Former Sen. Ben Sasse Takes Office as University of Florida President

He wasn’t at the past present and future event tonight. I was just having a bit of fun with the total net worth in the room though as I was watching. Probably 400-500 people there? And a lot of really accomplished folks. Wondering whether we cleared 1 or even 2 billion. Crazy to think about in the abstract. Was in the champions club, which was pretty cool actually.
Joe Scarborough is doing the graduation speech tomorrow though so I would be we don’t see Sasse. Will let you know if we do though.

 

My brother and his wife were there for my niece's graduation. I'll ask him if Sasse was there. Will also ask what he thought of Scarborough. Little bro' is a Republican, though thoroughly anti Trump and anti DeSantis.

 

He wasn’t.
Scabororoughs speech was fairly political, Ian 6 etc. they gave him and Mika a UF jersey to which he said “roll tide”, before coming back and giving a “go gators”

 

That sucks, honestly. Graduation speeches shouldn't be political.

 

Well Scarborough is a bit of a jackass anyway so not surprised.

 

He wasn’t overtly political, but talked about rule of law against things like Jan6, conspiracy theories, the danger of democracy being threatened etc. he didn’t name a single politician by name but his intent seemed clear.
You can watch it here. His speech starts around 36:45 here.
2023 Spring College of Law Commencement

 

When is the last time a UF prez failed to attend graduation?

Seems like incredibly bad form.

 

I think it’s sad, English grammar must not be taught anymore. It sure was interesting in classes and fun to have a contest with it on the old blackboards with other students!

 

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I'd say it was 3rd grade, 4th grade and 5th grade where it was the most interesting and fun.

 

So how’s he doing?

Haven’t heard or read anything since he came on board.

 

There hasnt been much to say or read about him. He will be gone once he's collected his $10 million

 

I don’t think it’s abnormal for the prez to miss graduate level ceremonies. He was there for the undergraduate stuff from what I saw.

 

Fuch's missed my son's "makeup graduation" in 2021 from the canceled 2020 grad ceremony. He was disappointed since he and his friends were big fans of Fuchs, however, no one was insulted. They assumed it was for a good reason since he made time to high five students randomly around campus all the time.

Fuch's started like Meyer.. building a culture that was immersed in Florida lore and legend.. Sasse is starting like Muschamp... "its just a job".

 

Sasse may be looking for the midline.

 

from the perspective of someone on the inside id say his lack of visibility, vision, and strategy are appalling given the larger state context right now. No one on campus knows up from down because there is no leadership. Many are just in keep your head down and do what you did before mode

now that the provost job is posted you can see what his vision is. No vision. He expects the provost to build the strategic vision. I guess an ok decision since it’s clear he doesn’t know what he’s doing in the R1 land grant context.

 

Given that, what do you think the reason for choosing him was then?

Just for DeSantis to have a high profile conservative as president of the flagship school, that also happened to get under the skin of Trump?

 

My guess is he took this position hoping to leverage it for a quick move to secretary of education or something like that. He clearly doesn’t care a lot about the job he has now.

 

Sizing up a VP offer?

 

Humility is good. Hopefully that is the genesis of this and not a way to let the provost chosen by DeS be the hatchet guy. Passing the buck to insulate himself?

 

This is also just about the worst time for UF to lack leadership, considering the atomic bomb that is S.B. 266 going off on July 1.