The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees today officially named Peter Mohler, PhD, former Interim President of Ohio State University, as the 30th President of the University of Alabama, following the announced retirement of longtime President Dr. Stuart R. Bell, who will step down this July after a decade of leadership.

Dr. Bell, who became the 29th president in 2015, has led the Capstone through a period of historic growth. During his tenure, enrollment soared past 40,800 students, record-setting student success metrics were achieved, and fundraising efforts — most notably the Rising Tide campaign — surpassed $1.5 billion. Campus infrastructure expanded significantly, and UA climbed in academic research rankings, earning and maintaining its R1 status.

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The board’s recommendation was brought by Chancellor Sid Trant, who described Mohler as a “transformative leader” capable of guiding the university to even greater heights.

“His presidency was marked by steady values-driven leadership of a university with a $10 billion budget, as he oversaw the complexity of a large and, as you know, a successful NCAA Division 1 athletics program, he strengthened relationships with government and industry leaders and spearheaded major philanthropic efforts,” Trant said.

“During his presidency, he led 15 academic colleges, colleges and programs serving over 65,000 students, while advancing key initiatives in enrollment growth, academic excellence and campus safety, among others.”

Shortly after, Trant’s recommendation was motioned, seconded, and approved unanimously by a full vote of the Board.

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The appointment, effective July 21, 2025, was met with enthusiasm by the trustees

UA System Board of Trustees Secretary Karen Brooks detailed the rigorous selection process, which privileged community input that clearly favored qualities exhibited by outgoing president Dr. Bell: leadership at a top research institution, commitment to student success, impeccable character, and capability in overseeing a major athletic program.

“Serving on this committee was a significant commitment, but I know we all agreed that the process yielded an outstanding and most exciting outcome. Thank you again to all who helped make this search such a successful one,” Brooks said.

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Previously, Mohler served as Executive Vice President for Research, Innovation and Knowledge at Ohio State, where he led its research enterprise and acted as Chief Scientific Officer for the Wexner Medical Center. He also served as Acting President of Ohio State in 2023 during its executive transition.

A nationally recognized cardiovascular researcher with over 250 peer-reviewed publications — including in Nature, Cell, and Nature Medicine — Mohler has earned prestigious awards such as the Pew Scholar designation and an NIH Outstanding Investigator award. He holds a PhD from UNC–Chapel Hill and completed a fellowship with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute at Duke University.

“75 days till kick off,” Mohler began his first official remarks as UA President. “Roll Tide.”

Mohler expressed deep gratitude to the trustees, Chancellor Sid Trant, and the search committee for their careful consideration and trust. He also acknowledged outgoing President Stuart Bell for his leadership, praising Bell’s accomplishments and describing them as essential groundwork for continued success at UA.

He also reflected on the values instilled by his upbringing in Grand Junction, Colorado — loyalty, integrity, hard work, and community — and credited his wife, Nancy, and their three children, Eleanor, Caroline, and John, for their support. He noted Nancy’s particular excitement to return to the South, adding that she has missed sweet tea.

“To the faculty, staff, students, alumni and supporters of the University of Alabama, I cannot wait to meet you, listen to you and learn from you. I’m excited by the talented leadership team in place here, and honored to join you in the work ahead together. Together, we have the opportunity to build upon a legacy of excellence and shape the next era of impact at UA,” President Mohler said.

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“From my days in the lab, working to unlock the genetic basis of cardiac arrhythmia in children athletes, my time in the classroom to my leadership roles in higher education, the heart of my work has always been about one thing: bringing people together to create impact, building strong interdisciplinary teams with a common purpose and a deep focus on outcomes that matter is my true north. I believe deeply in partnering with faculty, staff and students, by locking arms together with shared vision and determination.”

“That’s when universities show their true power. What drew me here was not just University of Alabama’s impressive reputation for academic and athletic excellence as a student centered University,” he said.

“The University of Alabama is distinctly positioned to ascend as the nation’s premier public flagship university, the future at the capstone is incredibly bright, and I can’t wait to get started,” Mohler concluded.

“Thank you and Roll Tide.”