On May 24, 2024, the James Madison Program in American Ideals and
Institutions hosted a Princeton University Reunions event with Ben
Sasse, President of the University of Florida and former United States
Senator from Nebraska, in conversation with Robert P. George, McCormick
Professor of Jurisprudence and Director of the James Madison Program.
The event was titled, "Great Minds Matter: Western Civilization and the
Liberal Arts."
The two discussed the opportunities and challenges facing American
higher education. Among the topics to be explored were: the mission of
liberal arts colleges and universities, the scope and limits of academic
freedom, the importance of equal opportunity, viewpoint diversity,
ideological non-partisanship, and the maintenance of intellectual
excellence and integrity.
Ben Sasse joined the University of Florida as a professor and 13th
president of the 170-year-old institution in February 2023. A husband,
father, historian, Uber driver, and football addict, Ben is committed to
guiding Gator Nation through this era of rapid change in the nature of
work, technology, and higher education.
As the leader of Florida’s flagship land-grant university, Ben has moved
swiftly to cultivate fresh leadership, construct a UF-wide strategic
planning initiative, and ground UF’s priorities in making the highest
and best use of public funds. He has sought to establish goals that are
critical to Gators and the state: more applied research, more focus on
lifelong learning for students, and faster, more nimble engagement with
exceptional partners.
Twice elected to the United States Senate and a two-time New York Times
national best-selling author, Ben’s career has spanned the private and
public sectors. Passionate about education and teaching, Ben taught at
Yale University, the University of Texas, and Midland University in his
Nebraska hometown. Professor Sasse has won teaching awards and holds a
history Ph.D. from Yale, where his dissertation won both the Egleston
and Theron Rockwell Field best dissertation prizes.
Ben and his wife, Melissa, have two college-age daughters and a younger
son. Ben, Melissa, and Breck live on campus with multiple dogs and
Breck’s lizard, Dart, who is delighted to call humid subtropical
Gainesville home.
Contributions to and/or sponsorship of any event does not constitute
departmental or institutional endorsement of the specific program,
speakers or views presented.