Florida Names Stuart Bell Sole Finalist for 14th President After Unanimous Committee Vote
Updated
Updated · University of Florida · May 18
Florida Names Stuart Bell Sole Finalist for 14th President After Unanimous Committee Vote
15 articles · Updated · University of Florida · May 18
University of Florida’s presidential search committee unanimously advanced Stuart R. Bell as the sole finalist to become the school’s 14th president, sending his candidacy to the Board of Trustees and then the state Board of Governors.
Bell arrives after 10 years as University of Alabama president, where UF officials said he lifted rankings, enrollment, retention and facilities while the school achieved R1 research status.
His résumé also includes serving as SEC president from 2023 to 2025, experience UF leaders highlighted as valuable for navigating higher education and college athletics.
Donald Landry, UF’s interim president for the 2025-26 academic year, is set to return to Columbia University as Bell says he will push UF toward a top-three public-university standing.
After a decade of stability at Alabama, can Dr. Bell navigate the recent leadership turmoil at the University of Florida?
Can a multi-million dollar salary for a university president actually help restore public trust in higher education?