University of Montevallo Board Approves $226K Contract Adjustment for Outgoing President: What This Means for the Future

The University of Montevallo recently made some significant changes to its leadership. At their board meeting on June 13, they finalized an agreement with Dr. John W. Stewart III, who will step down as president on June 30, 2025. He will receive a total of $226,589.40, including nine monthly payments of $25,176.60 starting in July 2025, plus a $10,000 stipend for moving expenses.

Dr. Stewart’s exit follows a tuition increase— the first in seven years— prompted by rising operational costs and the need to update aging infrastructure at the university.

After his presidency ends, Dr. Stewart won’t disappear from campus altogether. He will take on the title of President Emeritus and Special Assistant, helping with fundraising efforts for the UM Foundation until March 2026.

Currently, the Board of Trustees is on the lookout for an interim president. They are considering Dr. Terry Roberson, who has a history with the university, having served as provost, vice president of academic affairs, and even interim president before Dr. Stewart.

These changes come at a time when many universities face similar challenges with funding and leadership transitions. A report from the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges noted that tuition increases at public universities have risen by an average of 3% annually since 2021. This trend is reflective of broader financial pressures in higher education, making stable leadership vital for guiding universities through turbulent times.

As the university moves forward, how it manages these transitions may shape its future success.



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