The University of Florida Presidential Search Committee has unanimously recommended United States Senator Dr. Ben Sasse, as the only finalist to be considered by its Board of Trustees, which will select the 13th president of the University of Florida.
Dr. Sasse has had a distinguished academic career, earning a PhD from Yale University and a BA from Harvard University. Dr. Sasse spent five years as president of Midland University, where he is widely credited with transforming the institution. Before that, Dr. Sasse had a varied and impressive career in academia and the private sector. The passion of Dr. Sasse’s passion for teaching began at Yale University and continued as a professor at the University of Texas at Austin. In addition to winning the Egleston and Theron Rockwell Field Best Doctoral Dissertation Awards, he is also the author of two New York Times best-selling books.
“This is right for the University of Florida, right for the state of Florida and right for the Sasse family,” said Rahul Patel, chairman of the Presidential Search Committee. “Ben brings intellectual curiosity, a belief in the power and potential of America’s universities, and an unparalleled track record of leadership spanning higher education, government and the private sector.”
“He has worked tirelessly for decades to empower people to achieve their goals, putting education at the forefront of his lifelong service to this great nation. Having taught at the University of Texas and served as president of the , Ben’s experiences are also deep and wide ranging from health and technology to history and philosophy.His insight, humility, integrity, incredible personal nature, and deep concern for humanity are traits that will serve him exceptionally well in the UF community. This is the right time for such a talented public servant to lead the Gator Nation into the future.”
The recruitment process was comprehensive and included outreach to more than 700 leaders in and outside of higher education. Ultimately, the search committee focused its attention on a dozen highly qualified diverse candidates. Nine were presidents of major research universities and seven were from AAU universities. Sasse was the unanimous choice of the UF Search Committee.
“The University of Florida is the most interesting university in America right now,” said Dr. Sasse “It is the largest institution in the nation’s most economically dynamic state, and its board of directors, faculty and graduates are uniquely positioned to lead this country through an era of disruption. The caliber of teaching and research at UF is unmistakable, conducted through the core principles of shared governance and academic freedom. I am excited about the opportunity to work alongside one of the most outstanding faculties in the country.”
Sasse also discussed the role of the University in the midst of a rapidly changing economic, civic and educational landscape.
“The biggest challenge facing our nation is the radical disruption of work,” he said. “Technology is changing everything about where, when, why, what and how Americans work, and therefore it’s also changing our homes, neighborhoods and communities. Lifetime work in one industry will never again be the norm for most Americans, and therefore lifelong learning must necessarily become the norm for most Americans.Higher education will have to change and grow, and rethink – its forms, over and over again”.
The UF Board of Trustees will now officially consider Sasse as the finalist recommended by the Presidential Search Committee. After its evaluation, the Board may appoint the next chair, subject to confirmation by the Florida Board of Governors.
“The University of Florida is one of the top five public universities in the country for the second year in a row, but we have much more to build on,” said Mori Hosseini, president of the Board of Trustees. “Our economy is evolving rapidly, and UF graduates will lead the nation. We need a transformational leader to guide our strategic planning to prioritize among the spectacular opportunities before us at this time of growth and change.”
“I am grateful to the Search Committee, grateful for the involvement of the UF community that helped inform this search, and delighted with the unanimous recommendation of Dr. Ben Sasse as our next president. I am excited to bring this recommendation to our Board of Trustees for consideration and for Ben’s upcoming visit to campus, where our community will have the opportunity to meet and share his vision for the future with him.”
Next Steps
Dr. Sasse will visit campus on Monday, October 10, 2022 to meet with students, faculty and other members of the university community.
Participants are invited to submit questions online at https://presidentsearch. See the article : Political Report: Faulconer Invokes Electoral Initiative.ufl.edu/ask-a-question/ in advance of the sessions through the UF Presidential Search website, where logistical information will be posted.
After the campus visit, participants will have the opportunity to share feedback online through the UF Presidential Search website. These comments will be reviewed by the UF Board of Trustees before interviewing the finalist at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, November 1, 2022, in Emerson Hall.
The campus visit and interview of the Board of Trustees candidates will also be streamed live on the UF presidential search website.
Additional quotes from select Search Committee members:
Dr. David Bloom, chair and professor of the Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, former president of the Faculty Senate: “Ben Sasse will be a truly transformative leader for UF to help take our great university to the next level. He is truly qualified unique for this position and is someone we on the faculty will be really excited about. To see also : UMD SPORTS BOOK, MY9 SPORTS ANNOUNCE MULTI-YEAR BROADCAST RIGHTS EXTENSION. He has a strong academic pedigree and experience as a leader in higher education. His time at the US Department of Health and Human Services and his service in the US Senate The United States provides him with a perspective that will help him navigate resource development and bring people together.”
Lisa Lundy, Professor and Undergraduate Coordinator, Department of Agricultural Education and Communication: “What distinguished Ben Sasse from my perspective was the emphasis on innovation for UF at all levels, from our national impact down to a single student’s experience in and out of the classroom. Ben also has a unique appreciation for the importance of UF in helping to advance the well-being of all Floridians.”
Dr. Duane Mitchell, Phyllis Kottler Friedman Professor, Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine: “Ben Sasse brings to the leadership of our university an exceptional educational background and a wealth of experience and visionary leadership in academia, industry and government . His deep understanding and inspiring vision of how to address future opportunities and challenges in the future of education, research and health care are compelling assets that Ben Sasse will pass on as the next president of the University of Florida.”
Laura Rosenbury, Dean of Levin College of Law; and Levin, Mabie & Levin Professor of Law and Affiliated Professor, Center for Women’s Studies and Gender Research: “Ben Sasse has long been a principled advocate for higher education. He embodies academic freedom with his deep commitment to engage- se with people across difference. I’m excited for Ben to lead UF’s diverse and innovative community.”
