Shaw University Awards Seven Honorary Degrees During 2003 Founder’s Day Convocation

Photo Caption: (front row - left to right) Dr. Linda A. Smith, Dr. James Hustead Semans, Mrs. Mary Duke Biddle Trent Semans, Dr. Richard W. Williams, Sr. (back row - left to right) President Clarence G. Newsome, Dr. Eddie Levert Sr., Dr. Walter Williams, Dr. Eric Nolan Grant, and Attorney Willie E. Gary

Raleigh, NC -- Shaw University awarded seven Honorary Degrees during its 2003 Founder’s Day Convocation. The Convocation was held at the BTi Center (Meymandi Hall) on October 31st. The following individuals were honored:

MARY T. SEMANS – Philanthropist; former Shaw University Board of Trustees Member; Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Trustees of The Duke Endowment; and Vice Chairman of The Mary Duke Biddle Foundation.

JAMES HUSTEAD SEMANS, M.D. – Philanthropist; Professor Emeritus of Urology at Duke University Medical Center; Founding Chairman, Board of Trustees, North Carolina School of the Arts; Member, The Mary Duke Biddle Foundation Board of Trustees.

THE O’JAYS – Entertainers (Eddie Levert Sr., Walter Williams, and Eric Nolan Grant): World Renowned Entertainers; Winner of 1990 American Music Award for Favorite R&B Group and Duo; Six Platinum and Eight Gold LPs; Nominated for 3 Grammys; Notable songs include: Use Ta Be My Girl; Love Train; I Love Music; Back Stabbers; Put Your Hands Together; and Now That We Found Love.

LINDA A. SMITH – Educator: Teacher; former Principal; former Assistant Principal; former Administrator; and recipient of the Terry Sanford "Teacher of the Year" Award for Randolph County (NC) in 1980 Minister: Director of Christian Education – First Calvary Baptist Church (Sanford); Secretary of Ministerial Council (Deep River Baptist Association).

RICHARD W. WILLIAMS, SR. – Owner/President & CEO of Williams Companies, Inc., International Housing, Inc., Williams Medical Textiles, Inc., and R.J. Transports, Inc.; President and C.E.O. of Value Clothing, Inc. and T.R.C. International, Inc.