60 for 60: George W. Newton, the individual behind the vision

In celebration of Durham Technical Community College’s 60th anniversary, the College is publishing 60 for 60 – a storytelling campaign that highlights the people, places, and events that have progressed and shaped the College’s six decades of impact. To view more 60 for 60 stories, visit www.durhamtech.edu/60for60. 

George W. Newton was one of the original six Board of Trustee members of Durham Industrial Education Center. He was appointed by the Board of Commissioners of Durham County and served on the board for 26 years, including nine as chairman. In 1947 he founded Newton Instrument Company, a business that produced surgical devices.  
 
Newton was a local industrialist who had a vision that the Industrial Education Center would one day become a comprehensive community college, which it did in 1986.  
 
“It is my hope that the Durham Industrial Education Center should ultimately become a community college,” said Newton in a July 25, 1963 Board of Trustees meeting. Because of Newton’s vision, the Center was able to grow first into an Institute and then a College that offered additional programs, served more students, and allowed coursework to transfer to other institutions. Newton’s broader vision helped to shape Durham Industrial Education Center’s evolution to Durham Technical Community College.
 
In September 1988, the College’s fourth building on Main Campus was named after him: George W. Newton Industrial & Engineering Technologies Center. 
 
Five of Newton’s children – Wallace, David, Sarah, John, and Walter (who now serves as a member of the College’s Board of Trustees) - provided insight into their father’s time on the board.  
 
Q: What did Durham Tech mean to your father? 

Sarah: “As a child (5th grade?), I remember that at supper sometimes dad would say he was going to a meeting at the community college. I had no idea what that meant, except that I knew he was involved in the community. When I was older (high school), I remember once he told me how important it was to give people opportunities to qualify to get a job. I knew that after he graduated from high school his opportunity was an apprenticeship. He loved Durham and wanted all of Durham's citizens to have educational opportunities. As a young adult, I realized the commitment and importance of my Father's involvement with Durham Tech. It has always been a source of pride that he was committed to education and helping people. I spent 34 years in education and understand the impact it can make on people's lives.” 

Q: How did your father come to be involved with Durham Tech? 

David: “He remained in touch with HK Collins, who was Durham Tech's first president (I believe.) During World War II he taught some technical classes, figuring that was something he could contribute to the war effort since he had a defense department deferment through his work at Duke University. Getting involved in Mr. Collins' school was a natural progression of his interest in technical training.” 

Q: What do you remember about your father’s contributions and impact on Durham Tech? 

Walter: “Nathaniel White and my father had a very special relationship. When Phail Wynn had a particularly difficult problem that he needed the board's help with he would appoint a committee of two, Nat and my father. They both understood how things worked and went about problem-solving in a very thoughtful, compassionate, and deliberate manner. My father was not afraid of big ideas and the Industrial Training Centers were a big idea.” 
 
John: “The bond between Daddy and Phail was obviously very special. It was apparently close to a father/son relationship.”  
 
Q: Is there a favorite memory of your father and Durham Tech? 

David: “When I worked as a reporter at the Durham Morning Herald (now Herald-Sun) from 1987-91 he sheepishly admitted to me that as yet another meeting of boilerplate decisions would begin he would look at the press and pity them for the boring nuts and bolts they had to wade through to get their stories. I never covered Durham Tech.” 

Wallace: “Daddy always believed in learning and training. Durham Tech was an opportunity to teach machine shop. When NIC was across the street from Durham Tech, we would take a forklift over to unload or move a machine for them.” 

Q: Did you ever used to come to Durham Tech with your dad when he was on the board or helping to get Durham Tech off the ground? What was the college like then? 

Walter: “My first memory of Durham Tech was visiting on a Sunday afternoon. What is now the White Building was completed and the only building on campus. I attended the introduction of Durham Tech’s 2nd President, John Crumpton. At the appropriate time, a gentleman who Mr. Ed Moore recently identified as Walter Barbee walked out and presented President Crumpton with a set of keys. Walter was the first custodian of the school, and it was not uncommon to see him and President Harold K Collins walking down the hall, both with tools to go fix something. I also attended the dedication of what eventfully became the Newton Industrial Technologies Building. Governor Hunt attended and arrived on a helicopter that landed at RN Harris Elementary School.” 

Q: What lessons have you drawn from your dad’s legacy and impact on the College into how you view higher education and vocational training? 

David: “He viewed vocational training as crucial to any community that grows, especially in today’s high-tech society. The irony, of course, is that three of his five children graduated from college in music/humanities. The larger lesson from his involvement with Durham Tech is that one should contribute to their community in whatever way they can. At one point he was approached about serving on the city school board. At that time, the position was appointed. He declined, reasoning that he knew something about vocational training and could best contribute there.” 

Q: Are your siblings involved at all with Durham Tech? 

David: “Walter is on the board. I have taken any number of continuing education classes in Spanish and was always impressed by the institutional responsiveness and the clean restrooms. A well-run institution.” 

Wallace: “Our parents were always proud of each of us for what we did in our lives. I know they would both be extremely proud of Walter’s contribution to Greensboro College and Durham Tech. Walter represents himself and the Newton name well through his ’get the job done’ with integrity.” 

Q. Walter, what is it like carrying on the Newton legacy in being a Trustee member and leader of the College? 

Walter: “Humbling, I see his hand in much of what the school does and how it goes about meeting its mission. My father had a gentleness of spirit that imbued all that he did. Tenacity of purpose and big ideas were also traits. Nowhere were those traits more evident than his over 40 years of service to this institution. We are at an inflection point as we create our Post COVID reality, Durham Tech has a vital role to play.” 

Q: What would your father think now of Durham Tech and what it’s become? 

Walter: “On the occasion of the first board meeting of Durham Tech in 1963, my father said, “It is my hope that the Durham Industrial Education Center should ultimately become a community college” We achieved this hope in 1986. He would say ‘things seem to be going OK, but there is much work yet to do, let’s get after it!” 

For more information, contact Desiree Towson, M.S., Communications and Public Relations Coordinator, at allisontowsond@durhamtech.edu.