University News 

School Named in Honor of Shaw Trustee and Alumnus

September 27, 2012 – Shaw University Trustee and alumnus Dr. John H. Lucas ‘40, was recently honored at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Lucas Middle School in Durham, NC. The school was named in honor of Dr. Lucas who served as Shaw’s interim president from 1986 to 1987. 

Honored guests, Lucas Middle School Principal, the Superintendent of Durham Public Schools, Board of Education members and the Chairman of the Durham County Commissioners took part in a ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the official opening of the newly constructed middle school.  Also in attendance were family members and friends of the Lucas families. 

The state-of-the-art school bears the name of longtime Durham educator Dr. Lucas and the late Senator Jeanne Hopkins Lucas, a staunch supporter of education in Durham and the first black woman to serve in the North Carolina Senate. 

Families of both Dr. Lucas and Senator Lucas were recognized during the ceremony.  Dr. Lucas shared his thoughts on having a school named in his honor while Deborah Breese, the niece of Senator Jeanne Lucas, gave remarks on her family’s behalf.

Lucas Middle School will employ Project Based Learning as an interdisciplinary instructional focus and is equipped with cutting-edge technology including wired and wireless infrastructure, cable and BrightLink interactive technology in all classrooms. 

Portions of this story originally appeared on www.dpsnc.net. Photo courtesy of Durham Herald Sun.