[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 60 (Friday, April 13, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E458]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    REMEMBERING DR. TALBERT O. SHAW

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DAVID E. PRICE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 13, 2018

  Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
life and legacy of the former president of Shaw University, Dr. Talbert 
O. Shaw, who passed away in January and will be honored at a memorial 
service in Raleigh on April 14. Lisa and I extend our condolences to 
Dr. Shaw's family, friends, and many admirers in the Shaw University 
community and beyond.
  Born in Jamaica as the ninth of ten children, Dr. Shaw began his 
career as an ordained minister before moving to the United States in 
the 1950s to pursue higher education. He earned a doctorate in ethics 
from the University of Chicago and taught religion and ethics there for 
a decade before being asked to serve as Interim Dean of the Howard 
University Divinity School. He next became Dean of Arts and Sciences at 
Morgan State University. In 1987 he was called to serve as President of 
Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina--the oldest historically 
black university in the south and the birthplace of the Student 
Nonviolent Coordinating Committee during the Civil Rights Movement.
  Dr. Shaw served as President for fifteen crucial years in the 
school's history, from 1987 to 2002. He led successful efforts to 
reverse the university's financial difficulties, significantly 
increased the endowment, doubled enrollment, renovated numerous 
buildings on campus, and constructed what is now called the Talbert O. 
Shaw Living Learning Center. Dr. Shaw also developed the ``Strides for 
Excellence: Why Not the Best?'' campaign, a student empowerment and 
community involvement initiative that helped propel Shaw to the 
national renown it enjoys today.
  I was first elected to Congress at about the same time Dr. Shaw began 
his tenure at Shaw. Early on, at a time when appropriations earmarks 
could still be secured for worthy purposes, we collaborated in the 
restoration of historic Estey Hall, the first structure built for the 
higher education of African American women in the United States. I 
developed great respect for him. He took the helm at Shaw when the 
school's future was highly uncertain, and by virtue of his remarkable 
vision, dedication, and the credibility he earned, enlisted many 
partners in bringing the school to health and charting a positive 
future course.
  Dr. Shaw's dedication and leadership also extended to the broader 
Raleigh community. He engaged with local organizations such as Rotary 
International and the Chamber of Commerce. He renovated Shaw's chapel 
with the help of local Baptist churches and strengthened ties with the 
General Baptist State Convention. He had a serious demeanor, which 
reflected his steady sense of purpose, but that was combined with a 
personal warmth and a gift for collaboration and colleagueship--all in 
all, rare qualities of leadership.
  On behalf of my constituents and other North Carolinians, I join with 
Dr. Shaw's family, his many friends and admirers, and members of the 
communities he served in mourning his passing and giving thanks for his 
exemplary life of leadership and public service.

                          ____________________