University of Florida Taps Columbia Scientist Donald Landry as Interim President

The University of Florida Board of Trustees voted unanimously on 25 August to appoint Dr. Donald W. Landry, a physician-scientist and chair emeritus of Columbia University’s Department of Medicine, as interim president. Landry is scheduled to take office on 1 September, succeeding Kent Fuchs, whose extended interim contract expires the same day. Landry’s appointment still requires confirmation by the State Board of Governors, which oversees Florida’s 12 public universities and is slated to meet on 10–11 September. Trustees described Landry as a globally recognised researcher with more than 50 patents and past service on the U.S. President’s Council on Bioethics. The leadership change follows the Board of Governors’ 10–6 vote in June to reject the trustees’ previous choice, former University of Michigan president Dr. Santa Ono, amid criticism of his support for diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. The university plans to launch a search for a permanent president in early 2026.