The University of Florida’s Presidential Search Advisory Committee unanimously recommended Dr. Stuart R. Bell as the sole finalist for UF’s 14th president on Monday afternoon. 

Bell most recently served as president of the University of Alabama, a role he held for 10 years, according to a Monday UF press release.  

“Thank you to the Search Committee and Mr. [Mori] Hosseini [chair of the UF Board of Trustees] for having faith in me to guide the future of Gator Nation,” Bell said in the release. “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.” 

During his tenure at Alabama, the release said Bell played an essential role in “elevating the university’s national rankings, strengthening academic standards, increasing student enrollment, advancing championship-caliber athletics, and modernizing and expanding campus facilities.”  

“Dr. Bell is an outstanding person and was a great leader at the University of Alabama,” former Alabama football coach Nick Saban said in the release. “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!” 

Bell earned his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering and his bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering from Texas A&M University. He was inducted into the State of Alabama Engineering Hall of Fame in 2023. 

Before his stint at Alabama, Bell served as provost and professor of engineering at Louisiana State University (LSU) and as dean of the School of Engineering and professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Kansas. He has been elected to membership in the Society of Automotive Engineers, the National Society of Professional Engineers and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).  

Bell’s leadership experience also includes a term serving as president of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) from 2023-2025 and on its Executive Committee from 2021-2025. In these positions, the release said Bell worked with all SEC schools, the conference commissioner, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and legislators in Washington, D.C., “to address critical issues facing collegiate athletics nationwide.” 

Additionally, Bell serves, or has served, on the Board of Directors for the Center for Science Education at Kansas, the Executive Committee for Academic Affairs of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU), as well as chairman of the Academic Advisory Council for the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Center for Remote Sensing of Ice Sheets (CReSIS) based at Kansas and a trustee of the ASME Foundation.  

As required by Florida law, the presidential search committee was responsible for creating the search criteria, seeking and vetting a broad pool of qualified candidates and recommending finalists to the Board of Trustees.  

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

The presidential search committee’s recommendation is subject to approval by the Board of Trustees and confirmation by the Florida Board of Governors. UF’s last presidential nominee – Dr. Santa Ono – was rejected by the Board of Governors in a 10-6 vote in June 2025.  

Hosseini said he “fully supports” the presidential search committee’s unanimous recommendation of Bell. 

“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,” Hosseini said in the release. “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.” 

Donald Landry has served as UF’s interim president since September 2025. He succeeded Kent Fuchs, who had been serving in an interim capacity following former UF President Ben Sasse’s resignation in July 2024.   

Before his appointment, Landry served as a professor at Columbia University.  

Hosseini thanked Landry for serving as UF’s interim president during the 2025-26 academic year while on extended leave from Columbia University.  

Landry also expressed his gratitude to Hosseini and the Board of Trustees. 

“I want to thank Chair Hosseini and the Board of Trustees for the opportunity to work with a board truly dedicated to its university,” Landry said in the release. “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.” 

The Board of Trustees isn’t scheduled to hold another meeting until Thursday, June 11. An agenda for that two-day meeting has not been released yet. 

Nick Anschultz is a Report for America corps member and writes about education for Mainstreet Daily News. This position is supported by local donations through the Community Catalyst for Local Journalism Fund at the Community Foundation of North Central Florida.