Remembering Dr. Newton

Many of Dr. Newton’s colleagues and friends shared memories of him.

The constant star… “Dr. Newton fought to make Black American Studies (BAMS) and its values find a footing at UD, to educate all of the students (white and Black) who went through UD. As expected, he paid special attention to Black students. He was the constant star to all those Black students who walked through the corridors at UD and felt as if they were in a foreign unwelcoming land. Dr. Jim Newton was the guide, instructor, the one able to decipher the mysteries of academia, the one who interceded on their behalf; the one who insisted that they had to study, work hard and excel even with all the challenges. He remained committed to opening doors at UD. He continued to challenge UD to expand the  hiring of African American faculty and staff and enrolment of students. There are thousands of students spread across this country and beyond, who in one way or another, sat at the feet of Dr. Jim Newton to be taught, tutored, guided, affirmed and informed…. He will be remembered by all of us whose lives he touched and made better. He remains in our minds and, more importantly, he remains in our hearts. In this way, therefore, Dr. Jim Newton still lives and he will always live.”  – W.O. Maloba, chair and professor, Department of Africana Studies, and Edward L. Ratledge Professor of Africana Studies and History

Embrace excellence… “I was so fortunate to have been able to share my educational and professional journey with Dr. James E. Newton for almost 50 years. Starting in my junior year at UD, I took two Black American studies classes with Doc. He called me to task when he felt I was not giving my best effort in one of his classes. That was a definite wake-up call for me. I also knew that given his involvement in the community, as well as the fact that he had met my mother, it would not be surprising that he would run into her somewhere and “happen to mention” that I was a good student but could do more.  It was because he cared that he wanted the best. In addition to his formal role as educator, he also assumed the role of mentor to scores of Black students and professionals—demanding that regardless of our position that we reject mediocrity and embrace excellence. Many will tell you that it was Dr. Newton who helped them navigate through the many challenges we faced in our quest for that degree. He was so excited when he learned that I would be returning to campus years later, first as an assistant dean and later a continuing faculty member. I would run into him both on and off campus, and no matter where it was, he always had a ‘Newton gem’ to share with me. But even when we became colleagues, I could/would not call him ‘Jim’—he was always ‘Doc.’As I thought about what Doc meant to many of us, I focused on one of his pieces that I own which was purchased during a visit to his home. It is an artist proof called ‘Bird Sanctuary. The title seemed so appropriate: A sanctuary is a safe space that provides protection from danger or a difficult situation thereby promoting the survival of those needing protection. Doc was very aware of our need for ‘sanctuary’ as students and employees trying to co-exist in a place that was not always welcoming or supportive of ‘different birds.’ Whether in his office, walking across campus, sitting in his office or anywhere in the community, he would always listen and challenge us to consider ‘the big picture.’ He also always reminded us that no matter the challenges, we were to keep our eyes on the prize while also embracing the importance of building and maintaining a sense of ‘community.’ There are so many people who have their own Newton stories—but what they all have in common was his value as a caring, compassionate, knowledgeable and highly respected educator, artist and man. -- Norma Gaines-Hanks, retired associate professor of human development and family sciences

Changed the University for the better… “Jim Newton changed the University of Delaware for the better. He was a highly accomplished artist, a creative thinker and an award-winning engaged scholar. He was recognized on campus and in the wider community for his contributions to multicultural enrichment, civil rights and racial justice. He was a tireless advocate for the University to fully embody the values of diversity, inclusion and educational equity. He helped develop and led the Department of Black American Studies, now Africana Studies. As chair of the Commission to Promote Racial and Cultural Diversity, he advocated numerous changes to UD policies and programs to increase student and faculty diversity. His greatest influence was as a teacher and mentor. He was an outstanding teacher and received the University’s Excellence in Teaching award. He was a dedicated faculty adviser for the Black Student Union. For more than three decades, Black students relied upon Professor Jim Newton as their trusted mentor and their always-available advocate and guide to learning and success.” – Dan Rich, professor emeritus in the Biden School and University provost from 2002-2009

UD alumnus and former trustee Tony Allen, who is now president of Delaware State University, paid tribute to Dr. Newton in an opinion piece posted on Delawareonline. He recounted the importance of Dr. Newton’s mentorship in his own life, as well as that of many other Blue Hens.

Allen wrote that Dr. Newton “often spoke of the importance of Black excellence as a bridge to the future. He reminded us that just as Dubois, Booker T., Tubman, Malcolm, Martin, Fannie Lou and Redding had stood in the gap for us, we, too, had that responsibility for others. He expected tremendous comprehension of the academic material and even more from us as growing young Black citizens. It was as if he knew that trials would come early and often at the institution. So, he taught uncompromising decorum and coached articulate responses to abuse of power … and Black Pride, always Black Pride.”

About James E. Newton

Born in Bridgeton, New Jersey, James E. Newton earned his bachelor’s degree in art and German from North Carolina Central University and his master of fine arts degree from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, where he was the first African American to receive an MFA. He received his doctorate in curriculum development in Black studies and education from Illinois State University.