Campbell University named William M. Downs as its sixth president. He will succeed Bradley Creed on July 1, who will retire at the end of a 10-year term.
A Raleigh native, Downs has been president of Gardner-Webb University in the Cleveland County town of Boiling Springs since 2019. He has more than 30 years experience in higher education, and previously was dean of the Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences and a professor of political science at East Carolina University. He has a bachelor’s degree (1988) from NC State University and master’s and doctorate degrees (1994) from Emory University in Atlanta.
“Dr. Downs represents everything we hoped to find in Campbell University’s next president,” says Gene Lewis III, who chairs the board 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.”
Both Gardner-Webb and Campbell are private universities affiliated with the Baptist faith. Campbell University has about 5,000 students, including 2,700 undergraduates and 2,300 graduates. Gardner-Webb has about 3,140 students.
Campbell has a law school in Raleigh and has the state’s only osteopathic medical school. Its main campus is in Buies Creek in Harnett County. Buies Creek has about 3,600 residents, while Boiling Springs has about 4,600.
Campbell University has about 54,000 living alumni, comparedwith 38,000 at Gardner-Webb. Campbell has an endowment of about $190 million, versus $80 million at Gardner-Webb. Campbell has 221 full- and part-time faculty, with 82% holding the highest degree in their field. Both compete at the NCAA Division 1 level.
Executive search firm CarterBaldwin assisted the search committee in a six-month process.
“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,” says Downs in a release.
During his presidency at Gardner-Webb, Downs spearheaded major capital projects including the construction of a cafeteria, an amphitheater, an indoor baseball facility and the renovation of key academic and athletic spaces. Academically, Downs modernized the general education core curriculum, ultimately increasing accessibility and enrollment, while preserving the university’s faith-based identity, according to a release.
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 the Rev. Lamont Littlejohn, chair of the Gardner-Webb board of trustees.
Creed announced his plans to retire in April 2024.
“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,” Lewis said. “We look forward to Campbell’s bright future, and we’re proud to welcome Dr. Downs.”