Shaw University Names Three New Trustees to Board

Dr. Tony W. Barr, Sr., Mr. Isaac Wheeler, Sr., Mr. Ian Finley join governing body of historic HBCU

Raleigh, NC — (June 12, 2020) – Shaw University today announced that three new members will join its Board of Trustees effective July 1. The new Trustees who will be joining the University’s governing body are: Dr. Tony W. Barr, Sr., Executive Secretary-Treasurer for the General Baptist State Convention of North Carolina (GBSCNC); Mr. Isaac Wheeler, Sr., General Manager of the Wake County ABC Board, business owner and Shaw alumnus; and Mr. Ian Finley, 2020-2021 President of the Shaw University Student Government Association.

Dr. Joseph N. Bell, Jr., Chairman of the Board of Trustees, said, “On behalf of the entire Board, I welcome our new colleagues and the new perspective they will lend to the governance of this historic institution. Serving as a Trustee is a tremendous privilege and responsibility, and I am confident that the strengths they each bring will benefit Shaw University greatly.”
Dr. Barr serves as the Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the GBSCNC), the oldest Baptist convention in North America. His background includes both corporate and pastoral experience, having spent nearly 20 years as a business development and sales executive before entering ministry full time. He has over 16 years of pastoral experience, and currently serves as Senior Pastor of Elm Grove Baptist Church in Reidsville, NC. Dr. Barr earned a Bachelor of Science in business information systems from Winston-Salem State University, an Associate of Applied Science from Wilks Community College, the Doctor of Ministry from Virginia Union University, the Master of Divinity from Apex School of Theology, and the Master of Christian Education and Pastoral Counseling from the Guilford School of Theology.

Mr. Isaac B. Wheeler, Sr., Shaw University class of ’78, currently serves as General Manager for the Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Board of Wake County, with annual revenues of $160 million. He also is the owner of Wheeler & Wheeler Realty, which has served Wake County and the surrounding area for over 32 years. Wheeler is a member of the National Association of Realtors and Excelsior Masonic Lodge. He is a 45-year member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., a lifetime member of the National Alumni Association for Shaw University, the Raleigh Wake Alumni Association, and the Shaw Booster Club.

Mr. Ian Finley is a graduating senior majoring in political science and is the Student Government Association president for 2020-2021. Mr. Finley is an honor student hailing from the Bahamas. He reinstated Shaw’s International Students Association during his freshman year and is dedicated to fostering diversity on the University’s campus. He also is a proud member of the Platinum Sound Marching Band. The Finley Administration of the SGA will emphasize leadership, accountability, credibility and engagement.