Interim President Named for Shaw University

This announcement was made public today. It looks like we have a person with extensive and appropriate experience to watch over us while we move forward.

For Immediate Release
June 2, 2009
Media Contact: Tanya Wiley, WCP Communications®
Phone: 336-765-0049 / 919-546-8250
shawu@wcpcommunications.com


Shaw University Names Dr. Dorothy Cowser Yancy Interim President
(Raleigh, NC) – Attorney Willie E. Gary, Chairman of the Shaw University Board of Trustees, has named Dr. Dorothy Cowser Yancy as Shaw University’s Interim President, effective immediately. Dr. Yancy becomes the first female president in the University’s 144 year history.

“Dr. Yancy’s qualifications as a university president are second to none anywhere in the nation, or in the world for that matter,” said Chairman Gary.

Dr. Yancy served 14 years as the president of Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, NC. While there, she ran two successful capital campaigns, and raised over $145 million for the University. She also increased the institution’s endowment from $14 million to $53 million.

While under her leadership, Johnson C. Smith became the first Historically Black College or University to issue laptop computers to all students. She also led the University through two accreditations, and helped the Business and Social Work programs receive their initial accreditations.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and social science from Johnson C. Smith University, a Master of Arts degree in history from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and a Ph.D. in political science from Atlanta University (Georgia), with further study at the University of Singapore, Hampton University, Northeastern Illinois University (Chicago), Northwestern University, Georgia Institute of Technology, and the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Dr. Yancy has earned numerous awards and received countless recognitions from a variety of groups. She was the first woman to become the Benjamin E. Mayes Lecturer at Morehouse College. In 2008, she was inducted into the Women’s History Hall of Fame by the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs and the Levine Museum of the South.

For more information, contact Tanya Wiley at 336-345-2628.