Religion historian named Campbell president

Creed, who will succeed retiring Campbell President Jerry Wallace on July 1, is currently provost and executive vice president of Samford University in Birmingham, Ala., where he also is a professor of religion.

“Dr. Creed is the embodiment of all we hoped to find in Campbell’s next president," Benjamin Thompson, chairman of Campbell's Board of Trustees, said in a statement. "He brings the breadth of vision and depth of experience required to lead Campbell to even greater levels of regional and national prominence. He is a man of strong personal faith and deep integrity. I am confident that Campbell has found the right leader at the right time.”

A search committee of trustees, faculty, staff and students unanimously recommended Creed to the Board of Trustees at the conclusion of a six-month process. The board's decision during a special meeting Friday also was unanimous.

"I am genuinely enthusiastic about the future of this exceptional institution of higher education,” Creed said in a statement. “Because of the quality and dedication of the Board of Trustees, the commitment of a stellar faculty and the outstanding leadership of President Wallace, Campbell is blessed with a strong foundation and is unusually poised for additional growth and remarkable accomplishments in the days ahead."

A Jacksonville, Texas, native, Creed received a bachelor's degree in religion from Baylor University and master's and doctoral degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.

During his time at Samford, he helped launch the College of Health Sciences in 2013, and played a key role in efforts to increase the size, retention and academic quality of the undergraduate student body. He also previously served as dean of The George W. Truett Seminary at Baylor.

Wallace has led Campbell for 12 years, and the school has set enrollment records in his tenure, opened the first medical school in North Carolina in 35 years in 2013 and launched four other health degree programs in the past five years.