Regent Began the Fall Semester by
Dedicating the Newly Named Shaw Chapel
On August 28, just two days after the start of the fall semester and a new academic year, Regent University dedicated its chapel to businessman, investor and philanthropist Jack Shaw and his wife, Jane. The Shaws traveled to campus from Greenville, South Carolina, where Jack serves as chairman and CEO of Shaw Resources, a real-estate and property-management corporation that develops sites for shopping centers, restaurants, office facilities, banks, and other purposes.
Mr. Shaw is also a former South Carolina state legislator with a passion for educational institutions and student scholarship. He lives by the motto, “Distinguish yourself by your lifestyle of giving,” and has made every effort to accomplish this in all areas of his life. Shaw also authored the popular and powerful book Little by Little: A Journey to Success and Significance for Life. His heart for growing spiritual life in every sphere of influence is seen in his dedicated service on boards of several universities, international ministries and nonprofit organizations.
“Jack Shaw has been a dear friend for decades,” said Regent’s founder, chancellor and CEO, Dr. M.G. “Pat” Robertson. “His father, Erby Shaw, ardently supported Regent and its mission to train Christian leaders. Today’s dedication reflects the Shaw family’s generous continued support of Regent University’s extraordinary mission to prepare the next generation to impact the world.”
Jane Shaw shares her husband’s interests and passions for saving and investing money to build the kingdom of God. She works alongside her husband at Shaw Resources and prides herself on being “mostly a cheerleader” to her family. Together, Jack and Jane have three grown children and seven grandchildren.
In 2016, the Shaws started an endowed scholarship at Regent to honor Jack’s parents W.E. Erby and Mittie Shaw. Shortly before the dedication ceremony began, Mr. Shaw told Impact that his widowed grandmother, even more than his beloved parents, inspired him to follow Christ.
“It was the fruit of her commitment,” he remembers. “I was 13 years old when I realized that I had to make a strong and clear commitment. One Sunday evening after church, I was in bed. The lights were out. It was dark. I slipped out of the bed on my knees and said, ‘Lord, I give You my life, if You can use it.’ And I accepted Him, but more importantly He accepted me. … From that time, there was no turning back.”
When asked about the importance of Christian leadership and why believers should train to make an impact in every academic discipline, Shaw replied, “You can see what’s happening in our country today. Something has to change. And those of us who know have to be God’s instruments to unashamedly step forward and say, ‘This is the way, walk ye in it,’” (Isaiah 30:21).
As part of the campus-wide dedication ceremony celebrating the newly named Shaw Chapel, Regent welcomed many members of the Shaw family, along with other VIPs. Joining Robertson in honoring the Shaws at the ceremony were past and present members of Regent’s Board of Trustees; Dr. Gerson Moreno-Riaño, executive vice president of Academic Affairs for Regent University; and Mr. Gordon Robertson, CEO of the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN). Hundreds of Regent students, faculty and staff also attended, along with friends of the honored guests.
The Shaw Chapel will continue serving as the center of worship, prayer and spiritual life at Regent University for thousands of students, faculty, staff and friends. Constructed to establish a clear campus symbol of the Christian faith, the chapel hosts important on-campus functions, including weekly chapel services, prayer and worship services, weddings, and other events, including CBN gatherings and community activities.
The dedication ceremony began at noon with a moving performance of You Say by the Regent University Singers. Moreno-Riaño welcomed those in attendance to the “historic occasion” before Mr. Phillip Walker, chairman of the university’s board of trustees, introduced his longtime friend and colleague, Jack Shaw.
“I feel at home here,” Shaw said. “I have a love for this place. My love was preceded by my father Erby’s love. … Jane and I are honored to be here today.”
He thanked Robertson for more than 40 years of friendship, for his inspiration, and for his obedience to God’s call and vision. Shaw added that Robertson’s vision is expanding, global and contagious. He prays it’s a vision that will be fulfilled: “What God has done here at Regent is only a foretaste of what He’s going to do. What He is going to do depends upon His people’s obedience to Him. … I encourage each of us to always be obedient to God and His calling upon us. God still speaks today!”
In closing, Shaw insisted that “listening to God” is what the dedication ceremony and other events of the day are all about. “How do you explain Regent University?” he asked. “One word — God! God is here. God will be here. Regent is a hallowed place. The people he has called here in leadership and to fill the classrooms are a chosen people. May the Shekinah never leave this place — a place of vision, a place of legacies.”
Robertson closed the ceremony in prayer, saying: “Father, we thank You for this moment. We pray Your blessing on the Shaw Chapel and that the people who come here may sense the anointing and the Spirit of the living God. May this gift of dedication go on and on to train many, many thousands of people who will grow up serving You.”
Immediately after the ceremony, Robertson was the keynote speaker at the first founder’s chapel service of the new academic year. Approximately 1,000 students, faculty and guests filled Shaw Chapel to hear the university’s founder, chancellor and CEO urge them to “change the world!”
To schedule a visit to the Regent University campus to see Shaw Chapel, call 757.352.4727 or go to regent.edu/visit.
