The History of The Thomas J. Boyd Chapel
The Boyd Chapel at Shaw University was first dedicated on June 15, 1948. After World War II, the United States military had a surplus of wood framed "temporary" chapel buildings which were being made available to the civilian sector. Shaw University applied for one of these chapels and one was so designated. It came from Camp Sutton.

In 1993, The Boyd Chapel was completely renovated. The renovation was made possible because of funds donated by Rev. Thomas J. Boyd for whom the chapel was subsequently names. The rededication of the chapel took place at a ceremony held in the chapel on November 21, 1993.

The philosophy underlying religious life on Shaw's CAPE Satellites is that any education which proposes to equip students for wholesome living and efficient service must of necessity include religion. Shaw's philosophy purports that a well-developed personality can be achieved only by the cultivation and enhancement of all areas of an individual's life and that a religious environment for college students constitutes fertile soil for growth in the realm of spiritual aspirations.

Dean of the Chapel 
Donna Coletrane Battle is a native of Yanceyville, NC, where she was raised by her parents Rev. Donald and Veronica Coletrane and her late grandmother, Lucy Slade.  She has one sister, a brother-in-law, and four nephews.  She was blessed to marry the love of her life, Dedrick Nathaniel Battle on August 7, 2004.  They now reside in Knightdale, NC.   

Donna graduated from Bartlett Yancey High School in 1998, and she graduated with honors from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in December 2001 with a BA degree in Public Relations.  In May 2005 Donna graduated from Duke University with a Masters of Divinity. 

On July 15, 2001, Donna was licensed to preach by Blackwell Missionary Baptist Church and the church as a choir member, Sunday school and Vacation Bible School teacher, liturgical dance choreographer, and youth minister. For the past sixteen years, she has enjoyed speaking and teaching at numerous churches, schools, and community centers. She has also facilitated workshops on topics that include: self-worth, the miracle of forgiveness, communicating in relationships, and teambuilding. In March 2005, Donna was ordained by the Cedar Grove Missionary Baptist Association.  She has served as a Life Coach at Shaw University in Raleigh, NC and has most recently served as the Youth and Christian Education Minister at Mt. Level Missionary Baptist Church in Durham, NC. Donna is currently the Associate Dean of the Chapel at Shaw University. 

The Mission
A chief aim of Shaw University is to provide an educational setting where "Religion and learning go hand in hand and where character grows with knowledge." Therefore, the primary mission of Campus Ministry is to create an environment where the students' religious commitment can be enhanced and authenticated. The Dean of the Chapel, Dr. Quincy Scott, Jr., leads the planning, implementing and/or officiating at a variety of services and programs each week. Not withstanding Shaw's relationship to the Baptist denomination, all worship services and programs are ecumenical. Students are exposed to basic Christian doctrine, regular inquiry to the meaning of Holy Scripture, and issues confronting students at this stage of their development.

The Rev. Henry Martin Tupper, founder of Shaw, did not distinguish between secular and Christian education. The Chapel continues to serve as an integrating force, offering a perspective which brings together academic, social and spiritual development.

CASES
Cultural and Spiritual Enrichment Seminars begin at 11:00 a.m., unless otherwise noted, in The Thomas J. Boyd Chapel.

2009 Calendar of Events ( will be posted soon)