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| Vol. 18, No. 3 | Sept. 17, 1998 |
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| Vol. 18, No. 3 | Sept. 17, 1998 |
Two members of the University community-James E. Newton, Black American Studies Program, and Liane Sorenson, women's affairs-will be recognized by the Delaware Humanities Forum Oct. 23 with the Joseph P. Del Tufo Award for Distinguished Service to the Humanities at a 7 p.m. ceremony at the First USA Riverfront Arts Center in Wilmington.
Cleveland Morris, former artistic director of the Delaware Theatre Company, also will be honored.
Sorenson is director of UD's Office of Women's Affairs and executive director of its Commission on the Status of Women and a member of the Delaware Senate, representing the sixth district.
She has worked on campus to obtain equity for women students, faculty and staff. Her office offers programs on women's issues, handles gender-equity complaints and advocates for changes in policy and procedures that will improve the status of women.
She is known throughout the state for her dedication to educational issues. During her tenure in the Delaware legislature, she has sponsored legislation in the areas of education, government effectiveness, domestic violence, health and finance.
The Domestic Violence Project Inc. and the YWCA have recognized Sorenson for her work on domestic violence; the Perinatal Association recognized her with an award for her support of breast feeding; and Delaware Today magazine named her a "Person to Watch." She also is a recipient of the "She Knows Where She is Going" award from Girls Inc. and the Family and Workplace Connection's "Delaware Tomorrow Award."
Newton has worked as a humanities scholar in the Delaware Humanities Forum projects for many years-planning, participating and evaluating programs. Also active in delivering programs, he was instrumental in the Scholars Program, a special school activity that reached several thousand students in Sussex County.
Among his awards are the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa Eastern Regional Award for outstanding work in programs serving youth, the News-Journal Hometown Hero Award and Jefferson Award from the American Institute for Public Service and the Outstanding Achiever in Education Award from the Brandywine Professional Association.
He also is a recipient of UD's Excellence-in-Teaching Award.
Newton's research interests include the African-American folk heritage and culture of Delaware, student knowledge of hip hop culture in American society and research on African-American artists and those involved in public service.
The Del Tufo Award, named for a founding board member of the Delaware Humanities Forum, was established in 1979 to honor Delawareans who have contributed to the educational and cultural life of the state.
The awards ceremony and reception will be followed by a tour of the Nicholas and Alexandra exhibit. For ticket information, call the Delaware Humanities Forum at 657-0650 or 1 (800) 752-2060.
Photo by Robert Cohen
New committee chair
James E. Newton, Black American Studies Program, has been named the new chairperson of the Delaware Advisory Committee to the United States Commission on Civil Rights.
"I see my appointment as chair to be an extension of my teaching in the Black American Studies Program," Newton said. "It is a part of my role in the ongoing struggle for civil rights and equality in the United States."
As chairperson, Newton will oversee the Delaware Advisory Committee, which is involved in investigations into civil rights complaints and dissemination of information to promote civil rights.
"One of my goals is to provide citizens with the information that they need to find the agencies that can help them with their particular problems," Newton said. "I want to see the issues of civil rights promoted to the public and to see discrimination and equality issues addressed."
The committee members serve six-year terms. Meetings are held monthly, and at various times during the year the committee members convene to conduct hearings, consultations and conferences. Newton has served on the Delaware Advisory Committee since 1993.
Gail Walford
