Meredith_IFAS

Senior Public Relations Specialist for UF/IFAS Communications at the University of Florida. @UFJschool adj. instructor. Former reporter.
[email protected]

[Ben Sasse @BenSasse]

Dear Gator Nation and cherished friends,

This isn’t an easy note to write but wanted to give you an update on our family. As many of you know, my wife Melissa suffered an aneurysm and series of strokes in 2007. Back then, the docs prepared us for the worst, but – in God’s providence – she made an incredible comeback. In the years since – from Nebraska to DC to Florida – she kept our family grounded while I missed too many family dinners, little league games, hugs, and tears. She’s the strongest person I know. We’ve battled some nasty seizures the last couple years, but she’s always remained a warrior.

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.

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. I need to step back for a time and focus more on the needs of my family while we rebuild more stable household systems.

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.

I’m grateful for our board’s support. Mori and the board have giant hearts – for this university and for this community. It’s easy to see why.

I’m grateful for you, Gator Nation. You’ve welcomed our family with open arms. Professors who change the world, students who pack the Swamp, men and women who do the unsung work of keeping a big place like this rolling (shout out to the third-shift maintenance crews, the early morning cafeteria workers, and the Ben Hill Griffin cleanup team). We love you. You touched our hearts and made this more than a job – you made it our community. That’s why we’re not going anywhere.

Our family is staying here in Gainesville. I’ll be here as President Emeritus and professor, continuing to teach classes.

It's great to be a Florida Gator! … It’s even greater to be a husband and a dad.

With love and gratitude,
Ben

https://t.co/eSCN3TplGu

[Meredith_IFAS @Meredith_IFAS]

@Toffeemen68 Now THAT'S a phrase that speaks volumes!

[Meredith_IFAS @Meredith_IFAS]

Exactly why (among other reasons) I tell my students they can't trust AI-written content to use in their articles.

[Meredith_IFAS @Meredith_IFAS]

@ravecationist @UF They've got lots of experienced experts doing everything they can to take care of people and the bear. They've done this before and know what to do.

Here's hoping for a resolution today. A lot of that depends on the cooperation of Mr. Bear, and until then, we wait.

[Meredith_IFAS @Meredith_IFAS]

@briannelehan @UF I hear you

[Meredith_IFAS @Meredith_IFAS]

@briannelehan @UF Our media relations specialists are actually finalizing a "bear safety" PSA as we speak and it should be on socials soon. We started working on one as soon as we heard about our bear visitor, and it takes a bit of time to track down factual information direct from experts.

[Meredith_IFAS @Meredith_IFAS]

@UF I can bear-ly believe there's a bear on campus!

[Chris Vivian @cvivian86]

We (@UF_IFAS) are looking for someone who loves learning about cool things like plants, agriculture, wildlife and Florida's natural resources, and then creating amazing #socialmedia content. Is that you?? Apply here and join our #team.
https://t.co/0Xnwh0R6XR

[FLORIDA @UF]

The University of Florida is partnering to open new markets in the global space economy with the launch of #SpaceEdge. 🛰️

This unique business accelerator will help student entrepreneurs and companies bring biomedical innovations to life — and space. 🚀
https://t.co/gdZuBGqyNK

[Meredith_IFAS @Meredith_IFAS]

.@UF is working with several universities to launch a new space-focused business accelerator, and @UF_IFAS is an essential part.

https://t.co/wYPzUQMbAa

[UF IFAS @UF_IFAS]

New S.W.A.R.M. tech takes the term drone to the next level by enabling researchers to direct hive movement via a retrofitted drone remote & wireless connectivity coating!

See how this @ufhoneybeelab innovation will change beekeeping & #FloridaAg ➡️ https://t.co/7HBYy0uQPf

[UF Fruit Crops Lab 🐊☀️🍑🍇🌳 @UFfruitcrops]

#MuscaTips: We introduced #FreezeDried muscadines🟣to visitors in the #FlavorsofFlorida 2024 last night at @SwampUF🐊. People loved it! This sweet and crunchy #superfood experience were well received. Have you tried it already? @UF_IFAS @ufhorticulture @UFPostharvest @FDACS

[Meredith_IFAS @Meredith_IFAS]

I went with @DrJtotheMastro at the frigid time of 4:30 a.m. this morning to @WCJB20 to get out the news about Flavors of Florida. I set up a live freeze-dried muscadine grape tasting, and they were a hit!

[Meredith_IFAS @Meredith_IFAS]

@WriterNatSwift Bluey taught me the going rate is $5 a tooth because that’s what all her friends get. But Bluey’s dad thinks that’s a bit steep. My son is about to start losing teeth, and I’ll probably do a dollar coin now and then $2 bills for later.

[Meredith_IFAS @Meredith_IFAS]

@jon_cronshaw Holes

[Meredith_IFAS @Meredith_IFAS]

@jeanmare_gag First one, for sure.

[Meredith_IFAS @Meredith_IFAS]

@UFCJCLibrarian @TheAlligator Great to see you there! Thanks for all of your hard work on the event and the digital exhibit!

[Meredith_IFAS @Meredith_IFAS]

I’m in the field with Dr. Charlie Li from @UF_IFAS, who is being interviewed by @WFTV about artificial intelligence in agriculture.

[Meredith_IFAS @Meredith_IFAS]

Water, water everywhere… and lots of things to think (about)!

I’m at the @UF Water Institute Symposium today, learning about #IoT irrigation, #AI in soil moisture sensing and environmental equity. It’s great to see @UF_IFAS represented heavily here. #UFWater24