Ben Sasse, the president of the University of Florida, is rearranging his life so that he can care for his wife. The administrator, who has only been in his position for two years, has announced that he is leaving his position in order to take care of his family, following his wife receiving a diagnosis of epilepsy.
The announcement came late in the day on Thursday the 18th of July, in a post to Sasse’s X account. In the post Sasse, who was once a U.S. Senator from Nebraska, described the decision as difficult, involving much in the way of tears and prayer, he had advised the University that it needed to start looking for a replacement. His resignation, Sasse said, will take effect on July 31.
In light of his wife’s health problems, the family’s habits and the family home need new systems and protocols so that everything can function smoothly even when the worst happens. Sasse said that redesigning and rebuilding the household’s systems is one of his first priorities after he leaves his post. He also said that he will maintain his position as a teacher at the University.
Melissa Sasse, Ben’s wife, suffered series of strokes precipitated by an aneurysm in 2007, and recently began exhibiting signs of memory problems and seizures, which led to her diagnosis of epilepsy. Sasse said in his statement that his wife continues to be a warrior, and she’s not letting the illness beat her.
Ben and Melissa are the parents of three children—two of their daughters are currently in college, while their youngest child is on the cusp of turning thirteen.
Sasse is the University’s thirteenth president, a job for which he abandoned his role as Senator. His term as Senator saw him coming to loggerheads with other members of his party. He was an outspoken critic of then-President Trump and was among those Republicans who voted to impeach the former President.
