Clarence Newsome Steps Down as President of Shaw University

Clarence G. Newsome has stepped down as president of Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina. It is clear to all observers that the university’s dire financial situation was the reason that the board of trustees and Dr. Newsome agreed that a change in leadership had to be made. In announcing the resignation, the board of trustees stated that the university was $20 million in debt. Each of the university’s 40 trustees has pledged $50,000 to retire $2 million of the university’s debt.

Dr. Newsome has led Shaw since 2003. Previously he was dean of the divinity school at Howard University. He holds bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, all from Duke University.