Gainesville, Fla., August 25, 2025 – The University of Florida Board of Directors unanimously appointed Dr. Donald W. Landry as interim president on September 1, 2025.
Dr. Landry is honorary president of Columbia University School of Medicine and Professor Hamilton Southworth at the Presvierian/Columbia Medical Center, New York. He also serves as president of the American Academy of Sciences and Letters and is a recipient of the Presidential Citizens’ Medal, one of the nation’s highest civilian honors.
During his tenure in Colombia, Landry oversaw significant growth. Charitable, federal research funding tripled, and the division rose to the third national ranking. The university’s announcement states that clinical income and patient care surgeries have expanded significantly, but the number of faculty has doubled.
His academic contributions go beyond leadership. Landry’s study investigated artificial enzymes to treat small molecule drug development for the detection of cocaine addiction, neurological and cardiac disease, oncology and vasopressin deficiency in shock conditions. He has written over 150 scientific publications and has received 50 US patents. His national services include membership in the President’s Council on Bioethics from 2008 to 2009 and elections to the National Society of Invention in 2015.
Mori Hosseini, chairman of the UF board of trustees, praised the laundry choice, describing it as “a very skilled scientist who has been recognized for his work all over the world.” Hosseini said Landry demonstrates “to demonstrate exceptional leadership in academia and beyond, building programs with innovation, energy and integrity.”
Landry calls the appointment “an extraordinary honor” and highlights the recent achievements and national reputation of the UF. He said he looks forward to working with faculty, staff and students, according to the announcement.
Leadership changes are during the transition period of the university. The UF has not had a permanent president since Bensasse resigned in 2024. Previously serving as president, Kentfooks served as interim leader in August 2024 and oversees the university during the search process.
In May 2025, the trustee chose Santa Ono, former president of the University of Michigan, as UF’s 14th president. However, the board refused to nominate Ono with 10-6 votes in June. This is an extraordinary step that has attracted the attention of the public. Critics cited Ono’s past diversity, equity, inclusion initiatives and his handling of campus protests as reasons to oppose it. This refusal forced the university to resume its presidential search process.
The board’s future vote will determine whether Landry officially assumes an interim presidency. If confirmed, he is expected to guide the university through the next phase of the search for a permanent president, while maintaining stability at one of the nation’s public research institutions.
