“The University of Alabama is one of the nation’s preeminent flagship universities and provides premier and dynamic educational experiences that equip all students for success on campus and beyond, making the University uniquely positioned to attract an exceptional leader who will further its legacy of excellence,” said UA System Board of Trustees President Pro Tempore Scott Phelps. “As we embark on this important search, I want to express my gratitude to the presidential search advisory committee for their dedication and willingness to serve.”

The UA Presidential Search Advisory Committee members represent UA faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community members, as well as the Board of Trustees and UA System leadership. Karen P. Brooks – a Tuscaloosa native and member of the Board of Trustees – will serve as chair.

All members of the UA community will be invited to share feedback and comments on characteristics, qualifications and credentials they believe are essential for the next president, and interested parties can stay informed about the progress of the search by visiting the UA Presidential Search website.

Academic Search consultants Ann Die Hasselmo and Christopher N. Butler will support the UA Presidential Search Advisory Committee. With over four decades of experience in higher education recruitment and more than 2,600 successful searches completed, Academic Search is renowned for its expertise in identifying exceptional leaders. The consultants have partnered with UA on several successful searches, including the hiring of former president Dr. Robert E. Witt and the hiring of current president Dr. Stuart R. Bell.

Upon the completion of the search, Interim Chancellor Sid J. Trant will recommend a final presidential candidate to the UA System Board of Trustees for approval.

UA Presidential Search Advisory Committee Chair

• Karen P. Brooks, Board of Trustees

UA Presidential Search Advisory Committee Members

• William S. Brewbaker III, Dean and Professor, The University of Alabama School of Law
• Mike Brock, Board of Trustees
• Samad Gillani, President, UA Student Government Association
• Matthew Hudnall, President, UA Faculty Senate; Associate Professor, Culverhouse College of Business
• Barbara Humphrey, Board of Trustees
• Dr. Tonjanita Johnson, Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic and Students Affairs, Ď㽶ĘÓƵAPP
• Dr. James King, Jr., Associate Dean for Culture and Success and Miles-Rose Professor of Leadership, Culverhouse College of Business
• Shane Lyons, Executive Deputy Director of Athletics/Chief Operating Officer
• Evelyn VanSant Mauldin, Board of Trustees
• Dr. Matt McLendon, Associate Vice President and Executive Director for Enrollment Management
• Sid J. Trant, Interim Chancellor, Ď㽶ĘÓƵAPP
• Jimmy Warren, Associate Vice President for Alumni Affairs and Executive Director of the National Alumni Association
• Jackie Wuska Wear, Alumna; President and CEO, United Way of West Alabama

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.

“It has truly been an honor to serve and represent The University of Alabama as president over the last 10 years,” Bell said. “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 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 Ď㽶ĘÓƵAPP 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’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 J. Trant. “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.”

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’s 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’s population growth, up 7.9% among first-time undergraduates. First 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’s 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’s economic impact on the State of Alabama 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’s 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’s 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’s first appearances in the men’s 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.

“Stuart Bell has provided a decade of exceptional service to The University of Alabama where his steady leadership has proved valuable in managing the myriad challenges present in modern day higher education,” said SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey. “The lives he touched through his passion for the advancement of the Alabama 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.”

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 “Where Legends Are Made” 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’s first in-person commencements in August 2020.

LEADERSHIP, SERVICE AND RECOGNITION

While the UA campus witnessed unprecedented success, Bell’s personal accomplishments and commitment to service continued to earn recognition. Currently serving as president of the SEC, he was inducted into the State of Alabama 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’s 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 University of Alabama 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 University of Alabama 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’s next president and will retain an executive search firm to support the Search Advisory Committee, which will soon be appointed and announced.

Dedication of Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium to take place on September 7.

*Please note, images are conceptual renderings*

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The University of Alabama will formally recognize seven-time national champion head football coach Nick Saban by naming the field inside Bryant-Denny Stadium in his honor. The Honorary Degrees and Recognition Committee of the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees unanimously passed a resolution on July 19 approving the naming honor, and the Board of Trustees will formally adopt the resolution and present it to Saban at its September meeting.

The dedication of Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium will take place on Saturday, September 7 at halftime of the Crimson Tide’s football game versus South Florida.

“We are humbled that The University of Alabama has honored us with the naming of Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium,” said Saban. “The remarkable success that the football program has achieved over the past 17 years is a reflection of the hard work of many student-athletes, coaches and staff. Being leader of the process at Alabama has been the greatest privilege of my life. Terry and I are grateful for the naming of Saban Field, which forever celebrates our accomplishments.”

Saban coached for 28 years at the collegiate level and won six of his seven national championships at Alabama (2009, 2011-12, 2015, 2017 and 2020). He compiled a 297-71-1 (.806) collegiate coaching record, including a 206-29 (.877) mark in Tuscaloosa. Saban’s teams won a combined 11 SEC titles, nine of which came with the Crimson Tide.

“Dedicating the field at Bryant-Denny Stadium as Saban Field is a fitting way to honor Coach Saban’s extraordinary contributions to The University of Alabama,” said UA President Stuart R. Bell. “Coach Saban and Ms. Terry have significantly enriched our community, and this recognition celebrates their lasting legacy. We are grateful to the Board of Trustees for bestowing this great honor.”

In his six national championship seasons at Alabama, Saban’s teams went 21-2 against top-10 opponents, and, since 2008, the Crimson Tide was 37-15 overall against top-10 teams. Alabama was also ranked No. 1 in the Associated Press Poll for at least one week for 15 straight years (2008-22), which broke the record of seven established by Miami (1986-92).

“We are thrilled to honor Coach Saban with the naming of Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium,” said Alabama Director of Athletics Greg Byrne. “He is one of the greatest coaches of all time, impacting countless lives far beyond football. What he and Ms. Terry mean to The University of Alabama and Tuscaloosa community is immeasurable. They continue to be tremendous ambassadors, and we look forward to celebrating with them in September.”

Saban coached four Heisman Trophy winners, joining Notre Dame’s Frank Leahy for the most in college football history. He is the only coach to ever have Heisman Trophy winners at three different positions (RB, WR, QB). Additionally, Crimson Tide players secured 60 national individual awards.

Under his watch, 66 All-America honors were won by 58 different individuals from 2008-2023. Eight players were named two-time All-Americans along with 46 consensus honors and 25 unanimous selections. Will Anderson Jr. became the first two-time unanimous All-American in Alabama history.

Saban’s success also translated to NFL success for his players with a record 49 players chosen in the first round of the draft (44 at Alabama). His Alabama players have been paid over $2 billion over the last 16 NFL seasons.

Off the field, Alabama football saw a total of 656 degrees earned, including 103 master’s degrees.

Through the Nick’s Kids Foundation over $13 million has been distributed to students, teachers and children’s causes at over 150 charities since the Sabans’ arrival in Tuscaloosa. Also, 21 homes have been built in the community through Habitat for Humanity.

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Ď㽶ĘÓƵAPP Board of Trustees formally adopted the resolution honoring legendary University of Alabama head football coach Nick Saban and his wife, Terry, with the naming of Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium at its meeting on Sept. 5, 2024. A framed copy of the resolution was presented to the Sabans during the meeting.

UA to consider new public policy institute after historic donation

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) will donate his official Senate papers, records and materials to The University of Alabama at the conclusion of his sixth U.S. Senate term, UA System Chancellor Finis St. John announced today at the UA Institutional meeting of the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees. This donation will provide the University with the opportunity to house one-of-a-kind historical records.

“I am honored to donate my official papers, records, and materials to The University of Alabama once my season in Congress comes to an end,” stated Senator Shelby. “I have been extremely fortunate to serve the people of Alabama for more than forty years and cannot think of a more appropriate place to house my official papers than my Alma Mater. I hope that these materials will facilitate academic research for scholars and students of law, history, policy, political science, and other fields, as I believe one of the most important investments we make is in our classrooms. Thank you to The University of Alabama for this gracious effort.”

Upon receipt, the University will organize and archive the materials gathered over Senator Shelby’s decades of tenure for research and academic purposes and for the benefit of future leaders.

“Senator Shelby has long provided unparalleled support to entities across the University of Alabama System, and it is impossible to overstate the great historical significance and lasting impact this donation will have on The University of Alabama,” said Chancellor St. John. “We are grateful for Senator Shelby’s service to our state and for his decision to entrust us with his official materials. His legacy will be felt for generations to come.”

The receipt of Senator Shelby’s papers will be a catalyst for The University of Alabama to consider the creation of a new institute and new academic, leadership and scholarly research programs that would provide students, faculty, and staff with opportunities to engage with prominent politicians and policy professionals, pending approval of the UA System Board of Trustees.

“The University of Alabama has long attracted and educated leaders for our state and nation,” said UA President Stuart Bell. “With these materials, Senator Shelby will once again pave the way for the next generation of public servants. Provost Jim Dalton and I look forward to working with our faculty and students to develop the leading program of its kind, as the University continues its mission to drive the advancement of this state.”

A fifth-generation Alabamian and a graduate of The University of Alabama’s undergraduate and law programs, Senator Shelby was first elected to the United States Senate in 1986 and is currently in his sixth and final term. He is Alabama’s longest-serving U.S. Senator and has chaired four Senate committees – Appropriations, Rules, Banking, and Intelligence. Prior to his election to the U.S. Senate, Senator Shelby served four terms in the U.S. House of Representatives and eight years in the Alabama legislature.

“As a longtime champion for research and education, it’s hard to imagine anyone who has made more of an impact on Alabama’s higher-ed landscape than Senator Shelby,” said UA System Board of Trustees President Pro Tempore W. Stancil Starnes. “On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we express our deepest gratitude to this true public servant for his generous gesture, which will greatly benefit countless scholars at The University of Alabama.”

Senator Shelby lives in Tuscaloosa with his wife, Dr. Annette N. Shelby. Dr. Shelby, a former UA professor who has dedicated her distinguished career to academics and public service, holds graduate and undergraduate degrees from The University of Alabama.

Ď㽶ĘÓƵAPP the UA System

Committed to excellence in teaching, research, and service, the University of Alabama System includes three doctoral research institutions – UA, UAB, and UAH – and the UAB Health System, a world-class academic medical center. The UA System educates more Alabamians than any other university system and provides transformational research in areas ranging from aerospace to biomedicine to transportation. As the largest employer in the state, the overall economic impact of the University of Alabama System exceeds $10 billion a year.