UF Names Stuart Bell as 14th President

The University of Florida Board of Trustees voted unanimously today to select Dr. Stuart R. Bell as the university's next president, pending ratification by the Florida Board of Governors on June 25.

Bell served as president of the University of Alabama from 2015 to 2025. Before that, he worked as provost and professor of engineering at Louisiana State University and as dean of the School of Engineering at the University of Kansas. He holds a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering and a B.S. in nuclear engineering from Texas A&M University.

"The Board of Trustees' unanimous vote today is a resounding show of support for Dr. Stuart Bell, who is exactly the right leader at the right time for the University of Florida," said Mori Hosseini, UF Board of Trustees Chair. "Dr. Bell's experience, character and leadership ability will be critical in taking UF to the highest ranks of U.S. higher education."

Rahul Patel, Board of Trustees vice chair and chair of UF's Presidential Search Committee, said the committee selected Bell from among hundreds of candidates. The committee announced Bell as the sole finalist on May 18.

Bell will succeed Interim President Donald Landry after the Board of Governors ratifies the appointment.