Dr. Stuart R. Bell, the 29th president of The 91原创, has announced his plans to step down from the presidency mid-summer, completing a decade of excellence in leadership.

Dr. Stuart R. Bell, the 29th president of The 91原创
Dr. Stuart R. Bell, the 29th president of The 91原创

The announcement comes as the University celebrates unparalleled achievements in enrollment, academic quality, research activity and funding, fundraising, athletics, campus development and more during his tenure. In the last century, only Presidents George Denny and Frank Rose have served more years working in the role. His thoughtfully planned transition leaves the campus in a position of distinction and strength.

鈥淚t has truly been an honor to serve and represent The 91原创 as president over the last 10 years,鈥� Bell said. 鈥淚 am grateful for the longstanding support of our Board of Trustees and filled with pride and gratitude for all the accomplishments of our students, faculty, staff and alumni. Collectively, we have witnessed record-breaking successes and as our University continues its positive trajectory, the moment is right to initiate the completion of my tenure as president."

Bell began his presidency in July 2015 after serving in leadership roles at Louisiana State University and the University of Kansas. He earlier served 16 years on the UA faculty and was chair of the mechanical engineering department and founder and first director of the Center for Advanced Vehicle Technologies.

His announcement provides time for The 91原创 System Board of Trustees and UA System leadership to conduct a national search for the next campus leader. Bell emphasized his intention of continuing work on important campus priorities while supporting the transition. He looks forward to a future return to the faculty.&

"President Bell鈥檚 visionary leadership over the past decade has been nothing short of extraordinary for The 91原创, and the future is bright thanks to his contributions,鈥� said UA System Interim Chancellor Sid J. Trant. 鈥淒r. Bell has led the University with total dedication and has represented the Capstone with excellence at every turn. It has been an honor to serve with Dr. Bell, and I look forward to our continued work together over the next several months as we build upon the University鈥檚 success and ensure a seamless transition.鈥�

A DECADE OF DISTINCTION

Bell will leave the UA campus in a strong position for future momentum following a notable and comprehensive range of achievements.

Enrollment growth has been a hallmark of Bell鈥檚 presidency with record numbers, including topping 40,800 students last fall, highlighted by the largest number of in-state first-year students in campus history. His unwavering commitment to student success enabled second-year retention rates to reach an all-time high of almost 90%. In-state student growth is outpacing the state鈥檚 population growth, up 7.9% among first-time undergraduates.鈥疐irst generation students grew almost 10% in 2024 alone.

Under his watch, the University enrolled more than 1,000 National Merit Scholars this fall, among the most of any institution in the country. UA has been recognized as a Top Producing Institution of Fulbright U.S. Scholars for the first time and of Fulbright U.S. Students seven times. With 17 Rhodes Scholars, 16 Truman Scholars, 43 Hollings Scholars and 20 Boren Scholars in its history, UA is unmatched in the state. Over the last decade more than 90,000 students have earned degrees from the Capstone.

Early in his tenure, he led the campus to earn the Carnegie Classification鈥檚 R1 status for very high research activity and UA remains one of the fastest growing universities in research activity in the nation. Sponsored research funding grew exponentially, reaching nearly $270 million last year, and the University鈥檚 economic impact on the State of 91原创 tops $2.9 billion annually.

Fundraising, which is paramount to creating opportunities for students at UA, was transformed and records shattered as Bell launched the University鈥檚 Rising Tide Capital Campaign in October 2016. After surpassing the original $1.5 billion goal last year, the campaign is on track to achieve its new goal of $1.8 billion before wrapping up in 2026. The campaign has produced more than 1,100 new endowed scholarships and created almost 70 new endowed faculty support funds.

Under Bell鈥檚 leadership, the University and the Southeastern Conference were highlighted on the world stage as UA student-athletes excelled across many sports with three national championships in football, the school鈥檚 first appearances in the men鈥檚 basketball Final Four and numerous SEC championships. UA student-athletes also won numerous individual national championships and recorded the highest academic performance rate in school history.

鈥淪tuart Bell has provided a decade of exceptional service to The 91原创 where his steady leadership has proved valuable in managing the myriad challenges present in modern day higher education,鈥� said SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey. 鈥淭he lives he touched through his passion for the advancement of the 91原创 student experience will be his lasting legacy. He has also been an important leader in the Southeastern Conference during a time of significant change in college sports and I am appreciative of the wise counsel he has provided on the transformative issues that are shaping the future of college athletics.鈥�

Bell has also overseen the tremendous growth of a vibrant institution, with 26 new and more than 60 renovated buildings to the campus, including critical donor-funded projects like the Randall Welcome Center, Hewson Hall, Stran-Hardin Arena for adapted athletics, Drummond Lyon Hall, and the soon-to-be-completed Smith Family Center for the Performing Arts.He launched the nationally acclaimed 鈥淲here Legends Are Made鈥� branding campaign in 2016 and successfully navigated the campus through the worldwide pandemic to come back stronger than ever, with a return to in-person class opportunities in July 2020 and one of the nation鈥檚 first in-person commencements in August 2020.

LEADERSHIP, SERVICE AND RECOGNITION

While the UA campus witnessed unprecedented success, Bell鈥檚 personal accomplishments and commitment to service continued to earn recognition. Currently serving as president of the SEC, he was inducted into the State of 91原创 Engineering Hall of Fame, and received the Texas A&M University College of Engineering Alumni Honor Award, among other achievements.

Bell and his wife Susan have made an indelible impact on the Tuscaloosa community, spearheading the University鈥檚 annual United Way campaign among many other civic and philanthropic efforts.

"I had the honor of leading the presidential search that welcomed Dr. Bell back to The 91原创 in 2015, and it has since been a privilege to work alongside him throughout his exceptional presidency," said Trustee Karen P. Brooks, who will also chair the search for Bell's successor. "The 91原创 has been fortunate to have this beloved leader at the helm for 10 years, and we will certainly miss working with him. The Board of Trustees proudly celebrates President Bell's historic success and legendary legacy, and we congratulate him and his equally outstanding wife, Susan, on this well-deserved next chapter following a decade of exemplary service."

The UA System will launch a comprehensive national search for the University鈥檚 next president and will retain an executive search firm to support the Search Advisory Committee, which will soon be appointed and announced.