Yesterday, current University executive vice president and provost Stuart Bell became the sole, official nomination for a position of chancellor at the University of Alabama.
Bell was recommended by Robert Witt, the chancellor of the University of Alabama from 2003 to when he was appointed as chancellor of the University of Alabama System in 2012.
Since his appointment as LSU’s provost in 2012, Bell has been involved in multiple changes on campus.
“From a facility standpoint, there has been so much that the university has been able to accomplish,” Bell said, “opening up the bookstore, opening up the Geaux Center, the new annex for the chemistry building, breaking ground on the new engineering facility, opening up the new business complex.”
If appointed as chancellor of UA, Bell will succeed current chancellor Judy Bonner. Bonner was appointed as the 28th president of UA after serving as vice president and provost since 2003.
At the Board of Trustees meeting on June 18, the 24 members will decide on whether to elect Provost Bell as the 29th president. If appointed, it’ll be a tough transition for Bell to leave Louisiana.
“We’ve got great friends here and have alumni and faculty and staff and students that are pretty special to us. We’re excited about the opportunity but it’s bittersweet for us, we have really loved it here.”
But the people aren’t the only part of Louisiana Bell will miss.
“The people, and then right behind that is the food.”