Contact:
Regina Boone
Development and Public Relations
919-546-8269
For Immediate Release
President Newsome's Inauguration
Invitation
President's Biography
Inaugural Banquet
Inaugural Events
Delegates & Trustees
Inaugural Citations
Accommodations
Directions
Shaw University Map
Banquet Response Card
Delegate Response Card
President's Biography Dr. Clarence G. Newsome
13th President of Shaw University Dr. Clarence G. Newsome, a native of Ahoskie, North Carolina, was named the 13th President of Shaw University on February 13, 2003. Since becoming President, Dr. Newsome has provided Shaw University with a leadership style that exudes energy, innovativeness and a steadfast commitment to excellence. President Newsome displays the characteristics of a leader who understands the importance of having a close relationship with students, faculty, staff, and alumni. In the past year he has met with these groups on numerous occasions, including holding ongoing meetings with student representatives to address their concerns. In addition, he has reached out to other University constituents, speaking at churches for Shaw Day, meeting with alumni and with local, state and national political leaders. President Newsome's administration has adopted the motto: "Strides to Excellence: Only the Best!"
Prior to his appointment at Shaw University, Dr. Newsome served at the Howard University School of Divinity (HUSD) for 17 years. During his tenure, he played a major role in helping guide the school to an unqualified position of excellence and preeminence among theological institutions in the United States and Canada. His service at the HUDS began in 1986 as Assistant Dean. He was appointed the first Associate Dean in the School’s history in 1989. In 1991, he was appointed Acting Dean upon the retirement of Dr. Lawrence N. Jones and in 1992, he was appointed the 14th Dean of the Howard University School of Divinity, joining the ranks of a distinguished line of religious leaders that includes Dr. Benjamin E. Mays, under whose leadership the School was accredited in 1940.
As Associate Dean, he was primarily responsible for the School receiving an invitation to join the “Big Eight,” an organization of theological school development officers from such institutions as Harvard, Yale, University of Chicago and Duke.
Dr. Newsome successfully guided the School through two ten-year reaccredidation reviews, 1992 and 2002. A highlight of his administration was to have the School reaccredited without notation for the first time in its history.
Under Dr. Newsome’s leadership, the first Office of Student Services and the first Office of Institutional Advancement and Development were created. Between 1992 and 1995 the School won four major awards from the University’s Academic Affairs Division for fund raising and alumni support. In 1996, he established an international component to the School by negotiating an agreement to collaborate with Honam University and Theological School in Kwanju, South Korea. In 1997, he oversaw the transformation of the School’s facility into a “smart building” through the development and installation of one of the most comprehensive and cost effective videoconferencing systems in higher education. With the support of Computer Solutions of Newport News, VA, and Hughes Electronics, Inc., of Gaithersburg, MD, the School created a unique, multifaceted two-way audio video communications resource. His leadership facilitated an increase in registration by 59% and an increase in fund raising by approximately 100%.
Dr. Newsome has held several positions in national organizations, among them President of the Society for the Study of Black Religion, a nationwide think tank of scholars engaged in studying the religious experience of African Americans. He has served on the Advisory Committee of the North American-European Theological Seminar of the American Academy of Religion, and on the Board of Directors of the Duke University National Alumni Association. He has also served as the Chairman of the Duke Divinity School Board of Visitors. Moreover, he has served as Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Washington Theological Consortium, an organization of twelve theological schools in the Washington, DC and Richmond, VA metropolitan areas. In addition, he has served on several major committees of the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS). In 2002, he was re-elected to the Executive Committee of the ATS, and in that capacity serves as “Secretary of the Corporation.”
In February 1998, Dr. Newsome was honored by the United States Senate. His name was “read” into the Congressional Record as one of the nation’s outstanding religious leaders. A year later, he was invited by the Honorable William Cohen, then Secretary of Defense, to participate in the highly selective Joint Civilian Orientation Conference.
Dr. Newsome received his Bachelor of Arts, Master of Divinity, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from Duke University. He completed his undergraduate studies in three-and-a-half years and graduated from the Divinity School magna cum laude. A Dean’s List student during his undergraduate years, he lettered in football and was twice named to the Atlantic Coast Conference All Academic Team, among the first Black athletes to be so honored. Sharing the podium with Walter Cronkite, now retired CBS anchorman, he was the first black student commencement speaker in the University’s history. His speech, entitled “An African Concept of Time and a Theme of Liberation in the World Community,” signaled even then the emergence of a captivating speaker with an exceptional mind and uncommon commitment to the well being of people the world over.
While pursuing his master’s degree, he interrupted his theological school studies for a year to serve as Acting Dean of the Office of Black Affairs (later Minority Affairs) and Director of the University’s Summer Transitional Program. During his doctoral studies, he received a number of awards and fellowships, including the prestigious James B. Duke Dissertation Year Fellowship.
He continued his professional career, serving on the Duke Divinity School faculty for eight years, teaching in the areas of American Christianity and Black Church History. In 1982, the graduating class honored him by selecting him to be their baccalaureate speaker. Dr. Newsome also served as pastor of Mt. Level Baptist Church in Durham, NC for a portion of the time he served on the Duke Divinity School Faculty.
Throughout his education and professional career, he has held several positions in national organizations, among them President of the Society for the Study of Black Religion, which is a nationwide think tank of scholars engaged in studying the religious experience of African Americans. Dr. Newsome is the recipient of many awards and honors, including the Distinguished Service in Education Award from the Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc., in 2000, and the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the Duke Divinity School in 2001. His board memberships include the Alban Institute of Bethesda, MD, and the Duke University Board of Trustees.
Dr. Newsome is the General Editor of the acclaimed Directory of African American Religious Bodies, Volume 2, and the author of several scholarly articles, two of which are regarded as noteworthy contributions in the area of religious biography. He is highly regarded throughout the nation as one of the most profound, insightful, engaging and sensitive thinkers of our day and is frequently called upon to share his oratorical talent.
Dr. Newsome is married to the former Lynne Platt, an educator from Charlotte, NC. They have two daughters and a son-in-law. Brittany Ann is a freshman at NYU Tisch School of the Arts. Gina Lynn is in her 3rd year of medical school at UNC Chapel Hill. Gina's husband, Michael B. Duncan, is a graduate student in medicinal chemistry at UNC Chapel Hill.
Inaugural Events
Tentative Schedule
Future of Higher Education and Theological Education
in the New Millennium, Issues Peculiar to HBCU’s
|
Date/Time
|
Activity/Location
|
|
Wednesday,
April 14
2:30
p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
|
Student
Celebration
Estey
Hall Auditorium
|
|
7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
|
Alumni/Faculty/Staff
Celebration
Estey
Hall Auditorium
|
|
Thursday,
April 15
10:00 a.m.
-
4:00 p.m.
|
Lecture
Series (Concurrent Sessions)
Estey Hall
Thomas
J. Boyd Chapel
|
|
7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
|
Community
Forum
Estey
Hall Auditorium
|
|
Friday, April 16
10:00 a.m
|
Inauguration
BTi
Center, Meymandi Hall
|
|
12:00 p.m.
|
Receiving
Line
BTi
Center
Lobby
|
|
1:00 p.m.
|
Luncheon for Delegates/Invited
Guests
BTi Center
|
|
1:00 p.m.
|
Special
Student Luncheon
Cafeteria
|
|
1:00 p.m.
|
Special
Faculty/Staff/Alumni Luncheon Gary
Student Center Ballroom
|
|
8:00 p.m.
|
Inaugural
Ball
Sheraton
Imperial Hotel, RTP,
NC
|
| Saturday,
April 17
10 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
|
Prayer
Brunch
Shaw
University
Campus
|
|
12:15 p.m. – 12:45 p.m.
|
Tree
Planting in honor of President Newsome and his ancestors
|
|
6:00 p.m.
|
“Make A Joyful Noise…” A Musical Tribute Thomas J. Boyd Chapel
|
| Sunday,
April 18
9:00 a.m
|
Worship
Service
Thomas
J. Boyd Chapel
|
|
Delegates & Trustees
All Delegates & Trustees will receive a formal invitation that contains a response card. The Inaugural Ceremony will occur at the BTi Center in Meymandi Hall. All participants are requested to provide their own academic regalia. Delegates should register at the James E. Cheek Learning Resource Center at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, April 16th. Information regarding robing and the academic procession will be provided there. Guests accompanying Delegates will receive seating information at this location. Trustees should meet in the President’s Conference Room. The Academic Procession will assemble in front of the James E. Cheek Learning Resource Center at 9:00 a.m. Please refer to the material in this package for parking, map, directions, and other information. If you have any question please call 919-546-8300.
Event Parking
A decal for VIP Parking will be mailed to delegates upon receipt of the response card. Upon arrival on campus, please hang the decal on the rear view mirror of the vehicle. Campus police will direct vehicles displaying the decal to the designated VIP Parking Areas.
Inaugural Citations
Resolutions, plaques, letters, and cards should be mailed to the following address:
Presidential Inaugural Program Committee
Shaw University
118 East South Street
Raleigh, North Carolina 27601
Phone: (919) 546-8300
Fax: (919) 546-8301
Contact Information and/or Special Requests:
Kim Butler
Director of the President’s Office
The Presidential Inaugural Steering Committee
Shaw University
118 East South Street
Raleigh, North Carolina 27601
Phone: 919-546-8246
Fax: 919-546-8301
Email: kbutler@shawu.edu
Accommodations
A block of rooms has been reserved at a special rate at the hotels
listed below. Delegates,
alumni, and all guests are responsible for making their
reservations. Please
identify yourself as a Shaw University alumnus or guest to receive
the special rate.
Reservations
must be made by March 26th
| Clarion
Hotel State Capital
320
Hillsborough St.
Raleigh,
NC 27603
919-832-0501
|
$59
|
| The
Innkeeper
2501
S. Saunders St.
(919)
821-0521
|
$39.99
|
| Red
Roof Inn
1813
S. Saunders St.
(919)
833-6005
|
$43.99
|
| Days
Inn South
US
70 Hwy—Garner
(919)
772-8900
|
$45
|
| Fairfield
Inn—Capital Blvd
2641
Appliance Ct.
(919)
856-9800
|
$54
|
| Holiday
Inn-Crabtree
4100
Glenwood Ave.
(919)
782-8600
|
$59
|
| Radisson
Hotel RTP
150
Park Drive
Research
Triangle Park
919-549-8631
|
$56
single
$64
double
|
| LaQuinta
1910
West Park Drive
Research
Triangle Park
919-484-1422
|
$60
double
$67
king
|
| Spring
Hill Suites
Research
Triangle Park
920
Slater Road
Durham,
NC 27703
919-998-9500
|
$79
King suites
(Incl.
Complimentary breakfast)
|
| Red
Roof Inn
3520
Maitland Drive
(919)
231-0200
|
$27.99-$37.99
|
| Sheraton
Imperial
Research
Triangle Park
4700
Emperor Blvd
Durham,
NC 27703
|
$75
hotel level
$105
club level
$150
suites
|
| Embassy
Suites Hotel
Research
Triangle Park
210
Harrison Oaks Blvd.
Cary,
NC 27513
919-677-1840
|
$109
king & double
|
|
CAR RENTAL INFORMATION
Several
major rental car agencies are located in the
Raleigh-Durham
Airport for your convenience.
|
|
Raleigh-Durham
Airport
|
(919)
840-2123
|
|
Enterprise
Rent-A-Car
|
1-800-736-8222
|
|
Budget
Car Rental
|
1-800-527-7000
|
|
Triangle
Rent-A-Car
|
(918)
840-3400
|
|
|
|
Directions
Map
and directions from MapQuest.com >>
Directions to the Raleigh Campus
From 64 West
1. Take 64 West to New Bern Avenue.
2. Stay on New Bern Avenue to the corner of New Bern Avenue and
Blount Street.
3. Turn left onto Blount Street and go eight blocks to SHAW UNIVERSITY.
From 70 East
1. Take 70 East. As it approaches Raleigh, it becomes Glenwood Avenue.
2. Continue on Glenwood Avenue to Morgan Street.
3. Turn left onto Morgan Street. At the corner of Morgan Street
and Blount Street, turn right. Go eight blocks to SHAW UNIVERSITY.
From US #1/401 South
1. Take US #1/401 South. Approaching Raleigh, US #1/401 South will
become Capital Boulevard.
2. Continue on Capital Boulevard to South Street. Turn left. Go
seven blocks to SHAW UNIVERSITY.
From 401 North
1. Take 401 North. Approaching Raleigh from the Fayetteville area,
401 North will become South Saunders Street.
2. From South Saunders Street and South Street, turn raight and
travel approximately five blocks to SHAW UNIVERSITY.
From 50 South
1. From 50 going South, turn left onto Glenwood Avenue (Highway
70). Continue on Glenwood Avenue. Turn left onto Peace Street. Turn
right on Blount Street. Travel approximately six blocks to SHAW
UNIVERSITY.
From 40 North
1. Take 40 North. Turn right onto Hammond Road. Hammond Road becomes
Person Street.
2. Travel six blocks ahead to SHAW UNIVERSITY.
From 40 East
1. On 40 East, go past Cary. After the South Saunders Street exit
there is a sign that reads "Shaw University Next Exit."
Take the next exit, Person Street, Exit 299.
2. Turn left onto Person Street. SHAW UNIVERSITY will be six blocks
ahead.
|
