Presidential Search

 

 

Dr. William M. Downs named Campbell University’s sixth president

“Dr. Downs represents everything we hoped to find in Campbell University’s next president,” said Gene Lewis III, chair of the Board of Trustees and presidential search committee. “With his extensive experience, deep personal faith, and infectious energy, he is uniquely qualified to elevate Campbell to new heights, while upholding our mission and values.”  

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Executive Search Firm

The Campbell University Board of Trustees has engaged CarterBaldwin, a recognized leader in higher education searches, to serve as our partner and facilitate the search process. Our team from CarterBaldwin will be led by Bill Peterson and Gerri Williams.

As a first step, the firm will assist the search committee in the development of a position profile, which will define the qualities and characteristics the Campbell community is seeking in its next president.

Nominations, inquiries and applications may be sent to campbellpresident@carterbaldwin.com.

Additional inquiries should be directed to:

Mr. Bill Peterson, Partner
CarterBaldwin Executive Search
bpeterson@carterbaldwin.com

Dr. Gerri Williams, Associate Partner
CarterBaldwin Executive Search
gwilliams@carterbaldwin.com

Search Process Timeline

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Search Communications

Dr. William M. Downs was elected as the sixth president of Campbell University by the board of trustees during a special session on Monday morning. 

An accomplished academic leader and political science scholar with more than 30 years of experience in higher education, Downs served as the 13th president of Gardner-Webb University. Prior to his appointment at Gardner-Webb, Dr. Downs served as dean of the Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences, professor of political science, and W. Keats Sparrow distinguished chair in liberal arts at East Carolina University. 

“Dr. Downs represents everything we hoped to find in Campbell University’s next president,” said Gene Lewis III, chair of the Board of Trustees and presidential search committee. “With his extensive experience, deep personal faith, and infectious energy, he is uniquely qualified to elevate Campbell to new heights, while upholding our mission and values.”  

Campbell’s presidential search committee — composed of trustees, faculty, staff, and students — unanimously recommended Dr. Downs to the Board of Trustees, concluding a six-month search process led in partnership with the executive search firm CarterBaldwin. 

“I’m grateful for the honor to serve as the sixth president of Campbell University. I’d like to thank the presidential search committee and the Board of Trustees for entrusting me with this opportunity to help shape the future of this exceptional institution,” said Downs. “I admire Campbell’s firm foundation and dedication to academic excellence, and I share in the university’s mission to prepare students for purposeful lives and meaningful service. My wife Kim and I look forward to immersing in the campus lifestyle and becoming part of the Campbell community.” 

A Raleigh native, Downs earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from North Carolina State University. He also holds his master’s degree and Ph.D. in political science from Emory University in Atlanta. 

During his presidency at Gardner-Webb, Downs advanced academics, athletics, and student life. He spearheaded major capital projects including the construction of a state-of-the-art cafeteria, an amphitheater, and an indoor baseball facility, and the renovation of key academic and athletic spaces. Under his leadership, Gardner-Webb revitalized its sports programs, bringing championship wins in basketball, football, tennis, and soccer. Academically, Downs modernized the general education core curriculum, ultimately increasing accessibility and enrollment, while preserving the university’s faith-based identity. 

His leadership also guided Gardner-Webb through the uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic and the recovery of a devastating hurricane. 

“Dr. Downs’ bold leadership and dynamic energy will leave a lasting mark on Gardner-Webb. It has been a privilege to work alongside him and witness his transformative impact firsthand,” said Rev. Dr. Lamont Littlejohn, chair of the Gardner-Webb Board of Trustees. “While we will miss his vision and guidance, we are excited for the opportunities that await him at Campbell and wish him every success as he begins this next chapter.” 

Downs will take office as president of Campbell University on July 1, and will succeed Dr. J. Bradley Creed, who retires at the end of June, after a 10-year term.  

“Although the Campbell community is sad to see President Creed leave for retirement, we are deeply grateful for his devotion to Campbell and wish him the best,” said Lewis. “For the past 10 years, President Creed guided this university with wise, compassionate leadership, and we are positioned for continued success under our new leader, thanks to his service. We look forward to Campbell’s bright future, and we’re proud to welcome Dr. Downs.”

Greetings Campbell Community,
 
Over the past month, the presidential search committee and our executive search firm, CarterBaldwin, have led an extensive national search, recruiting a diverse group of highly-qualified applicants for the role of Campbell’s next president.
 
We’re now in a pivotal phase of the presidential search process as we carefully review applications and begin to interview candidates.
 
We’re excited to share a recorded message with you, the Campbell community, to provide more insight on the search for our sixth president and this current phase of the process:  https://youtu.be/o05DBeE4RI0
 
We are confident this process will lead us to a president who will build upon Campbell’s proud legacy and rich traditions while guiding us toward a promising future.
 
The search committee is committed to providing regular updates as we work to identify our next leader, and you can stay informed through our presidential search webpage: https://www.campbell.edu/about/leadership/presidential-search/
 
Gene Lewis III and the Campbell University Presidential Search Committee
 
Campbell Community,
Since you last heard from the presidential search committee, we have been hard at work alongside our search firm, CarterBaldwin. In September, we held listening sessions with various constituents and developed a presidential candidate profile, illustrating the desired attributes of the University’s future leader. We’re pleased to share that this phase of the presidential search is complete. Thank you to the students, staff, faculty, alumni, and leadership who helped to shape the profile – it is available on the presidential search webpage and we recommend reading it in full.
We’d like to highlight a few key qualities from the profile that embody the type of president we’re looking for:
  • A track record of successful leadership
  • A love for Christ and a demonstrated life of Christian values
  • Exceptional financial acumen
  • The ability to create and execute a vision
  • The power to inspire and mobilize others
These areas will be essential to the success of our future president, who will serve as a guiding force for Campbell in the years to come.
The presidential search committee and the CarterBaldwin team have the highest confidence that this profile effectively conveys Campbell University’s mission, values, and history to qualified leaders seeking a future home in Buies Creek. The next president will be charged with navigating the ever-changing landscape of higher education, and this profile will assist us in attracting the right candidate who can rise to the occasion with energy and integrity.
Looking ahead, with the publication of the presidential search profile, the recruitment process will begin in earnest. During this time, CarterBaldwin will assist the committee in identifying potential candidates from across the country. Closer to the holiday season, the committee and CarterBaldwin will review these candidates and narrow the field before beginning interviews. Our expectation is that a finalist will be selected by the end of the year, with the board of trustees voting in early 2025, and a final selection in the spring.
The Campbell family stretches far and wide, and we encourage nominations and applications from our community and beyond. All nominations, expressions of interest, and applications should be submitted to the presidential search committee at CampbellPresident@carterbaldwin.com by October 28, 2024.
We will continue providing general updates throughout the process, and you can stay informed through the presidential search webpage.
Gene Lewis III & the Presidential Search Committee

Dear Campbell community:

Gene Lewis, chair of the Campbell University board of trustees, announced the formation of a 12-person presidential search committee and selection of a search firm to identify and recommend candidates to succeed J. Bradley Creed as the institution’s next president. The decision follows an announcement in April that President Creed will retire in the summer of 2025. The committee includes representatives from Campbell’s faculty, staff, alumni, trustees, and students.
 
Lewis said he is confident in the committee’s ability to undertake this task. “This diverse search committee represents the solidity of our university and its unique strengths,” said Lewis, who will also serve as chair of the presidential search committee. “This team will identify a visionary leader who will help ensure Campbell University is poised for continued success while maintaining the values that have cemented this institution as a leader in North Carolina’s higher education ecosystem.”
 
Members of the presidential search committee are as follows:
 
Board of Trustees Members
James Eugene “Gene” Lewis III, Chair ’95
Senior Vice President and Wealth Advisor, UBS Financial Services
 
Frederick “Fred” L. Taylor II ’92
President, Troy Lumber Company
 
Jeff Roberts, DMin
Senior Pastor, Trinity Baptist Church, Raleigh
 
Joseph “Joe” C. Hall, Jr.
Retired Businessman
 
Robert “Bob” L. Whiteman
Trustee Emeritus
 
Alumni Representatives
Rebecca Brock ’97 BBA, ’01 MBA
 
President, Alumni Board of Directors
Senior Vice President and Fiduciary Director, Truist Wealth
 
Wanda Watkins ’79, ’81 MEd
Former Head Women’s Basketball Coach
 
Faculty Members
Michael L. Adams, ’96 PharmD
Vice President for Academic Affairs & Provost
 
David L. Tolentino, DO
Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs
Associate Professor of Internal Medicine, Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine
 
Edward Fubara, PhD
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
Professor of Business, Lundy-Fetterman School of Business
 
Staff Member
Deborah Gibbs
University Bursar
 
Student Representative
Aviel Eubanks
Executive President, Student Government Association
Political Science, Pre-Law Major
 
Campbell retained leading executive search firm CarterBaldwin to facilitate the search for the university’s next president. CarterBaldwin has experience conducting president and chancellor searches for numerous other religiously-affiliated institutions, including King University, Pepperdine University, Samford University, Liberty University, and Charleston Southern University.
 
CarterBaldwin and the search committee will undertake an active national search to identify a diverse field of promising candidates. Following interviews, reference checks, and possible campus visits, the committee will narrow the field and recommend candidates for the presidency to the board. A new president is expected to be named by the first quarter of 2025 and begin their duties on July 1.

Greetings Community:

We’re writing to share that this morning, during a meeting of the University Board of Trustees, President J. Bradley Creed announced he will retire from his position in June 2025, completing 10 years of steadfast leadership at Campbell University. 

While we’re saddened by the news, we are equally celebratory of President Creed’s immeasurable impact and compassionate leadership during his tenure. He graciously agreed to continue his presidency over the next year to help propel Campbell into the future and ensure a smooth transition for the next president. 

Please join us in extending sincere appreciation to President Creed for his dedicated service to Campbell. Our university has grown and flourished under his leadership, and he will be missed.  

The Board of Trustees is moving forward with a national search for President Creed’s successor. Rest assured, we will keep you and the rest of the Campbell community informed as the search progresses.  

Best regards, 

Gene Lewis III and the Campbell University Board of Trustees 

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