Dr. Stuart R. Bell Unanimously Recommended as Sole Finalist for University of Florida President
The University of Florida Presidential Search Advisory Committee unanimously recommended Dr. Stuart R. Bell to the Board of Trustees as the sole finalist to serve as the university’s 14th president.
Dr. Bell most recently served as President of the University of Alabama, a position he held for 10 years. He played a critical role in elevating the university’s national rankings, strengthening academic standards, increasing student enrollment, advancing championship-caliber athletics, and modernizing and expanding campus facilities. Also during his tenure, the university increased graduation and retention rates, achieved prestigious R1 research status.
Dr. Bell’s leadership experience also includes a term serving as the President of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) from 2023 to 2025 and on its Executive Committee from 2021 to 2025. In these roles, he worked with all SEC schools, the conference commissioner, legislators in Washington, DC, and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) to address critical issues facing collegiate athletics nationwide.
Prior to his tenure at the University of Alabama, Dr. Bell served as provost and professor of engineering at Louisiana State University and as dean of the School of Engineering and professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Kansas. He is also widely recognized for his research and publications on natural gas and combustion engines, and was inducted into the State of Alabama Engineering Hall of Fame in 2023.
Dr. Bell earned his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering and his B.S. in nuclear engineering from Texas A&M University. He has been elected to membership in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), the Society of Automotive Engineers, and the National Society of Professional Engineers. Among his leadership roles, Dr. Bell serves or has served on the Executive Committee for Academic Affairs of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU), on the Board of Directors for the Center for Science Education at the University of Kansas, as the Chairman of the Academic Advisory Council for the NSF’s Center for Remote Sensing of Ice Sheets (CReSIS) based at the University of Kansas, and as a trustee of the ASME Foundation.
“After a robust and widespread search, our committee has unanimously concluded that Dr. Bell is the best choice to lead the University of Florida,” said Rahul Patel, Chair of the Presidential Search Advisory Committee. “Dr. Bell possesses the qualities that make him a perfect fit for the University of Florida, including strong academic credential and a proven track record of athletic success. With his experience at the helm of a flagship university, fundraising abilities, and deep relationships across higher education, within the Southeastern Conference, and beyond, we are confident Dr. Bell will transition seamlessly into this new role and build on UF’s reputation as one of the nation’s leading public universities. We believe Dr. Bell is uniquely positioned to help UF continue its trajectory toward becoming consistently recognized among the top three public universities in America.”
“The Search Committee has put forth a candidate whose academic achievements and experience at a flagship state university makes him the obvious choice to lead UF going forward,” said Mori Hosseini, Chair of the UF Board of Trustees. “I fully support the committee’s unanimous recommendation, and I have full confidence in Dr. Bell to build on UF’s record of success and help lead UF into its next era of national prominence. We are delighted to express our heartfelt gratitude to physician-scientist Dr. Donald Landry, who served with inspired dedication as UF Interim President for the 2025-26 academic year while on extended leave from Columbia University, to which he now returns as tenured Hamilton Southworth Professor of Medicine, Director of the Burch-Lodge Center of Human Longevity and Chair Emeritus of the Department of Medicine.”
“Dr. Bell is an outstanding person and was a great leader at the University of Alabama,” said former Alabama Football Coach Nick Saban. “In the locker room after almost every game, he is a good friend and passionate supporter of athletics –– and is someone who made a significant impact on the university and the Tuscaloosa community. I know he will do wonderful things in Gainesville!”
“I want to thank Chair Hosseini and the Board of Trustees for the opportunity work with a board truly dedicated to its university,” said Interim President Don Landry. “The scope and quality of the University of Florida was a revelation to me and a wonder to behold! And, while I am pleased to have contributed Institutional Neutrality to the panoply of UF protections for academic freedom and free expression, I will absolutely cherish getting to know so many spectacular students, faculty and staff.”
“Thank you to the Search Committee and Mr. Hosseini for having faith in me to guide the future of Gator Nation,” said Dr. Stuart R. Bell. “The University of Florida is a special place, and I look forward to the opportunity to lead this top-tier university and help firmly establish UF among the nation’s top 3 public universities. I will continue to keep UF focused on the pursuit of truth, knowledge, and excellence while standing strong against ideologies and fads that have no place in the classroom.”
As required by Florida law, the Presidential Search Committee was responsible for designing the search criteria, identifying and vetting a broad pool of qualified candidates, and recommending finalist candidates to the Board of Trustees. This recommendation is subject to the University of Florida Board of Trustees approval and confirmation by the Florida Board of Governors.
Additional information on Dr. Bell’s background, leadership, and honors will be forthcoming on the Presidential Search Website.
