On April 16th Shaw University faced a natural disaster that would change everything. A reported EF-3 level tornado caused havoc across the city of Raleigh, and more importantly on Shaw’s campus.
The damages the campus faced included shattered windows in the dorms and buildings , uprooted trees, and the destruction of the Willie E. Gary Student Union. The student union took the biggest hit of all leaving not only broken windows but also the removal of the roof. Although the tornado left students shaken up, fortunately no students were injured.
With all the damages on campus, administration was left with the difficult decision of what to do about classes. Dr. McClaurin announced at noon on April 17th that the University would be closed for the remainder of the semester, and students were to make arrangements to go home immediately.
Residence life and the University helped students to make arrangements to return home. Alumni and the community came together to sponsor various students who needed help with purchasing a ticket home, and made hotels available for students to stay in until they were scheduled to go home.
Once the school was closed, graduating seniors became concerned about what would happen as far as graduation. The University announced that commencement would still take place on May 7th at Dorton Arena. Students will be graded on the work they have accomplished as of April 16th, and professors are giving the students the option to complete any coursework online.
Construction and cleaning crews have started working on campus, and it will be later announced as to whether the University will hold summer school on campus or only online.