UpDate - Vol. 12, No. 37, Page 1
July 22, 1993
James Newton appointed to state civil rights committee 

     James Newton, director of the Black American Studies Program and
chairperson of the Commission to Promote Racial and Cultural Diversity,
recently was appointed by the United States Commission on Civil Rights to
its Delaware State Advisory Committee.
     Newton said he is looking forward to participating on the advisory
committee, which is mandated by law in every state and addresses a broad
spectrum of issues, such as discrimination against people with
disabilities, as well as minority rights.
     "Civil rights issues are on the front burner again after several
years," Newton said. "The committee will have an impact on furthering civil
rights by reviewing, reporting and making recommendations about current
issues to the national commission."
     Raymond Wolters, professor of history, also serves on the committee.
     Newton, who is a graduate of North Carolina Central University, with a
master's degree in fine arts from the University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill and a doctorate from Illinois State University, has been
involved and interested in the civil rights movement since his student days
when he experienced the effects of segregation firsthand.
     Newton views his current role as a teacher, African-American studies
research specialist and resource person about the civil rights movement for
the University and for the many community people who contact the Black
American Studies Program for information.
     The author of A Curriculum Evaluation on Student Knowledge of
Afro-American Life and History  and co-editor of The Other Slaves:
Mechanics, Artisans and Craftsmen and several articles about African
Americans, Newton also was involved in researching and assembling a 1989
exhibition, "Opening the Door to Freedom," on the civil rights movement in
the state at the Historical Society of Delaware.
     Newton has taught courses at the University about Martin Luther King
Jr., Malcolm X and black history before and after the Civil War.
     In addition, he annually visits schools throughout the state, talking
to groups of younger students and raising their awareness about the civil
rights movement.
     At Delaware, he has received several honors during his tenure,
including an excellence in teaching award, the Black Student Union Faculty
Award and Mortar Board's award for teaching.
     Involved in civic and community activities and on the boards of
several organizations, Newton received the 1990 Wilmington News Journal
Hometown Hero Award, the local Jefferson Award from the American Institute
for Public Service and the 1991 Outstanding Achiever in Education award
from the Brandywine Professional Association.
                                        -Sue Swyers Moncure