Sasse to resign as Midland University president following Senate primary victory

Ben Sasse served as the president of Midland University for five years.

Sasse recently won the Republican primary for the Senate seat of the retiring Mike Johanns (R).

After a critical win in the Republican primary for a Nebraska Senate seat, Ben Sasse has resigned as Midland University’s president.

Effective December 31, Sasse will no longer be president of the private liberal arts school regardless if he wins the election in November.

“While my next chapter in life will not be determined until November, I am hopeful that this early announcement will enable the university to conduct a thorough search and find the ideal person to serve as the next president of this proud institution,” he said in a press release.

Even though Sasse said his resignation wasn’t presumptuous of what November will bring, the 42-year-old is expected to easily defeat Democratic challenger Dave Domina and replace sitting Senator Mike Johanns (R) who is not running for reelection.

Throughout his five-year tenure as university president, Sasse is credited for adding 11 varsity and 12 junior varsity athletic programs, making the school not only Nebraska’s largest athletic program but also the fastest growing college in the region.

“Ben Sasse’s leadership has transformed Midland from a school focused on its survival to an institution that is breaking enrollment records, creating more opportunities for young people, and equipping the next generation to learn and live with purpose,” Midland’s Board of Directors Chairman Gary Perkins said in a statement. “When others were saying to cut and do less just to survive, Ben decided Midland needed to build more opportunities for students, create more meaningful experiences, and better support and nurture young minds so that our community could thrive.”

In the meantime, Sasse will assist with the presidential search process and continue to be involved in strategic planning at the university but will not be involved in the day-to-day functions, Nate Neufind, a spokesperson for Midland, told Campus Reform.

"To this point, during the campaign, he has taken operational leave," Neufind explained. 

The university is conducting a national search for its next president and plans to hire a selection firm to help with the process.

“[A]mong the top priorities for the next president will be to continue advancing Midland’s ongoing campus pluralization and expansion strategy,” the release says. “In four short years, Midland has rediscovered its potential and expects to build on this growing momentum.”

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