President J. Bradley Creed to retire in 2025

April 17, 2024

After a decade of dedicated service at the helm of Campbell University, Dr. J. Bradley Creed will step down next year from his presidency, concluding his more than 30-year career in higher education leadership

Campbell University President Dr. J. Bradley Creedwill retire in the summer of 2025 at the end of his 10-year tenure, Creed informed the university's Board of Trustees during its meeting today at the campus.

Only the fifth president in Campbell's 137-year history, Creed's legacy as an accomplished leader of mission-driven institutions and as a scholar and historian of religion is well established. Before becoming president in 2015, he served as dean at the George W. Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University. He also held the roles of provost and executive vice president at Samford University.

"Serving as Campbell's president has been an honor and the capstone of my career in higher education," Creed said. "I am thankful for the many wonderful people who assisted and supported me, and especially for the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of our students. After more than 30 years of leadership in higher education, I'm eager to take on other projects and to spend more time with my loving wife, children, and grandchildren."

During his decade at Campbell's helm, Creed played an instrumental role in the private university's growth as an institution. He successfully navigated the disruptions of COVID-19, guiding the university through the challenges of remote learning and the transition back to on-campus instruction. Dr. Creed oversaw the most successful capital campaign in Campbell's history, raising $105 million. That fundraising supported the development of the Oscar N. Harris Student Union, now recognized as the heart of student life at Campbell.

Under Creed's leadership, the university experienced a rise in undergraduate admissions in the wake of the national trend of a pandemic-induced decline. While Creed enhanced Campbell's undergraduate experience, he also nurtured the success of the university's graduate and professional programs.

Campbell's Board of Trustees will lead a national search for President Creed's successor.

[Link]President Creed at a graduation ceremony in 2022.

"Although our board is sad to accept President Creed's announcement that he will retire next year, we celebrate his accomplishments, his devotion to Campbell, and his wise, compassionate leadership," said Board Chairman Gene Lewis III. "We are grateful that President Creed will remain as president over the next year to keep Campbell moving forward and to ensure a smooth transition to his eventual successor.

"Thanks to President Creed, Campbell is poised to make great strides under a new leader, who will elevate our university among private institutions of higher learning in the heart of one of America's fastest-growing states. That should be an exciting opportunity for strong candidates nationwide. Our board looks forward to working closely with a search consultant and President Creed to identify the next leader, who will take Campbell to new heights."

To learn more about Campbell University, please visit campbell.edu.

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