Current:Home > ContactUniversity of Florida president Ben Sasse is resigning after his wife was diagnosed with epilepsy-DB Wealth Institute B2 Reviews & Ratings
University of Florida president Ben Sasse is resigning after his wife was diagnosed with epilepsy
lotradecoin payoutschedule View Date:2024-12-25 15:34:41
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — University of Florida president Ben Sasse announced late Thursday that he will leave his position of nearly two years to focus on taking care of his family after his wife was diagnosed with epilepsy.
In a post on the social platform X, the former U.S. senator from Nebraska said that “after extensive prayer and lots of family tears,” he asked university officials that day to start looking for a new president. In a statement, the university said his resignation is effective July 31.
“I need to step back for a time and focus more on the needs of my family while we rebuild more stable household systems,” Sasse said, adding that he would continue to teach at the university.
Sasse’s wife, Melissa, who had an aneurysm and a series of strokes in 2007, was recently diagnosed with epilepsy and has been having “a new batch of memory issues,” he said.
“We’ve battled some nasty seizures the last couple years, but she’s always remained a warrior,” he said.
The couple has two daughters in college, and their youngest child is turning 13, he said.
Sasse, a Republican, left the senate last year after being named the 13th president of the university.
While in the Senate, he was a prominent critic of former President Donald Trump who joined with a handful of other Republicans to vote in favor of conviction his impeachment trial after the 2021 Capitol riot. That led to criticism from within Sasse’s own party even though he voted with Trump 85% of the time and helped get his three Supreme Court nominees confirmed.
The chair of the university’s board of trustees, Mori Hosseini, thanked Sasse for his leadership.
“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,” Hosseini said.
Sasse thanked the university for welcoming his family and said he was grateful for the professors and students as well those behind the scenes, like third-shift maintenance crews and the early morning cafeteria workers.
“We love you. You touched our hearts and made this more than a job — you made it our community,” Sasse said. “That’s why we’re not going anywhere.”
veryGood! (38)
Related
- A fiery Texas politician launched a legal assault on Google and Meta. And he's winning.
- Georgia case over railroad’s use of eminent domain could have property law implications
- Israel-Hamas war rages with cease-fire delayed, Israeli hostage and Palestinian prisoner families left to hope
- Dogs gone: Thieves break into LA pet shop, steal a dozen French bulldogs, valued at $100,000
- Emily in Paris' Ashley Park Reveals How Lily Collins Predicted Her Relationship With Costar Paul Forman
- Archaeologists discover mummies of children that may be at least 1,000 years old – and their skulls still had hair on them
- ‘You’ll die in this pit': Takeaways from secret recordings of Russian soldiers in Ukraine
- Israel-Hamas hostage deal delayed until Friday, Israeli official says
- Wally Amos, 88, of cookie fame, died at home in Hawaii. He lost Famous Amos but found other success
- Skyscraper-studded Dubai has flourished during regional crises. Could it benefit from hosting COP28?
Ranking
- Horoscopes Today, August 14, 2024
- Suzanne Shepherd, Sopranos and Goodfellas actress, dies at 89
- Girl, 11, confirmed as fourth victim of Alaska landslide, two people still missing
- Mega Millions winning numbers for Black Friday drawing; Jackpot at $305 million
- Wally Amos, 88, of cookie fame, died at home in Hawaii. He lost Famous Amos but found other success
- Stock market today: Asian shares mostly decline, as investors watch spending, inflation
- Consumers spent $5.6 billion on Thanksgiving Day — but not on turkey
- Still looking for deals on holiday gifts? Retailers are offering discounts on Cyber Monday
Recommendation
-
Britney Spears' Ex Sam Asghari Reveals Special Girl in His Life—But It's Not What You Think
-
Palestinian militants kill 2 alleged informers for Israel and mob drags bodies through camp alleys
-
How did humans get to the brink of crashing climate? A long push for progress and energy to fuel it
-
Suzanne Shepherd, Sopranos and Goodfellas actress, dies at 89
-
Millions of kids are still skipping school. Could the answer be recess — and a little cash?
-
Michigan-Ohio State: Wolverines outlast Buckeyes for third win in a row against rivals
-
Mega Millions winning numbers for Black Friday drawing; Jackpot at $305 million
-
Nebraska woman bags marriage proposal shortly after killing big buck on hunting trip