Leadership & Board
Guided by Service, Rooted in Franciscan Values
Service is part of the very fabric of Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University. Our Franciscan institution has been a leader in healthcare-related education in Louisiana for 100 years and we value the opportunity to serve others "with joyfulness of spirit, and with humility and justice for all those entrusted to our care." These values are reflected by our board, leadership, faculty and staff.
President's Biography
David M. Bellar serves as the fifth President of Franciscan Missionaries of Our lady University.
Bellar joins FranU from the University of West Florida where he serves as the Dean of Usha Kundu, MD College of Health. During his tenure, he received a $6.68 million grant to enhance health education facilities, secured scholarship funding and gifts of space for immersive learning experiences at two hospitals, aided in implementing strategies to improve NCLEX pass rates to 98% for the School of Nursing, created the first Staff Council on campus, helped secure a partnership with two major hospital systems to support clinical space for nursing programs and developed a virtual cadaver lab to enhance Anatomy and Physiology education.
Bellar holds a Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology from Kent State University, a M.Ed. in Secondary Education from John Carroll University and a B.S. in Biology and Life Science Chemistry from John Carroll University.
He and his wife Trisha have eight children and he stated that all are excited to become part of the FranU community.
University Overview
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University (FranU) is a Catholic, Franciscan, not-for-profit institution offering programs in nursing, health sciences, humanities, business, behavioral sciences and natural sciences. FranU is a mission-focused university devoted to excellence in teaching, learning, and forming servant leaders prepared to meet the needs of our communities. Located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, FranU is an educational ministry of FMOL Health | Our Lady of the Lake, rooted in the charism of the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady. Committed to the pursuit of truth and the common good, FranU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral degrees.
Board of Trustees
Meet the dedicated leaders who guide Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University with vision and integrity.
University Leaders
Discover the experienced leaders who guide Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University with vision, integrity and a commitment to Franciscan values.
Where Progress Makes Headlines
A Student of OLOL College, a Graduate of FranU
One of the most transformational periods of Russel Landry’s life began more than 10 years ago as a student at Our Lady of the Lake College.
FranU Alumnus Brandon DeVold’s Story of Resilience and Leadership
Brandon DeVold shows that you won’t always have a plan when it comes to your future and to lean on those around you to find a way forward.
FranU DPT Students Use 3D Printing to Create Mobility Devices for Children
Through innovation and service, FranU DPT students are creating 3D-printed devices that support mobility and independence for children.