“I am delighted to accept this award in recognition of Shaw’s continued and historic legacy in advancing the rights of the underserved,” said Shaw Interim President Dr. Gaddis Faulcon. “Now and beyond, we will continue to develop student leaders who stand for social justice and provide a voice for those in need.”
Shaw is the oldest Historically Black University in the South. It was founded in 1865 by Dr. Henry Martin Tupper to provide literacy training, the study of the Bible and minister training, and the study of the educational process and teacher training to newly freed slaves.
For 150 years, Shaw has dedicated itself to engaging young leaders in the struggles for social justice and civil and human rights. It is the birthplace of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and the meeting location for numerous civil rights strategic planning sessions that have been instrumental in advancing civil rights in North Carolina and throughout the United States.
“This is the birthplace wherever you talk about higher education and leadership in the African American heritage,” said Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II at the university’s Founder’s Day Convocation in October. “Shaw is our mother.”
“We do not recognize Shaw just for its legacy, what it has done in decades past; we recognize Shaw for what it does today, under Dr. Faulcon’s leadership, to train, inspire, educate and nurture student activists. Shaw leads by example. We are honored to bestow this noble award on our mother university — Shaw,” said Rev. Dr. Barber.
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About the North Carolina NAACP
Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization. Its members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities. The NC Conference of NAACP Branches is 70 years old this year and is made up of over 100 Adult, Youth and College NAACP units across the state, convenes more than 160 members of the Historic Thousands on Jones Street (HKonJ) People’s Assembly Coalition, and is the architect of the Moral Monday & Forward Together Movement.
About Shaw University
Shaw University was founded in 1865 and is the first historically black university in the South. This year, Shaw University is celebrating its 150th (sesquicentennial) Anniversary. Shaw is a private, co-educational liberal arts university that awards degrees at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The primary mission of the University is to advance knowledge, facilitate student learning and achievement, to enhance the spiritual and ethical values of its students, and to transform a diverse community of learners into future global leaders.
