His wife Melissa was diagnosed with epilepsy and has memory issues.
Sasse served for nearly two years as University of Florida president after leaving the US Senate.
Sasse was a critic of former President Donald Trump in the Senate but voted with him 85% of the time and helped get his three Supreme Court nominees confirmed.
The university faced criticism for closing the Chief Diversity Officer's office, scrapping jobs, and halting DEI-focused vendor contracts under Sasse's leadership.
University of Florida President Ben Sasse resigned on July 18, 2024.
University of Florida President Ben Sasse announced his resignation on July 18, 2024, after his wife Melissa was diagnosed with epilepsy and has been experiencing memory issues. Sasse, who left the US Senate last year to become the University of Florida president, served for nearly two years in this position. In a statement released by the university, Sasse said that he needed to step back and focus more on his family's needs.
Sasse's wife had an aneurysm and a series of strokes in 2007 and was recently diagnosed with epilepsy. The couple has two daughters in college, and their youngest child is turning 13 years old. Sasse was a critic of former President Donald Trump in the Senate, leading to criticism from within his own party despite voting with Trump 85% of the time and helping get his three Supreme Court nominees confirmed.
The chair of the university's board of trustees, Mori Hosseini, thanked Sasse for his leadership and wished him all the best as he steps back to focus on his family. Sasse will remain involved with the university as President Emeritus and professor.
Sasse's resignation comes after UF under his leadership closed the Chief Diversity Officer's office, scrapped jobs, and halted DEI-focused vendor contracts in response to higher education reforms. The university faced criticism for these actions from students and faculty.
The board of trustees will begin the search for a new president immediately.
Ben Sasse has resigned as the President of University of Florida effective July 31, 2023.
Sasse's wife, Melissa, was recently diagnosed with epilepsy and is experiencing new memory issues.
UF under Sasse closed the Chief Diversity Officer’s office, scrapped jobs and halted DEI-focused vendor contracts in response to higher education reforms.
Accuracy
Ben Sasse resigned as the President of University of Florida effective July 31, 2023.
Sasse joined several other former Republican lawmakers to lead Florida’s public higher education system including John Thrasher and Ray Rodrigues.
Sasse received praise from top state officials for handling aftermath of Oct. 7 events at UF regarding pro-Palestinian protests.
UF trustees will appoint an interim president and launch a new presidential search in the future.
Ben Sasse's wife has been diagnosed with epilepsy and is experiencing new memory issues.
Sasse took office as president of the University of Florida in early February 2023.
Accuracy
Ben Sasse is resigning as the President of the University of Florida (UF) effective July 31 due to his wife's recent epilepsy diagnosis and her new batch of memory issues.
Under Sasse's leadership, UF has maintained its ranking as one of the best public universities in America and was ranked No. 1 public university in the nation by the Wall Street Journal.
University of Florida president Ben Sasse announced his resignation on July 18, 2024
Sasse’s wife, Melissa, was diagnosed with epilepsy and has been experiencing memory issues and seizures
The couple has two daughters in college and a youngest child turning 13 years old
Sasse left the US Senate last year to become the University of Florida president
Sasse was a critic of former President Donald Trump in the Senate, leading to criticism from within his own party despite voting with Trump 85% of the time and helping get his three Supreme Court nominees confirmed
