Robert and Ruth Newton Selected as Lincoln University’s 2025 Family of the Year

Robert and Ruth Newton have been selected as Lincoln University’s 2025 Family of the Year. The Newtons will be honored during the 2025 Founders’ Day Convocation on Thursday, January 16, 2025.

Robert and Ruth Newton have been selected as Lincoln University’s 2025 Family of the Year. The Newtons graduated in 1968, excelling as students and leaders during their time at Lincoln. Ruth, a St. Louis native, earned her degree in elementary education with a social studies minor. Robert, from Fairfield, Alabama, majored in government with a journalism minor.

“We are honored to be named Family of the Year,” the Newtons said. “This recognition motivates us to continue our unwavering support for Lincoln University.”

The Family of the Year honor is awarded annually during the Founders’ Day Convocation to recognize a family with a rich history of service and dedication to Lincoln. The Newtons will be honored during the 2025 Founders’ Day Convocation on Thursday, January 16, 2025.

“Our relationship with Lincoln has been integral to our lives since we first arrived on campus in 1963/1964,” the Newtons said. “We have made lifelong friendships and the quality education we received prepared us for everything we have achieved. We are motivated by all that we have received and accomplished and seek to pay it forward. That is one of the valuable lessons we learned at Lincoln University.”

While at Lincoln, both were active in the Student Government Association (SGA). Ruth served two years as a dormitory representative, while Robert was his junior class representative. He was later elected SGA president for the 1966-67 academic year. In 1967, the couple began dating, continuing their relationship through their senior year.

“Lincoln is special to us because of the opportunity it provided for a quality, affordable education,” the Newtons said.

Robert played a significant role in campus life. He was a statistician and team manager for the football and basketball teams, a sports reporter for the Lincoln Clarion and sports editor for the Lincoln Archives yearbook. He earned honors including the 1967 SGA Man of the Year award and inclusion in Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. He was also a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.

Ruth’s achievements included recognition as the 1968 SGA Woman of the Year and inclusion in Who’s Who. A member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., she became a lifetime member in 2008.

After their wedding in 1968, the Newtons moved to Washington, D.C., where Robert attended Howard University’s School of Law, graduating in 1971. Ruth began her career as an elementary school teacher. Robert’s legal career included roles with the Atomic Energy Commission, the Department of Energy, and the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. He was admitted to practice before the Alabama Bar, the District of Columbia Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court. He retired in 2011 after a distinguished federal service career, earning a Distinguished Career Service award.

Ruth earned a master’s in early childhood education from George Washington University in 1974 and later transitioned into library science. She became director of NASA’s Goddard Child Development Center and pursued a Master of Library Science degree at the University of Maryland, where she was inducted into Omicron Delta Kappa and Beta Phi Mu honor societies. As the branch manager of the Charles E. Miller Library in Howard County, Maryland she innovated programs, managed extensive collections, and supervised staff. She retired in 2006 after a groundbreaking career.

Both are devoted Lincoln alumni. Ruth served as president of the Washington, D.C., Alumni Chapter and later as national alumni secretary, leading scholarship initiatives and fundraising efforts. The Newtons have received the Lincoln University Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Award and are life members of the association.

Their contributions include financial support, such as an endowed scholarship for Lincoln students. Their names are etched on Soldier’s Memorial Plaza in recognition of their enduring legacy.

“We plan to continue supporting our endowed scholarship with the 62nd and 65th Legacy Foundation,” they said. “It is our hope that our scholarship will give deserving students the same opportunities for success that was afforded us.”

Residents of Ellicott City, Maryland, the Newtons are the proud parents of three sons and grandparents of five.

“We hope that other alumni will be motivated and encouraged by the University’s recognition and appreciation given to us to increase their involvement,” the Newtons said. “We urge alumni to return to the campus as often as possible to learn about the wonderful things going on at Lincoln University. While things have changed since we were students, there are some great things going on for today’s students.”