The University of Florida announced Monday that its presidential search advisory committee unanimously recommended Stuart R. Bell to the Board of Trustees as the only finalist to become UF’s 14th president.“After a robust and widespread search, our committee has unanimously concluded that Dr. Bell is the best choice to lead the University of Florida,” Rahul Patel, Chair of the Presidential Search Advisory Committee, said in a statement. “Dr. Bell possesses the qualities that make him a perfect fit for the University of Florida, including strong academic credentials. 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.”Your neighborhood: Local coverage from WPBF 25 NewsBell previously served as the president of the University of Alabama for 10 years.“Thank you to the Search Committee and Mr. Hosseini for having faith in me to guide the future of Gator Nation,” said 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.”Bell has the support of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.”Congrats to Dr. Stuart Bell on being selected by the University of Florida to be the next university president,” DeSantis said on a social media post on Monday. “Dr. Bell did much to elevate the University of Alabama when he was the president in Tuscaloosa and I have no doubt that he will help UF reach new heights during his tenure in Gainesville. He is a great selection and has my full support!”Bell’s academic administration career includes being a provost and professor of engineering at Louisiana State University and the dean of the University of Kansas School of Engineering.Bell received his doctorate degree in mechanical engineering and Bachelor of Science degree in nuclear engineering from Texas A&M University.The recommendation must be approved by the University of Florida Board of Trustees and confirmed by the Florida Board of Governors.The University of Florida’s search for a full-time president has been up and down in recent years. Former University of Michigan President Santa J. Ono, Ph.D. was named a finalist to become the president of the University of Florida in May 2025, but the Florida Board of Governors did not confirm his recommendation to become president on June 3, 2025.If confirmed, Bell will replace Kent Fuchs, who was UF’s president from 2015 – 2023. He was replaced by former Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse, who served from 2023 – 2024.Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.The University of Florida said Sasse transitioned to serving as President Emeritus at the university following his wife’s epilepsy diagnosis.Fuchs returned as UF president from 2024 – 2025. Don Landry has served as the university’s interim president.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. —

The University of Florida announced Monday that its presidential search advisory committee unanimously recommended Stuart R. Bell to the Board of Trustees as the only finalist to become UF’s 14th president.

“After a robust and widespread search, our committee has unanimously concluded that Dr. Bell is the best choice to lead the University of Florida,” Rahul Patel, Chair of the Presidential Search Advisory Committee, said in a statement.

“Dr. Bell possesses the qualities that make him a perfect fit for the University of Florida, including strong academic credentials. 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.”

Your neighborhood: Local coverage from WPBF 25 News

Bell previously served as the president of the University of Alabama for 10 years.

“Thank you to the Search Committee and Mr. Hosseini for having faith in me to guide the future of Gator Nation,” said 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.”

TUSCALOOSA,AL-JAN15: Stuart R. Bell, president of the University of Alabama, walks on the quad, January 15, 2016, in Tuscaloosa, AL. The University of Alabama, founded in 1831, once served mainly Alabama students as the states flagship institution. Now more than 60 percent of entering freshmen come from out of state. The university has had one of the largest shifts toward out-of-state enrollment in the country in the past decade. Bell is upbeat about the growth in out-of-state enrollment at Alabama. When students vote with their feet to be at your institution, thats a really great outcome." (Photo by Evelyn Hockstein/For The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Getty ImagesThe Washington Post

TUSCALOOSA,AL-JAN15: Stuart R. Bell, president of the University of Alabama, walks on the quad, January 15, 2016, in Tuscaloosa, AL. The University of Alabama, founded in 1831, once served mainly Alabama students as the states flagship institution. Now more than 60 percent of entering freshmen come from out of state. The university has had one of the largest shifts toward out-of-state enrollment in the country in the past decade. Bell is upbeat about the growth in out-of-state enrollment at Alabama. When students vote with their feet to be at your institution, thats a really great outcome.” (Photo by Evelyn Hockstein/For The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Bell has the support of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

“Congrats to Dr. Stuart Bell on being selected by the University of Florida to be the next university president,” DeSantis said on a social media post on Monday. “Dr. Bell did much to elevate the University of Alabama when he was the president in Tuscaloosa and I have no doubt that he will help UF reach new heights during his tenure in Gainesville. He is a great selection and has my full support!”

Bell’s academic administration career includes being a provost and professor of engineering at Louisiana State University and the dean of the University of Kansas School of Engineering.

Bell received his doctorate degree in mechanical engineering and Bachelor of Science degree in nuclear engineering from Texas A&M University.

The recommendation must be approved by the University of Florida Board of Trustees and confirmed by the Florida Board of Governors.

The University of Florida’s search for a full-time president has been up and down in recent years.

Former University of Michigan President Santa J. Ono, Ph.D. was named a finalist to become the president of the University of Florida in May 2025, but the Florida Board of Governors did not confirm his recommendation to become president on June 3, 2025.

If confirmed, Bell will replace Kent Fuchs, who was UF’s president from 2015 – 2023. He was replaced by former Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse, who served from 2023 – 2024.

Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.

The University of Florida said Sasse transitioned to serving as President Emeritus at the university following his wife’s epilepsy diagnosis.

Fuchs returned as UF president from 2024 – 2025. Don Landry has served as the university’s interim president.