UF taps Columbia physician-scientist Donald Landry as interim president
The University of Florida Board of Trustees on August 25 voted to appoint Dr. Donald Landry, a professor of medicine at Columbia University, as the university’s interim president. The move comes as the board continues to navigate transitions after the resignation of the previous long-time leader and amid the ongoing process to name a permanent president.
Landry, who holds the title Hamilton Southworth Professor of Medicine at Columbia and formerly chaired the Department of Medicine there, was confirmed by the board to serve as interim president. He previously led as physician-in-chief at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center and has a prolific research portfolio, including 50 patents and extensive publications and grants. He is a member of multiple professional organizations, including the American Chemical Society, the New York Academy of Sciences, the American Society for Clinical Investigation, and the Association of American Physicians, and was elected to the National Academy of Inventors in 2015.
The appointment follows a period of upheaval at UF. Interim President Kent Fuchs, who has led the university since August 2024 after the sudden resignation of Ben Sasse, had his extension to remain in the role pushed out by a month as the state Board of Governors rejected the university’s finalist, Santa Ono, for the permanent presidency. Ono’s confirmation process drew significant scrutiny from state lawmakers over issues including diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs, antisemitism, climate change, and campus protests.
The Board of Governors still must formally confirm Landry for the interim role. The UF board’s decision to move forward with Landry comes as it continues to field questions about the next steps in UF’s presidential search. Trustees have defended a confidential process as the best way to attract top candidates, even as some lawmakers have argued for a more open process. The university has said it plans to begin the search for a permanent president in early 2026 and that confidentiality is intended to help secure strong contenders.
Landry addressed trustees during the confirmation process, portraying his move to UF as “the opportunity of a lifetime.” He noted his affinity for Gainesville, including past participation in athletics and community events, after competing in the World Masters Athletics Indoors Championships.
Why it matters
– The interim appointment provides UF with stable leadership as it transitions from interim regimes and navigates a national-scale search for a permanent president.
– Landry’s extensive background in medicine and research could influence priorities at UF, particularly in areas related to biomedical research, innovation, and collaboration with UF’s health and science programs.
– The continuation of a confidential search process, despite external calls for openness, remains a point of political and public debate in Florida, reflecting broader tensions between university governance and state oversight.
Summary
UF’s Board of Trustees has named Donald Landry of Columbia University as interim president, with the expectation that the state Board of Governors will confirm the appointment. The move follows the rejection of a previous finalist and signals a focus on leadership with strong research credentials as UF begins a new phase in its search for a permanent president, expected to start in early 2026.
Comments and analysis
– Landry’s appointment could help maintain continuity in UF’s research and clinical initiatives while the permanent leadership search proceeds.
– Observers will be watching how Landry’s administration handles campus culture, DEI considerations, construction projects, and broader strategic priorities as the UF system prepares for its next long-term leader.
– The ongoing tension between calls for greater openness in the search process and the university’s stated need for confidentiality may shape the perceived transparency of UF’s governance in the months ahead.
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