University of Alabama president to retire

Stuart Bell is leaving the post in July

Dr. Stuart Bell, president of the University of Alabama, has announced his retirement.

Dr. Stuart Bell has announced his retirement as president of the University of Alabama. Bell, who has served in that role since July 2015, plans to leave in July.

“It has truly been an honor to serve and represent the University of Alabama as president over the last 10 years,” said Bell. “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.”

The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees and leadership will launch a national search for the next president.

“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,” said UA System Interim Chancellor Sid Trant.

In the last century, only former presidents George Denny and Frank Rose have served longer in the role at the University of Alabama than Bell. During Bell’s tenure, the university student body has continued to grow, topping 40,800 students last fall, including the largest number of in-state first-year students in campus history.

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Under his watch, the university has 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, the university is unmatched in the state.  

UA remains one of the fastest growing universities in research activity in the nation and holds the Carnegie Classification’s R1 status.

With student growth and research comes the need for fundraising. Bell launched the university’s Rising Tide Capital Campaign in 2016. After surpassing the original $1.5 billion goal last year, the campaign is on track to hit 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.

The university has also excelled in sports, with three national football championships, the school’s first appearances in the men’s basketball Final Four and numerous SEC championships.

Bell and his wife, Susan, have impacted the Tuscaloosa community, as well, spearheading the university’s annual United Way campaign and many other civic and philanthropic efforts.

“I had the honor of leading the presidential search that welcomed Dr. Bell back to the University of Alabama in 2015, and it has since been a privilege to work alongside him throughout his exceptional presidency,” said Trustee Karen Brooks, who will lead the search for Bell’s successor.

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