James Clarkson Newlin

1938 - 2022

Newlin, James Clarkson

December 8, 1938 - May 10, 2022

Guilford College and Greensboro, N.C., have lost an exceptional and visionary leader in James Clarkson Newlin who died Tuesday, May 10, 2022, after a long illness. Jim's dedication to- and inspiration for- Guilford College and the Triad region spanned nearly seven decades of his 83 years of life. He will be missed by many in the region who relied on his wise counsel, his sense of strategy in higher education, his energizing non-profit work and Jim's Quaker "inner light" and wonderful common sense.

Jim was born in 1938 to beloved Guilford College Professor of History Algie I. Newlin and Guilford German Professor Eva M. Newlin. After several years in Switzerland as a child when his parents were Co-Directors of the Friends International Center there, Jim graduated from Guilford College in 1960 with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry. After working as a chemist in Filter Light Company, Jim returned to Guilford College as Business Manager, then Vice President of Business Affairs and later as Chief Financial Officer for the College, serving from 1966-1993. In the mid-1980s, Jim led the College through a comprehensive upgrade of its buildings and grounds, most especially the Hege Library, Dana Auditorium and Founders Hall: each project made good use of his passion for design, architecture and historical preservation.

Upon his retirement from the College in 1993, Jim followed his lifelong love of the arts and classical music and assumed the role as Executive Director of The Eastern Music Festival in Greensboro, a program founded in 1962 as a six week summer education for teens and nationally recognized musicians in classical music. Later, Jim also served tirelessly as Executive Director of the African American Dance Ensemble in Durham, N.C.

Jim was widely known in the Triad region for his ability to gather people together to consider both problems and opportunities through collaboration and consensus, even on the difficult issues of the day. Jim was deeply appreciated for accommodating non- profit community groups at his Greensboro home and his beautiful mountain home off the Blue Ridge Parkway. He was the co-founder of the West Friendly Avenue/Guilford College Alliance that advocated for the preservation of the Guilford College Community and its historical significance. He co-founded the New Garden Friends School to advance the importance of educating children from diverse backgrounds in an affirming and safe environment. While serving on the School's Board of Directors for 19 years, Jim gave his time and expertise in establishing Friends Homes Inc., serving on the Board of Directors from 1976-1982, and leading as its Chair from 1977-1979.

His financial and strategic acumen was sought after by key profit and non-profit organizations throughout the Triad. He established and served on the Board of Delancey Street (a residential alternative to prison) and the Centura Bank Board of Directors, Beeson Hardware and Lumber Company Board, the Corporate Board of Ragan-Thornton Mills, and Inglewood Development Corporation Board, among others.

Jim's dedication and persistence against State efforts to place a road ("Painter Boulevard ') through the Guilford College campus led the N.C. State Department of Transportation to reconsider and select a more western location. His effort resulted in Guilford College attaining the honor of being listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992. Jim was honored by his alma mater Guilford College in 2014 with the Charles C. Hendricks Distinguished Service Award for his leadership, service, and extraordinary loyalty to the College he dearly loved.

Preceded in death by his parents, survived by his sister Jo Poole of Greensboro, N.C., Jim's life and many contributions will be honored at a Memorial Service at New Garden Friends Meeting in the coming months.

The family wishes to recognize and thank Carlton Knott for his indispensable and unwavering care for Jim, and to the nurses and medical staff of Friends Homes West.

Contributions in honor of Jim's life, leadership and service can be made to Guilford College Annual Fund, New Garden Friends School, or Eastern Music Festival. Forbis and Dick Guilford Chapel is serving the family and online condolences may be offered at www.forbisanddick.com.