From engines to education, Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Stuart Bell likes to build things.

The 55-year-old keeps engine pistons on top of his bookcase and extensive engineering degrees on his walls.

Like his counterpart, Interim System President and Chancellor William “Bill” Jenkins, Bell did not intend to become an administrator.

Growing up in Abilene, Texas, Bell discovered an early interest in science.

“I just had really great science teachers,” he said, crediting a few teachers for spurring his interest.

He applied his curiosity and built projects out of Popular Science, a monthly magazine about science and technology. He built a go-kart, among other small vehicles.

In high school, Bell developed an interest in nuclear physics after a teacher asked him to do extra work in the field — a field he would eventually pursue in attaining a degree in nuclear engineering from Texas A&M University.

After college, Bell worked for ExxonMobil, designing oil platforms in the Gulf of Mexico, but after some time, he desired to get back to higher education, and acquired a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Texas A&M University.

“I wanted to get back on a campus,” he said. “I just really love learning.”

In 1986, he began teaching and researching at the University of Alabama’s Department of Mechanical Engineering.

Nine years later, he was approached with the opportunity to serve as the head of the department. He said it was a tough decision, but he accepted it.

In 2002, Bell accepted an offer to be the dean of the University of Kansas School of Engineering, a position that also required him to be the chief academic officer and administrator for the school, similar to his current position at LSU.

In Kansas, Bell utilized his love for building in a different way. His tenure there was highlighted by achievements in working with the Kansas legislature to acquire funding for new research programs and buildings and increasing engineering programs throughout the state.

In April, the University offered Bell the executive vice chancellor and provost position, from which Jack Hamilton was stepping down.

Though he has only been in Baton Rouge for a week, Bell said he’s already in the grind, working early in the morning until late in the afternoon and having little free time.

Since he started, he has been working about 10 hours a day, said Susan, his wife of 31 years.

Bell said he’s busy settling in so he can start “facilitating and trying to help others” find the best ways to optimize student and faculty achievement.

He added that his plan during his time here is to not only benefit the University, but the state as a whole.

“If you look at what makes Louisiana great, it’s people,” he said. “What we do is one of the most important things for the state of Louisiana.”

Though Bell acknowledges he misses the student interaction he had as a professor, his wife said he enjoys helping students succeed.

“He enjoys watching them go out and be successful in the state,” she said.

Bell said he often walks around campus and chats with students to “see what they’re doing and where they’re going.”

“I can see if they’re making progress,” he said. “Then I can determine what I need to work on … then I can go out and brag to donors. I can talk about what students are doing, their aspirations … and why they need to be supported.”

When the time is right, Bell said he plans to buy a house, attend more University events and get back to the activities he enjoyed in Kansas.

Bell is particularly excited about football season and said he will root for the Tigers despite his Aggie blood and the Roll Tide allegiance.

“From my perspective, it’s all about the students,” he said. “They’re students first and athletes second. I’m their fan.”

Bell also enjoys water skiing on his 22-foot boat with his two sons and daughter, his wife said.

If they can find a good lake around Baton Rouge, Bell will bring the boat to the Red Stick.

He also recently got into backpacking and camping with his sons, she added.

And when he finds time to eat in his booked schedule, Bell will continue to devour Louisiana cuisine.

“Stuart particularly enjoys The Chimes,” his wife said, citing the seafood po’ boys as a favorite.

Until then, Bell said he will keep working on making his new home a better place.

“I’ve got a lot more listening to do. LSU is a great university. It’s got lots of moving parts so we’ll have something to work with.”

This is the second in a two-part profile of the University’s newest leaders.