Stuart Bell (photo courtesy of University of Alabama)

A former Kansas University engineering dean has been named president of the University of Alabama.

It’s actually a homecoming for Stuart Bell, who spent 16 years at the University of Alabama — first as assistant professor of mechanical engineering and, later, as department head — before he worked at KU, according to a University of Alabama announcement.

At KU, Bell was dean of engineering from 2002 to 2012. His time at the school included the construction of Eaton Hall and the attraction of several major engineering gifts. Bell left KU in 2012 to become provost and executive vice chancellor at Louisiana State University, a post he held until being hired at the University of Alabama.

Bell’s appointment as president of the University of Alabama began this month, according to the school’s announcement. He and his wife, Susan, have three adult children, Stuart, Stacy — a University of Alabama graduate — and Stephen.