Dear Shaw University Community,
I wish to
express my sincerest appreciation for all you have done to support Shaw
University’s ongoing efforts to overcome the challenges presented by the
COVID-19 pandemic. The unwavering dedication shown by our alumni during this
emergency truly has been gratifying. I am grateful to the National Alumni
Association of Shaw University led by Dr. Kalvin Wall, the Raleigh-Wake Alumni
chapter, as well as all individual chapters around the country for their
commitment. Likewise, our donors and partners have remained steadfast in the
face of tremendous uncertainty, and we are most grateful. It is my privilege to
serve as President of an institution that claims such an amazing constituency.
Your support
made it possible for the University to provide emergency assistance for
students who experienced unforeseen financial difficulties because of the shift
in University operations due to COVID-19. The Emergency Student Assistance Fund
has provided much-needed support to hundreds of Shaw students since March 26,
and we continue to process requests daily. Your gifts have helped students
obtain groceries, pay bills, gain access to technology and Internet service for
online classes, deal with unexpected travel, housing or storage expenses, and
more. Your donations make an impact on
students’ lives in a very real and immediate way.
We all had looked forward to making this Mother’s Day a
double celebration with our graduates taking a well-deserved moment on the
stage to receive their degrees and their families happily cheering from the
audience. In order to protect all members of the Shaw community from the spread
of COVID-19 we postponed the graduation ceremonies to everyone’s disappointment.
However, we will acknowledge our graduates virtually this month, and we look
forward to celebrating with them when they march on December 12!
As the State of North Carolina and
public health officials provide further guidance regarding the ongoing response
to the COVID-19 pandemic, we will continue to provide updates through every
appropriate communication channel.
Thank you again for all you do to
enable Shaw University to fulfill its mission.
Sincerely,
President Paulette R. Dillard
Student Emergency Assistance Fund
Note: Your designated gift
to the Emergency Student
Assistance Fund cannot be directed to a specific student(s).