Shaw University

Martel A. Perry

Terry Spicer
Office of Public Relations

For Immediate Release

Shaw Man & Shaw Woman Induction Ceremony Welcomes New Members

Raleigh, NC –(December 2, 2005) The Fall 2005 Undergraduate Induction Ceremony was held Wednesday, November 30^th at 7:00 p.m. in the Willie E. Gary Ballroom of the Student Union.

There was a special feel of accomplishment in the room filled with new inductees, beaming parents, and administrators, faculty and students.  Fabrice Blackson served as Mistress of Ceremonies for the evening.  Donald Mitchell, Jr., President of the Shaw Man & Shaw Woman Society welcomed everyone to the ceremony and Dr. Quincy Scott, Jr., Dean of the Chapel, led a prayer.  Dr. Clarence G. Newsome, President of Shaw University, extended greetings and stated, "From the very first moment that I walked into this room, there was something spiritual in the air.  You can actually feel the sanctity of this very special occasion."  Addressing the inductees with passion and vigor he said, "Tonight is a marvelous symbol of

your journey of excellence and tenacity and the Shaw University family salutes this milestone accomplishment as you are welcomed into the Shaw Man & Shaw Woman Society tonight."

Raymond Moore, Treasurer, explained the importance of the occasion and Leon D. Parker, a founding member and Board of Trustees member, provided the Society’s history.  Before he spoke, Leon paused and said, "Excuse me.  Tonight is a continued realization of a collective dream and I’m extremely touched that it has been realized."  The following synopsis was taken from his eloquent statement:

"In the summer of 2004, Martel Perry, Executive Vice President of Shaw University, asked Leon D. Parker during a casual conversation, "Who are you?" This one question sparked ensuing conversations centered on defining how one would distinguish a Shaw University student after graduation. In the midst of a world where just about anything goes, where people are sloppy in their morals, values and convictions, the words ethics, morality and principle are not widely used. A group of students arose to answer that question. They decided to embrace the highest and the best that God had for them. They considered themselves to be persons of principle who established a high code of values and who would consistently live according to their values. Similar to the Morehouse mystique, the Shaw Man & Shaw Woman Society was created by a group of pioneering young men and women looking to rise to a higher level of excellence. … The Shaw Man & Shaw Woman Society strives to be a roadmap for character, citizenship and individual development while here at Shaw University. By joining this Society, each is expressing a desire to strive towards a higher plane of excellence here at Shaw where our administrative motto is "Strides to Excellence: Only the Best!"

Extremely proud, Mr. Perry came to the podium to make a special presentation of rings to the founding members of the Society. He said, "The beautifully crafted rings, made of white gold, are symbolic in nature." He delivered on the promise made to award them to the founders. "It is important for you to know who you are and whose you are." He paraphrased a scripture that challenged the "Society members to raise up a new generation of members of excellence who would know that membership in this prestigious organization is representative of the highest regard." 

The Ceremony began as Idoreyin Montague read the Pilgrim biographies and Donald Mitchell, Jr. gave the Charge to the inductees.  James McCleave pinned the new members and Donald Mitchell, Jr. presented each member with a certificate. The 2005 class of Pilgrim inductees for the Fall 2005 are Dominique Broadnax and Debbie Norris.  The inductees into the Society are: Annette Tillery, Antonio L. Merrick, Clinette C. Eley, Ebony Johnson, Gary Hines, John E. Scott, Keshia Staton, Patrice Gist, Telvin Debnam, William Britton, Antonio Bradley, Cheryl Gatling, Cody L. Logan, Evelyn Herbin, Jennifer Davis, Justin Moore, Lloyd Knight, II, Shameka Johnson, Wesley Brooks and Annie Thompson.

Special recognition was made by the Society members to Suzanne France, former Administrative Assistant to the Executive Vice President, for her outstanding contributions to the Society.  Recognition was also given to President and Mrs. Newsome and Mr. Perry and his wife Dr. Irene Perry, Special Assistant to the President for Church Relations. Special remarks were made and a closing prayer was given by Leon D. Parker. 

Congratulations to the new members and to the current Society members for a marvelous evening that left each of us in attendance proud to be a part of the Shaw University family!

"Strides to Excellence: Only the Best!"

World Translation Click On Language and enter Website http://www.martelanseperry.com

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