The I. DeQuincey Newman
Professor of Social Work
An Endowed Chair

         Isaiah DeQuincey Newman was born April 17, 1911, in Clyde Township, Darlington County, South Carolina. The son of the Reverend Meloncy and Charlotte Elizabeth Morris Newman, he attended public school in Williamsburg County and graduated from Claflin College in Orangeburg, South Carolina. He received degrees from Clark College and Gammon Theological Seminary, both in Atlanta, Georgia.

    He became a minister in the Methodist Church in 1931. The Reverend Newman served pastoral appointments in Georgia and South Carolina and also served as superintendent of the Sumter District of the United Methodist Church. He was also appointed to a number of positions of trust for both the South Carolina Conference and the General Conference of the church. He was a key member of the Merger Committee for the South Carolina United Methodist Conference which brought together the previously segregated conferences into a single organization.

     In addition to his duties as a minister, the Reverend Newman served with distinction in many other endeavors which brought him recognition and honor. He was well known throughout the state and nation as a champion of the Civil Rights Movement in South Carolina. An advocate of nonviolent protest in places of public accommodation and of equal voting rights, he was sought for his advice and counsel in easing racial tensions throughout the state. He was instrumental in the organization of the Progressive Democratic Party which initiated full participation by Blacks in the S. C. Democratic Party. He played a major role in helping South Carolina in achieving a more peaceful transition from a racially segregated to an integrated society. He founded the Orangeburg branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, served in a number of offices in the S. C. Conference of the NAACP and from 1960-1969 served as Field Director for that organization. For his outstanding achievements in the progress of civil rights, he was recognized by numerous civic and national organizations.

   The Reverend Newman was a strong advocate of human services, particularly with regard to the needs of citizens in rural areas and the elderly. He served as executive assistant to the Commissioner of the S. C. Department of Social Services from 1972-1974. He was named Director of the Rural Regional Coordination Demonstration Project in the Office of the Governor. This project became the Division of Rural Development with the Reverend Newman serving as its director until 1981. He helped to organize State-Wide Homes Foundation to promote better housing and education for low income families and the Senior Citizens Service Center to serve citizens of the Camden area. His humanitarian service brought recognition from the S. C. Congress of Parents and Teachers, the S. C. Nursing Home Association, and in 1982 he was named Rural Citizen of the year and by the National Institute on Social Work in Rural Areas.

     In October 1983, he was elected in a special election to the South Carolina Senate and became the first Black to serve in that body since Reconstruction. He received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Claflin College and was the recipient of the Order of the Palmetto in 1979. Senator Newman was cited for outstanding public service by Richland County for his civic leadership by Concurrent Resolution of the S. C. Legislature. In May 1984, upon recommendation of the College of Social Work, he was awarded the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Humane Letters by the University of South Carolina.

      The I. DeQuincey Newman Professorship in the College of Social Work was established in 1994 in the remembrance of Reverend Newman for his dedication and tireless efforts in promoting equal opportunity in this state and the nation. The Newman Professorship honors his enduring contributions to the cause of improved human relations and his distinguished services in public interest. Further, the Professorship provides a unique opportunity for the University of South Carolina to honor the memory of an outstanding South Carolinian by continuing his mission of promoting the causes of social justice. The Newman Chair has a significant impact on recruitment programs, institutional diversity, graduate research, teacher training, and scholarly endeavors throughout the Southeast.

       The appointment of the Newman professor enables the College of Social Work to continue the legacy of Dr. Newman through working to ensure the integration of specialized content and principles of planned and peaceful social changes into the curriculum; and conducting research in important areas of social welfare; and providing expertise to government, business and industry in matters such as race relations and the enhancement of economic growth through human resource development. the continued fullment of the goals of the Newman Professorship at USC requires an ongoing institutional commitment to improve education, stimulate appreciation of diversity, and respond to community concerns.

Activities related to the Chair include:

• The Newman Scholars Program                                          
• The Newman Lecture Series in Social and Economic Justice
• The Newman Youth Leadership Development Program       
• A Study Abroad Program                                                   
• Establishment of a Newman archival and resource room      
• A Literacy and Home Development Project      

For giving opportunities and to make your personal gift, contact:
Ms. Mai Li Munoz Adams
Director of Development
College of Social Work
University of South Carolina
Columbia, SC 29208 USA
(803) 777-3902
email: munoz.adams@sc.edu

If you are interested in applying for a scholarships, please send a letter or an e-mail stating your interest, your qualifications and which scholarship you wish to be considered to: