Shaw University
Raleigh, NC
Quick Facts
“Pro Christo Et Humanitate”(For Christ and Humanity)
Data from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) & U.S. Dept. of Education
About Shaw University
The South's first HBCU, Shaw University has pioneered opportunity and leadership since 1865.
Shaw University stands as a beacon of education and a testament to resilience, proudly holding the title of the oldest historically Black university to offer courses in the Southern United States. Established on December 1, 1865, Shaw has a rich legacy of breaking barriers and fostering academic excellence within its vibrant urban campus in Raleigh, North Carolina. Guided by its motto, "Pro Christo Et Humanitate" (For Christ and Humanity), the university provides a nurturing environment where students are prepared to lead and serve.
Historically, Shaw University has been a trailblazer, establishing monumental "firsts" in African-American higher education. It was home to Estey Hall, the first building constructed in the U.S. solely for the higher education of African-American women. Furthermore, Shaw pioneered the South's first four-year medical school for African-American doctors and the nation's first law school for African-Americans, leaving an indelible mark on legal and medical professions. Though these professional schools are no longer active, their legacy underscores Shaw's enduring commitment to comprehensive education.
Today, Shaw University continues to cultivate a dynamic student experience. As a private institution with approximately 1,067 students, it offers a personalized educational journey. The university is a co-founding member of the NCAA Division II Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), the oldest African American athletic association in the U.S., with a strong tradition of championship victories in various sports. From its historic architecture, including the Italianate Estey Hall and Romanesque Revival Leonard Hall, to its energetic campus life, Shaw University invites prospective students to join a community rich in history, dedicated to academic achievement, and focused on shaping future leaders.
Key Highlights
- ✦Founded on December 1, 1865, making it the oldest HBCU to offer courses in the Southern United States.
- ✦Home to Estey Hall, the first building constructed in the U.S. for the higher education of African-American women (1873).
- ✦Established the first four-year medical school to train African-American doctors in the South (Leonard Medical School, 1882).
- ✦Opened the Shaw University Law School in 1888, the first of its kind for African-Americans in the country.
- ✦A co-founding member of the NCAA Division II Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), the oldest African American athletic association in the U.S.
- ✦Urban campus spanning 65 acres in Raleigh, North Carolina, featuring historic Second Empire, Italianate, and Romanesque Revival architecture.
- ✦Serves approximately 1,067 students, with President Paulette Dillard at the helm.
Timeline
Schools & Colleges
3 notable schools within Shaw University
Leonard Medical School
Established in 1882, it was the first four-year medical school to train African-American doctors in the South and the first medical school in the state to offer a four-year curriculum. It closed in 1918.
Leonard School of Pharmacy
Established in 1882 alongside the Medical School, contributing to early professional training for African-Americans in healthcare.
Shaw University Law School
Opened on December 11, 1888, as the first law school for African-Americans in the country. It focused on common law, equity, admiralty, and even legal shorthand. It closed in 1916 after graduating 57 students.
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