Introduction to the New Interim President
The University of Florida’s board of trustees voted unanimously Monday to pick a medical doctor and researcher from Columbia University to be the institution’s interim president. UF has been without a permanent president since Ben Sasse abruptly resigned his post more than a year ago. Its attempt to hire the University of Michigan’s former president, Santa Ono, ended in failure when conservative leaders — in Florida and nationwide — denounced the choice and Florida’s higher education board then voted down Ono in June.
Background of the New Interim President
With little fanfare, Donald Landry was tapped for an interim role that starts next week. He is currently the director of the clinical pharmacology and experimental therapeutics division and the nephrology division at Columbia’s College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City. “Dr. Landry is a highly accomplished scientist whose work is recognized around the world,” said Mori Hosseini, chair of the UF board, in a statement. “He has shown exceptional leadership in academia and beyond, building programs with innovation, energy and integrity. I am confident that Dr. Landry will bring those same talents to the University of Florida in service to the students, faculty and people of the great state of Florida.”
Reaction to the New Interim President
A search for a permanent leader is expected to start soon, although no details were discussed at Monday’s meeting. UF’s last presidential search took about a year. It’s unclear whether Landry will be a candidate. Landry attended Monday’s meeting in Gainesville and answered questions from the board. “I hope to make more than small changes. But the smallest change that’s made will be done in close collaboration with the board and for the greatest good,” he said following his selection. In a statement, Landry said he was honored to serve the Florida university. “UF has made remarkable strides over the past 10 years and is now recognized as one of the top public universities in the country, and I look forward to working with its remarkable faculty, staff and students to continue building on that momentum,” he said.
Previous Presidential Search
Landry replaces Kent Fuchs who was asked to be interim president after Sasse stepped down. Fuchs previously served as UF’s president for eight years, and his interim contract expires on Sept. 1. At a Faculty Senate meeting in August, Fuchs said that the “developments of the past few months” made the search for a new UF president “more challenging,” according to the Tampa Bay Times. When Florida’s Board of Governors, which oversees the state’s colleges and universities, voted against Ono, it shocked many in higher education circles, especially because he already won approval from UF’s board.
Controversy Surrounding the Previous Candidate
But the announcement that Ono was UF’s finalist was quickly met with backlash from many conservatives who deemed him too progressive for Florida. Christopher Rufo, a New College of Florida trustee and conservative firebrand, for example, called Ono’s selection a “scandal”, while Donald Trump Jr. dubbed Ono a “woke psycho.” During their June meeting, board of governor’s members grilled Ono about Michigan’s diversity, equity and inclusion policies and his handling of campus encampments in the wake of the October Hamas attacks in Israel before voting 10-6 to reject his appointment. Florida law bans DEI, and UF and other state universities have dismantled their programs.
The University of Florida’s board of trustees voted unanimously Monday to pick a medical doctor and researcher from Columbia University to be the institution’s interim president.
UF has been without a permanent president since Ben Sasse abruptly resigned his post more than a year ago. Its attempt to hire the University of Michigan’s former president, Santa Ono, ended in failure when conservative leaders — in Florida and nationwide — denounced the choice and Florida’s higher education board then voted down Ono in June.
With little fanfare, Donald Landry was tapped for an interim role that starts next week. He is currently the director of the clinical pharmacology and experimental therapeutics division and the nephrology division at Columbia’s College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City.
“Dr. Landry is a highly accomplished scientist whose work is recognized around the world,” said Mori Hosseini, chair of the UF board, in a statement. “He has shown exceptional leadership in academia and beyond, building programs with innovation, energy and integrity. I am confident that Dr. Landry will bring those same talents to the University of Florida in service to the students, faculty and people of the great state of Florida.”
New Interim President’s View on DEI Initiatives
Monday, Rahul Patel, the UF board’s vice chair, asked Landry for his perspective on DEI initiatives. Landry responded that they were vague when they first emerged, and then “went too far” in later years. “I think we can all be thankful that government has intervened and returned us to a rational meritocracy,” Landry said. The vote against Ono made Florida critics convinced only political candidates would be considered in the future. In the last several years, former Lieutenant Gov. Jeanette Nuñez, former state lawmaker Manny Diaz Jr. and former Speaker of the Florida House Richard Corcoran have all been tapped as presidents at Florida universities and colleges. But Landry’s career has been in medicine and academia.
Conclusion
The appointment of Donald Landry as the interim president of the University of Florida marks a new chapter for the institution. With his background in medicine and academia, Landry is expected to bring a unique perspective to the role. As the search for a permanent leader begins, it remains to be seen whether Landry will be a candidate. One thing is certain, however: the University of Florida is in need of stable and effective leadership, and Landry’s appointment is a step in the right direction.
FAQs
Q: Who is the new interim president of the University of Florida?
A: Donald Landry, a medical doctor and researcher from Columbia University.
Q: Why was the previous candidate, Santa Ono, rejected?
A: Ono was rejected due to backlash from conservative leaders who deemed him too progressive for Florida.
Q: What is Landry’s view on DEI initiatives?
A: Landry believes that DEI initiatives were vague when they first emerged and then “went too far” in later years.
Q: When will the search for a permanent leader begin?
A: The search for a permanent leader is expected to start soon, although no details were discussed at Monday’s meeting.
Q: Will Landry be a candidate for the permanent position?
A: It is unclear whether Landry will be a candidate for the permanent position.
Q: What is Landry’s background?
A: Landry is currently the director of the clinical pharmacology and experimental therapeutics division and the nephrology division at Columbia’s College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City.
Q: How long will Landry serve as interim president?
A: Landry’s term as interim president starts next week, but the exact length of his term is unclear.
Q: What are the expectations for Landry’s leadership?
A: Landry is expected to bring a unique perspective to the role and provide stable and effective leadership for the University of Florida.
Originally Published: August 25, 2025 at 12:11 PM EDT
