Wesleyan to award Jean Adams Shaw '52 an honorary degree

Jean Adams Shaw '52, well known to the Skidmore community for her service in numerous class volunteer roles, will be awarded an honorary degree by Wesleyan University on May 22.

Her husband, Ralph "Biff" Shaw, a 1951 Wesleyan graduate, also will be awarded an honorary degree.

"The Shaws have provided remarkable examples of service to Wesleyan and to the greater Middletown community in a myriad of ways," said the university. "They have been bridge builders between Wesleyan and the Middletown community, and numerous local organizations have benefited from their dedication."

Jean Shaw worked at Wesleyan for 35 years, beginning as a gallery assistant in the Department of Art and ultimately becoming director of the Center for the Arts. She also has served as president of the Friends of the Davison Art Center at Wesleyan and as a member of the Wesleyan Landmarks Advisory Board for more than two decades.

She served on the advisory board of Wesleyan's community-focused Green Street Arts Center, where both she and her husband are mentor-volunteers, and has participated in such community organizations as the Middletown Foundation for the Arts and the Middlesex United Way.

She also has found time to volunteer in numerous capacities for Skidmore. The lead fund-raiser for her 50 ^th reunion class, she has served as a class agent, is currently serving as class Friends of the Presidents chair, and is a member of the National FOP Committee.

"To my mind, honorary degrees are given to individuals who espouse the core values and ideals of your institution and I can think of few who have done so better than Jean and her husband Biff," said Michael Casey, vice president for advancement at Skidmore and former director of development at Wesleyan. "I've had the pleasure of working with them both and their commitment to others, their unstinting service, and their doggedness and creativity in finding ways over, around, and through obstacles and challenges is second to none. And always, always, done with great cheerfulness and respect. Well deserved indeed!"

Biff Shaw, a 1951 graduate of Wesleyan and a leader in the Middletown banking community, has devoted many years to community service. At Middlesex Hospital, he has served as director, chairman of the board, and vice chairman. He also was a founder of Middlesex County Community Foundation and has been director, chairman, and secretary. He has had numerous civic activities that range from school building committees to local economic development to oversight of inland wetlands, including service for eight years as chairman of the Middletown Planning and Zoning Commission. He also chaired Wesleyan's National Alumni Fund for two years and has chaired his class reunion activities since graduation.

In 2002, the Shaws were both recognized by the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce as Citizens of the Year. In 2006, Wesleyan recognized them with its Baldwin Medal, the highest award of the Alumni Association.