University of Florida President Ben Sasse announces resignation after wife diagnosed with epilepsy

The university is all set to announce an interim president and start the search for a new President. The university will involve the UF community in every step of this process, confirms the official statement.

Study in US: University of Florida President Ben Sasse has informed the university that he is going to resign from his current role effective July 31, 2024, after his wife was diagnosed with epilepsy. He has asked the university Board to start the process of searching for a new president.

“My wife Melissa’s recent epilepsy diagnosis and a new batch of memory issues have been hard, but we’re facing it together. Our two wonderful daughters are in college, but our youngest is just turning 13. 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. I need to step back and rebuild more stable household systems for a time. 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,” said President Sasse.

Interim President will be announced soon

Mori Hosseini, chair of the Board of Trustees said, “The Board of Trustees 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 has left a lasting impact on the university and all of those associated with it. We wish Ben all the best as he steps back to focus on his family."

University of Florida is all set to start the search process for a new president. It will be involving the university community in the process. Meanwhile, it will also announce an interim President.

Ben Sasse has posted a long post on X platform and explained the whole scenario in which he has taken this decision.

"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," reads his message on Twitter.

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