New UA President Peter Mohler Takes First Questions, Praises Academics and Athletics

The University of Alabama's new President praised its academic and athletic achievements Monday afternoon as he took his first questions minutes after a vote to appoint him to the role.

As the Thread first reported, President-to-be Peter Mohler joins the Capstone from a longtime tenure at the Ohio State University, where he was serving as executive vice president.

The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees voted to appoint Mohler to replace outgoing president Stuart Bell, and the transition is set to officially take place on July 21st.

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Build on Strength

In his first question and answer session, Mohler said he has a reputation built on impact and hopes to continue that in Tuscaloosa.

"We hear a lot about angst in higher education, but in my mind, the Capstone is the perfect model of thinking about how we redefine the university. How do we redefine the University? We think about the future of workforce. We think about the future of solutions for big things like energy and behavioral health and food deserts," Mohler said. "Rankings are great, but it's really important to think about your impact. Not only what students are doing here, but what happens once they leave the University. So, this is an incredible place with an incredible future, but building on strength."

Listen and Learn

Mohler told reporters his first priority, like most new Presidents, will be to listen and learn.

"I'm going to need to spend some time with the faculty, the staff, the students, the alumni, community partners, and really get across the state and listen to understand what's on people's minds, what makes UA special for them, and then work together with our governments to craft a plan to think about how do we shape the future of higher education through the University of Alabama," he said "I'm also interested in working across the other universities within the System to think about how we connect what's happening here in Tuscaloosa with what's happening in Birmingham and Huntsville."

Importance of Athletics on and off the Field

Coming from the home of the reigning college football national champions to a place where everyone bleeds Crimson, Mohler said he understands the expectation for excellence at Alabama.

"Athletics is really important to me. I grew up playing sports. I grew up thinking about Alabama," Mohler said. "We think about athletics as the front door of the University. But what's incredible about Alabama is once you get through that front door - athletics is incredible and it will continue to be incredible - but all the great things that are happening beyond that front door, that's what gets me excited."

On the Tide's Home-and-Home Series Against OSU in 2027 and 2028

In 2027, the Tide will travel to Columbus for a football game, and the Buckeyes will come to Alabama the next year. Mohler said he can't wait.

"I am going to go into that game incredibly excited. We get two games, a home and home, and to be able to see those two powerhouses go after each other, it's going to be truly exciting," Mohler said. "They have things in common, strong, strong programs - not just teams, but strong programs. History, legacy, and some of the greatest coaches to ever coach in college football. Incredibly, incredibly excited fan bases. To see the level of respect between the two fan bases, if you've seen the bowl games between the two of them, it's inspiring. It's going to be exciting to be on the sidelines for those ones."

Choosing a Beautiful, Exciting Campus

Mohler said that leading up to his hire, he found that the University of Alabama lives up to its award-winning marketing efforts.

"I've been to a lot of campuses, and this is one of the most beautiful campuses you see," he said. "But to see the energy on campus, to see the faculty and the students and the deans - and really some incredible work coming out of the College of Engineering or the Law School or the nursing school here, which is one of the best in the country - You get on campus and you see what you might see in a web page or a video. To really be on campus and to see the pride - when you have pride and you have alignment, you can get a lot of things done."

On Joining the SEC

"Everyone thinks about the athletics that happen in the SEC and obviously that's incredibly exciting," Mohler said. "We've talked a lot about football today, but you think of student athletes here at Alabama in sports like golf or gymnastics or baseball - it just goes on and on. To see those student athletes not only thinking about what they're doing during their time here at Alabama, but to see their successes and being parts of boards, and CEOs, that's really where the impact of the university can align with the interests of the state moving forward."

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