Shaw University has produced outstanding professionals who have contributed to the advancement of society. Shaw graduates include several college presidents, a number of academic vice presidents, judges, lawyers, recording artists, school principals, pastors, teachers of the year, a president of the United Nations General Assembly, and other notable persons, such as:

• Ella Baker (1927), civil rights activist & co-founder of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC)

• Dr. C.T. Vivian (1972), became the director of Seminary Without Walls at Shaw University Divinity School in Raleigh, North Carolina, Dean of Divinity at Shaw University Seminary, and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom Award

• Willie E. Gary (1971), multi-millionaire attorney, motivational speaker, businessman

• James “Bonecrusher” Smith (1975), 1st heavyweight boxing champion to earn a college degree

• Shirley Caesar (1984), Grammy Award-Winning Gospel singer

• Shawn “CoCo” McMillan (1995), 2010 Stellar Award Winner

• Gladys Knight (1966), Singer, Gladys Knight & the Pips, member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, received Honorary Doctorate

• Van Green (1973), NFL Player

• Lee Johnson (1975), President & CEO of Mechanics & Farmers Bank

• Ronald "Flip" Murray (2002), Professional basketball player

• Ida Van Smith (1939), One of the first African American female pilots and flight instructors in the United States 

• Angie Brooks (1950), The only African female President of the United Nations General Assembly. She was also the second woman from any nation to head the United Nations

• Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., D.D. (1934), Congressman from New York, 1945–71

• James E. Cheek (1955), Former President of Shaw University, President Emeritus of Howard University, 1983 recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom

• Luther Jordan (1997), Former member of the North Carolina Senate from 1993 to 2002

• Sheila P Moses (1983), Best selling author, nominated for the National Book Award & NAACP Image Award 

• William L Pollard (1967), President of the Medgar Evers College (2009–2013)

• James E. Shepard (1894), Founder and President of North Carolina Central University

• Edawn Coughman (2010), Offensive Lineman and OT for the Buffalo Bills

Shaw boasts many “firsts”:

• The first college in the nation to offer a four-year medical program.
• The first historically Black college in the nation to open its doors to women.
• The first historically Black college in North Carolina to be granted an “A” rating by the State Department of Public Instruction. 
• The founder of North Carolina Central University and the first presidents of Elizabeth City State and North Carolina A&T Universities were all Shaw graduates.
• The third president of Fayetteville State University was also a Shaw graduate.

Dr. Paulette R. Dillard, Ph.D., currently serves as the University’s President. Click to view more information about Dr. Dillard.

Shaw continues to produce outstanding professionals who contribute to the advancement of American society.