On September 9, Shaw University introduced Dr. Irma McClaurin as the university’s 15th president in CC Spalding Gymnasium. Dr. McClaurin, the former Associate Vice President at the University of Minnesota promised to make fundraising one of her top priorites.
“One thing that caught the universities eye was that the lady can raise money,” said Willie E. Gary, Shaw alumnus and chairman of the board of trustees. Aside from her fundraising accomplishments, Gary was equally impressed with her long standing history as a grassroots scholar, poet and administrator. “The university needs someone who can knock on doors and knows which doors she should be knocking on,” said Gary.
The university program included speeches from leading Raleigh and North Carolinian officials, as well as performances by the university choir and marching band. Morning classes were cancelled, leading a faculty, alumni and student filled gymnasium.
Dr. McClaurin addressed her presidency as the fulfillment of her longtime dream of running a university. She believes that although she was educated at predominately white colleges and universities, she and other students have benefitted from the trails blazed by those who attended Shaw, and other historically black institutions during segregated times.
“We went through doors that had previously been closed,” Dr. McClaurin said. She also noted that working for Shaw was a way to give back to a historic and rich tradition. “I’m proud to be here,” she said.