Bob Newlin Receives Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award

For more than 25 years, Bob Newlin has assisted Duke faculty with a variety of technical help and know-how while also giving much of his time volunteering within the Durham community.

Newlin's commitment to colleagues and local residents are the basis for the longtime Duke employee receiving this year's Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award. The award is sponsored by the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation to perpetuate the characteristics of integrity and service exemplified by Sullivan, a New York lawyer and philanthropist who died in 1887. Duke bestows the award each year on one student and one staff member.

Newlin, chief analyst and program director with the Office of the Provost, received the award at a reception last week.

"While he is an exceptional employee of Duke, Bob is also very enthusiastic about serving the Duke-Durham community," said Sam Miglarese, director of the Duke-Durham Neighborhood Partnership. "Bob generously gives his time and talent to support Durham community partners in their efforts to serve the hungry and poor. He is an inspiration to all that surround him to lead lives of integrity, characterized by service to their communities."

Also recognized at the ceremony was Duke senior Hannah Ward, an active member of the Duke Chapel community. During her time at Duke, Ward participated in several "alternative" spring break trips to volunteer in communities in need and was a founding member of the Undergraduate Faith Council.

In this role at Duke, Newlin is responsible for high-level technology assessment and implementation, while providing day-to-day technical support for faculty members, administrators and students, often dealing with confidential and sensitive information.

Colleagues note Newlin’s passion also lies with serving the greater Durham community, where he’s volunteered for over 20 years.

"I feel for those who are less fortunate who have problems with food, disaster or trying to come out of poverty," Newlin said. "I naturally gravitate toward being someone to help. I'm the one who sits in a meeting and when nobody else volunteers, I do."

Newlin is an active participant and volunteer organizer of the Durham Crop Walk, an annual walking event that raises money to support local and international organizations that feed the hungry.

In addition to his service with Crop Walk, Newling volunteers with Durham Congregations in Action, a cooperative, multi-faith network offering care and support for vulnerable members of the Durham community and has served as their treasurer for six years. He also supports YO: Durham, an organization supporting area youth, where he provides technical support, help with for mass mailings and assists with fundraisers.

Miglarese noted that Newlin’s devotion to a Duke-Durham partnership can be seen in his emails, where Newlin's signature features the line, "If you would like to help fight hunger and poverty, please let me know."

"I don't usually seek recognition, but it's always nice to know people notice what you're doing and appreciate it," Newlin said.

This year's Sullivan Award was the final time Provost Peter Lange delivered the award. Lange was responsible for brining the award to Duke and will retire effective July 1.