TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (WIAT) -- After nearly a decade of leading the University of Alabama, Stuart Bell will be leaving office this summer.
Bell, who first became the UA president in 2015, announced Wednesday that he would leave the university sometime this summer. He is the 28th president to serve the University of Alabama and, outside of former presidents George Hutcheson Denny and Frank Anthony Rose, one of its longest serving.
“It has truly been an honor to serve and represent The University of Alabama as president over the last 10 years,” Bell said in a statement. “I 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 followed former UA President Judith Bonner after leadership stints at LSU and the University of Kansas, as well as serving 16 years on the faculty at UA, including chair of the mechanical engineering department.
Bell's tenure at the UA includes the university reaching a record-setting 40,800 students last fall and a $1.8 billion endowment.
“President Bell’s visionary leadership over the past decade has been nothing short of extraordinary for The University of Alabama, and the future is bright thanks to his contributions,” UA System Interim Chancellor Sid J. Trant said in a statement. “Dr. 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’s success and ensure a seamless transition.”
While not detailing his future plans, Bell said he would be open to returning to teaching at the UA.
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