Stuart Bell has been named the University’s new executive vice chancellor and provost after a search that spanned two semesters.
A University news release on Thursday announced that Bell, the dean of the School of Engineering at the University of Kansas, would occupy the position following current Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Jack Hamilton’s two-year appointment.
Hamilton’s stint was plagued by budget crises and a lack of faculty salary increases, and the situation may not prove better for Bell. If Gov. Bobby Jindal’s current budget plans go through, LSU will face a hole, according to Hamilton.
“We’d like to thank Jack Hamilton for his commitment to the university and his leadership as provost over the past two years,” Chancellor Michael Martin said in the release. “His hard work and dedication have been vital during these tough economic times.”
The new provost begins his tenure Aug. 1, pending approval from the Board of Supervisors.
“We are pleased to welcome Stuart Bell to LSU and feel that his vision and experience will continue the momentum of maintaining the academic standards, quality education and research that Louisiana has come to expect from its Flagship University,” Martin said.
Bell emerged from a pool of more than 100 candidates from across the country compiled by the Greenwood/Asher search firm. He was announced as one of four finalists in March, among two other deans from out of the state and the lone internal candidate, Dean Kevin Carman from the College of Science.
“The LSU faculty, staff, students and alumni that I have had the opportunity to meet have been just exceptional,” Bell said in the release. “I am looking forward to working with them and the entire community, leading the University forward, meeting the challenges that are before us and toward the achievements that await us.”
Some of Bell’s higher education experience comes the University of Alabama, where he worked for 16 years.
“I want to congratulate Stuart on his selection and thank him for the progress the School of Engineering made under his leadership,” University of Kansas Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little said in a news release.
Bell will remain in his position at Kansas through July.
His contributions to Kansas’ School of Engineering included building new facilities, and he played a part in securing millions of dollars for the school’s endowments.
He also led the school’s Building on Excellence initiative, a $500 million plan that stimulated the engineering department.
When Bell spoke to the campus community during a visit in March, he recognized the University’s financial struggle as a problem that extends across the nation, including Kansas.
He said an important effort the University needs to make is securing more respect among state lawmakers.
Bell also emphasized engaging students who are part of an “incredibly connected” generation.
Despite acknowledging the University’s struggles, he showed optimism for the future.
“We have to make sure to move forward and in the most positive fashion,” Bell said.
His educational background includes a nuclear engineering degree and master’s and doctoral degrees in mechanical engineering from Texas A&M University.
 
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Contact Brian Sibille at [email protected]