News Summary
Birmingham, AL – Peter Mohler has been named the 30th president of the University of Alabama, beginning his tenure on July 21, 2025. Mohler succeeds Stuart Bell, who has served since 2015. The appointment was made unanimously by the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees, as the institution navigates changes in collegiate athletics. With a strong background in academic leadership and research, Mohler aims to enhance the university’s academic and athletic achievements during a transformative period.
Birmingham, AL – Peter Mohler has been appointed as the 30th president of the University of Alabama, officially taking on the role starting July 21, 2025. He will succeed Stuart Bell, who has been president since July 2015.
The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees made this decision after a unanimous vote, marking a significant change in leadership as the university transitions into an evolving landscape in collegiate athletics.
Prior to this appointment, Mohler served as the executive vice president for research, innovation, and knowledge at Ohio State University (OSU) and held a prominent role as the chief scientific officer at OSU’s Wexner Medical Center. He has an extensive background at OSU, where he spent over 11 years and even stepped in as acting president in 2023.
In his initial statements, Mohler referred to his new presidency as the “opportunity of a lifetime” and offered a nod to the university’s celebrated football culture by noting that there are “75 days until kickoff,” expressing his enthusiasm with “Roll Tide.”
Mohler’s leadership is widely anticipated to be pivotal during a transformative time for collegiate athletics. This follows the House vs. NCAA settlement, which enables schools to financially compensate athletes for utilizing their name, image, and likeness as of July 1, 2021. Such changes are expected to influence recruiting and the university’s competitive edge in athletics.
Chancellor Sid Trant commended Mohler for his proven track record of setting and achieving ambitious goals during the recommendation process, underscoring the belief in his capabilities to foster growth and innovation at Alabama.
While at Ohio State, Mohler oversaw a substantial budget of approximately $10 billion and was responsible for directing a successful NCAA Division I athletics program. His tenure is marked by significant growth in national research rankings, with an impressive increase of around $600 million annually in research expenditures. Moreover, he facilitated the attainment of more than $100 million in gifts for OSU and was instrumental in developing a new innovation district designed for collaboration across various sectors.
Academically, Mohler holds a PhD in cell and molecular biology from the University of North Carolina and has held teaching roles at the University of Iowa and Vanderbilt University. He is recognized for publishing over 275 research studies, particularly focusing on heart arrhythmia in children. His expertise has earned him multiple accolades, including recognition as a Pew Scholar and an Outstanding Investigator by the American Heart Association.
Greg Byrne, the athletics director at Alabama, expressed excitement regarding Mohler’s leadership capabilities and the positive impact expected for university athletics. The committee responsible for selecting the new president emphasized the need for a leader who can adeptly navigate the shifting competitive landscape in college sports.
Under Stuart Bell’s presidency, the University of Alabama achieved remarkable success, including winning three national championships in football (2015, 2017, 2020) and 21 individual national championships across various sports. The transition to Mohler’s presidency comes with the aim of maintaining this tradition of excellence in both academics and athletics.
As Mohler prepares to take on his new role, the university community looks forward to his vision and leadership as they embark on this exciting new chapter.
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Additional Resources
- Tuscaloosa News: University of Alabama Names Peter Mohler as School’s 30th President
- Wikipedia: Peter Mohler
- Dispatch: Ohio State Peter Mohler Named New President University of Alabama
- Google Search: Peter Mohler
- Sports Illustrated: Peter Mohler to Succeed Stuart Bell as Alabama President
- Encyclopedia Britannica: University of Alabama
- The Star: Peter Mohler Named New University of Alabama President
- Google News: University of Alabama President
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