Ben Sasse resigns as University of Florida president after wife's epilepsy diagnosis

Ben Sasse, a former Republican senator who represented Nebraska for eight years, said he will resign as University of Florida president at the end of this month to spend more time with his wife, who has been struggling with medical issues.

“In recent months, Melissa has been diagnosed with epilepsy and has been struggling with a new batch of memory issues,” he said Thursday in a statement. “It’s been hard, but we’ve faced it together.”

Sasse was appointed president in November 2022 and took office in February 2023. The university said its board of trustees will announce an interim president and start the search for a new president.