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<\/a><\/p>\nFormer University of Alabama President Stuart R. Bell is the sole candidate for the UF presidential post, a university presidential search committee announced Monday. (Photo viaUniversity of Florida)<\/p>\n
But the selection of Bell, who hold degrees in engineering and served in leading positions at other schools including Louisiana State University, bucks a trend that saw many other higher education institutions around the state turn to politicians in the past few years.<\/p>\n
UF, however, is turning to someone with lengthy experience in the tumultuous world of college athletics that\u2019s been upended for reasons including lawsuits and the rise of name, image, and likeness deals with athletes. UFs press release announcing the selection even quoted former Alabama head coach Nick Saban.<\/p>\n
\u201cDr. 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,\u201d Gov. Ron DeSantis said in a post on X<\/a>. \u201cHe is a great selection and has my full support.\u201d<\/p>\n Now that Bell has been recommended by the UF Presidential Search Advisory Committee, the matter will be handed over to the UF Board of Trustees for approval.<\/p>\n If they agree, the recommendation would need final approval by the State University System Board of Governors, which last year voted to reject the last candidate for the post, University of Michigan President Santa Ono<\/a><\/p>\n According to a press release announcing the recommendation, Bell during his tenure in Tuscaloosa increased Alabama\u2019s graduation and retention rates, and helped the university achieve a top research designation under the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. UF holds the same research status.\u00a0<\/p>\n Bell earned his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering and his B.S. in nuclear engineering from Texas A&M University. Earlier, 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.<\/p>\n \u201cAfter a robust and widespread search, our committee has unanimously concluded that Dr. Bell is the best choice to lead the University of Florida,\u201d said Rahul Patel, chair of the search committee. <\/p>\n \u201cDr. 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\u2019s reputation as one of the nation\u2019s leading public universities. <\/p>\n \u201cWe believe Dr. Bell is uniquely positioned to help UF continue its trajectory toward becoming consistently recognized among the top three public universities in America.\u201d<\/p>\n SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX.<\/a><\/p>\n In choosing Bell, the search committee sidestepped Landry, a Columbia University medical researcher and professor. His contract<\/a> included a requirement that UF pay him if he wasn\u2019t named UF president on a permanent basis.<\/p>\n Mori Hosseini, the powerful chair of the UF Board of Trustees, thanked Landry for his work as interim president.<\/p>\n \u201cWe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n Donald W. Landry, M.D., Ph.D. and interim president of the University of Florida. (Photo via University of Florida)<\/p>\n Bell\u2019s recommendation to head UF could bring an end to what seemingly has been a revolving presidential door at the university over the past two years after Ben Sasse unexpectedly stepped down<\/a>\u00a0in July 2024.<\/p>\n Following Sasse\u2019s departure, former UF president Ken Fuchs agreed to return in an interim position as the university launched a presidential search to replace Sasse.<\/p>\n That search recommended Ono<\/a> for the post in May 2025. And Ono appeared poised to become the next UF president after being unanimously approved by UF trustees<\/a>.<\/p>\n But a week following the trustees\u2019 vote, members of the Board of Governors grilled Ono at length about his positions on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Ultimately the BOG voted 6-10 against Ono.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n