THE SHAW MAN & SHAW WOMAN SOCIETY

Est. 2004

Raleigh, NC

The question “Who are you?” asked of Leon D. Parker in the summer of 2004 by Martel Perry, Executive Vice President of Shaw University, sparked conversations among Mr. Parker and his peers centered on defining how one would distinguish a Shaw University student before and after graduation. They decided that - in a world where people seemed sloppy in their morals, values, and convictions - they themselves would be persons of principle who would consistently live according to the highest ethics, morality, and principle.

This group of pioneering young men and women, looking to rise to a higher level of excellence characterized by special values for each gender, created the Shaw Man & Shaw Woman Society designed not just for students but also for alumni, faculty, staff and friends of the Society, who live up to the established standards. All Shaw University students are welcome to apply for membership.

An offshoot called the Shaw Man & Shaw Woman Society Pilgrims was set up for students with less than 60 credit hours who are in good academic standing with the University and have the same aspirations as their parent group.

Wealth and status are not factors here. Instead, high moral standards and character are the qualities the Shaw Man &Shaw Woman show the world – A “Shaw Bear” personified. The Shaw Man & Shaw Woman Society and the Pilgrims strive to be a road map for character, citizenship, and individual development. By joining the Society, each is expressing a desire to move towards a higher plane of excellence here at Shaw, where our motto is “Strides to Excellence: Only the Best!”

The founding members of  The Shaw Man & Shaw  Woman Society are Fabrice Blackson, Daryl Garrett Jr., Idoreyin Montague, Leon D. Parker, Dannel Rolle and Asha Wilson.

The Society was first introduced to the general University community at the Cultural and Spiritual Enrichment Seminar (CASES). The charter members were inducted in the spring of 2005 at the annual Awards Day Ceremony where 74 members took their oath of commitment to the ideals of the society. President Clarence G. Newsome conducted a special induction ceremony for all Board of Trustee members. Attorney David Walker, member of the Board of Trustees became the Society’s first benefactor when he donated $1,000.00.

Each member receives a certificate signed by the President, Chaplin, Vice President of Academic Affairs and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, a pin with the Society’s motto “Esprit de Corps” engraved on it, and a picture of Estey Hall. Graduating seniors of the Society are adorned with garnet and white stoles that have  The Shaw Man & Shaw  Woman Society on one side and their class on the other.