Dr. J. Bradley Creed, former dean and currently professor of Christian History at Baylor University's George W. Truett Theological Seminary in Waco, Texas, has been named associate provost at Samford University. He will join the faculty later this summer.
"Brad Creed is among the best and brightest of a new generation of Baptist educational leaders," said Samford President Thomas E. Corts in making the announcement. "He has the dedicated heart and the alert mind this task demands."
As Associate Provost, Dr. Creed will assist with curriculum, faculty and academic matters.
A native of Jacksonville, Texas, Creed earned the bachelor of arts in religion degree, cum laude, from Baylor University, and both the M.Div. and Ph.D. degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth, Texas. Post-graduate education includes Harvard University's Management Development Program in Higher Education, and language studies at Academia Hispano Americano in San Miguel de Allenda, Guanajuato, Mexico.
Creed served as associate dean of Truett Seminary from August 1993 to January 1996, then dean until May, 2000. During that time, enrollment increased from 48 to 247 and the faculty and staff expanded from four to 20 full-time employees. He was one of the first professors hired before the seminary was opened in 1994.
"These times challenge institutions that seek to be strong academically and to be just as strong in their moral and spiritual emphasis," said Corts. "Dr. Creed can provide effective leadership for Samford."
In a statement following the announcement of his appointment, Creed said: "I look forward to devoting my energies and abilities to strengthening Samford's distinctive mission of combining faith and learning and supporting those who have committed themselves to vocations of teaching, scholarship and service at Samford.
"Samford, by reputation and rankings, has gained wide and well-earned respect in various circles of opinion and influence," he added. "I have been particularly impressed with the effective leadership of President Thomas Corts and the direction and progress of the University under his administration. I am grateful for this opportunity to serve at a university that I have, for some time, greatly admired."
A popular preacher, Creed has led Bible studies, conferences and retreats in 13 states. He has written for The Baptist Program, Christianity Today, Holman Bible Dictionary, and contributed chapters in several books, including Has Our Theology Changed? Southern Baptist Thought Since 1845 (Broadman-Holman Publishers, 1994) and Proclaiming the Baptist Vision: The Church (Smyth & Helwys Publisher, 1996).
Creed is married to Kathy Harton, also a native of Jacksonville, Texas. They have three children: Caitlin Elizabeth, Charles Vernon and Carrie Grace. She holds the bachelor of science degree in Speech Therapy and Elementary Education from Baylor, and the master of arts in Public School Administration from the University of North Texas. She has served as a public school teacher, speech therapist, guidance counselor and principal, and is a frequent speaker and facilitator of Women's and Minister's Wives retreats and conferences.