When you sit and think about Shaw University what comes to mind? Like others, the first thing that probably comes to mind is all the rich history that lies here at Shaw. Shaw has had monumental events happen over time. Being the oldest historically Black college in the South, and the founding location for Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), Shaw has always made its mark. Keeping up with tradition, Shaw University has yet again made a mark in history by naming its first female President.
Dr. McClaurin was welcomed with open arms from the women at and around Shaw, including St. Augustine’s College female president, Dr. Dianne Boardley Suber. Dr. Boardley presented Dr. McClaurin with a basket filled with an assortment of products that would be helpful to her in her new ‘home’.
The American Council on Education (ACE) says that 23% of college presidents are women, a marked improvement over 1986’s 10%. Dr. McClaurin being Shaw’s 15th president, Shaw has finally joined in the percentage. Feminist groups are finally getting something that they always have been fighting for, which is women to progress in the professional world. Is the male dominated professional world finally moving over and making room for women???