Ben Sasse to step down as University of Florida president

GAINESVILLE -- University of Florida President and former Republican Sen. Ben Sasse announced on Thursday that he is stepping down as UF president due to his wife's epilepsy and memory issues. Sasse said he will transition to teaching and advisory role.

In a lengthy letter addressed to "Gator Nation and cherished friends," Sasse said: "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."

Sasse explained that his wife, Melissa, suffered an aneurysm and a series of strokes in 2007 and has been diagnosed with epilepsy and is dealing with memory issues.

Sasse will resign from his current position as President effective July 31, 2024, and has asked the Board of Trustees to initiate a search for a new president. He has served nearly two years as president after becoming the university’s 13th president, appointed in November 2022.

Under Sasse’s short tenure, UF was named the No. 1 US public university by the Wall Street Journal last year, and a “new Ivy” by Forbes in 2024.