University of Florida President and former Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse (R) said Thursday he plans to step down at the end of the month, pointing to a family health issue.
“After extensive prayers and many family tears, today I asked UF President Mori Hosseini and our Board of Trustees to begin a search for a new university president,” Sasse said in a statement. post on social platform X. “I need to step back and focus more on my family’s needs as we rebuild more stable home systems.”
Sasse left the Senate in January last year after being approved by a school regulatory body in late 2022 to take over as the university’s next president.
“As many of you know, my wife Melissa suffered an aneurysm and a series of strokes in 2007,” Sasse said in his X post. “At that time, doctors prepared us for the worst, but – in God’s providence – she made an incredible comeback. Over the next few years – 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 is the strongest person I know. We have battled some nasty upheavals over the past two years, but she has always remained a warrior.”
“In recent months, Melissa has been diagnosed with epilepsy and has been struggling with a new batch of memory problems. It’s been difficult, but we got through this together,” Sasse continued in his post. “Lots of late nights, lots of difficult decisions and lots of ‘what’s most important?’ conversations.”
Mori Hosseini, president of the school’s Board of Trustees, said in an ad the board “thanks Dr. Sasse for his service to the University of Florida. Under his leadership, UF has continued to advance on the national and international stage, benefiting our students, faculty, alumni, community and state.”
“He left a lasting impact on the university and all those associated with it. We wish Ben all the best as he returns to focus on his family,” Hosseini said.
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