to serve as president of the best dang public university in America – Go Gators! – and I’ve loved the challenge of giving this university everything I’ve got. But here’s the bottom line: Those callings are significantly at odds with each other right now. Gator Nation needs a president who can keep charging hard, Melissa deserves a husband who can pull his weight, and my kids need a dad who can be home many more nights.
After extensive prayer and lots of family tears, I today asked UF Chair Mori Hosseini and our Board of Trustees to initiate a search for a new president of the university. I need to step back for a time and focus more on the needs of my family while we rebuild more stable household systems.
I’m going to remain involved in serving our UF students — past, present, and future — but I need to walk arm-in-arm with my dearest friend more hours of every week.
I’m grateful for our board’s support. Mori and the board have giant hearts – for this university and for this community. It’s easy to see why.
Dear Gator Nation and cherished friends,
This isn’t an easy note to write but wanted to give you an update on our family. As many of you know, my wife Melissa suffered an aneurysm and series of strokes in 2007. Back then, the docs prepared us for the worst, but – in God’s…
— Ben Sasse (@BenSasse) July 19, 2024
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Comments
I’m saddened to hear of this. I wish them both the very best.
His replacement is obvious:
Christopher Rufo.
This is a serious blow both to the Sasse family and to UF. May God bless them.
My grandson graduated from UF in Mechanical Engineering a year ago and is doing well. The previous president, Kent Fuchs (pronounced “fox”) wisely left his position as Provost at Cornell, made it his goal to make UF a top 10 engineering school, and succeeded. Perhaps he will be willing to serve as interim president.
Finally:
“As of June 2024, 19% of the University of Florida’s (UF) undergraduate students and 14% of its graduate students are Jewish, making it the public university with the largest Jewish student population in the country.”
Although UF has some leftist antisemitic fools, its Jewish students do not live in fear. This is due to Kent Fuchs, Ben Sasse, Ron DeSantis, many other good souls, and the grace of God.
wow thats a lot to handle
god bless
Bern Sasse is a man with a clear set of values and the ability to make hard decisions. He will be deeply missed at UF. Prayers for his wife and family. God bless.
I’m afraid to look at what the leftist ghouls are saying on X.