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Pfeiffer University has announced the naming of the Jerry L. Shelby Center for Undergraduate Instruction to honor Shelby’s lifelong pursuit of knowledge and commitment to use his education to better the lives of others.
“Jerry Shelby models the values of servant leadership in so many ways,” said Jo Ellen Newsome, vice president of institutional advancement at Pfeiffer. “He is passionate about education, and passionate about helping others. We are proud to honor him in this way.”

Shelby, a 1990 graduate of Pfeiffer, lives in Salisbury, and has also established the Jerry L. Shelby Business Endowed Scholarship in support of Pfeiffer University Business majors.
Unable to attend college immediately following high school, Shelby worked at a local factory while continuing his education and improving himself. He started with a home correspondence business management diploma, attended college in the evening to earn three business associate degrees, a bachelor’s degree in business management and then a master of business administration degree from Pfeiffer College, 30 years after graduating from high school. Each degree was earned with honors. Shelby also earned three professional certifications in the Supply Chain Management field, started new departments and plants, and was project chairman for major company projects throughout his career.
He embraces education as a lifelong, continuous process, and still takes classes and tests in his volunteer activities.
Shelby’s life has been a model of servant leadership. He is a decorated member of the Jaycees organization which he credits with providing leadership training, community service projects, and lessons on running projects that he still uses today. He was deeply influenced by the Jaycee Creed, which states: “Service to Humanity is the Best Work of Life.” His experience as a Jaycee led him to develop three personal philosophies that have guided his life and work: If you see a problem, you own it until it gets fixed, even if you are not responsible for it; if you are going to do something, then be committed to doing it better than it has ever been done before; and continue to improve yourself and the things with which you are involved.
His three philosophies have led him to serve as president or chairman of nearly everything with which he has become involved, and he has been honored with many awards, including local, district, state and national recognitions. Some accolades include Ohio Outstanding Community Leader of the Year, Ohio and National Jaycee of the Year, Ohio and National Outstanding Committee Chairman, JCI Senator (Jaycee’s highest award), two Ohio MH&MR Project of the Year Awards, NC AARP first Legacy Award, AARP Community Service Award, AARP Andrus Award (AARP highest award), NC Distinguished Service Award – Outstanding Senior Citizen, NCSCA Earnest Messer Award, NC Governor’s Award for Volunteer Service, Rowan County Council on Aging Service to Seniors Award, Rufty/Holmes Senior Center Hall of Fame, and Limestone College Outstanding Alumni Award.
A volunteer for more than 60 years, Shelby has been an advocate for victim’s rights, judicial reform, the elderly, the disabled and the disadvantaged. He has invested countless hours to being a voice to help thousands of people: more than 2,000 clients assisted with Medicare and Social Security, 24 years of state and local AARP advocacy, and volunteer service as a driver safety instructor, a tax-aide, and as a Centralina Area Agency on Aging Ambassador. As a Rowan County Senior Tar Heel Legislature Representative, he has presented 14 resolutions to the North Carolina legislature to make laws helping seniors and other citizens.
Shelby is the author of “Victims Have No Rights: A Victim’s (Pro SE) Experience with Insurance Companies and the Unjust Judicial System,” several organizational histories, “how to” technical manuals and newspaper articles. He has also developed a website: www.victimshavenorights.com.
“I hope my legacy will be people seeing me volunteering and that helping others will inspire others to be involved. They can say, ‘if Jerry can do this, so can I,’ ” Shelby said.