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University. After one year, he moved on to become Associate Professor, teaching in the same fields, at Southern University in Louisiana. While working toward the doctorate, Brother Newsom was Associate Professor of Sociology at Stowe Teachers College in St. Louis. He returned to Southern in 1951 as Professor of Sociology and, in 1956, was named head of that department. In 1960, Dr. Newsom became Professor of Sociology and Director of Woodrow Wilson General Honors at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. Here he served until 1964, when he was installed as President of Barber-Scotia College in Concord, North Carolina. In 1966, Brother Newsom returned to Atlanta to become Associate Director of the Higher Educational Opportunity in the South project of the Southern Regional Education Board. He was named President of Johnson C. Smith University (Charlotte, NC) in 1969 and served there until his selection to his present post as President of Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio. In related activities, Brother Newsom's involvement has been equally impressive. He is a leader in professional organizations, and has always earned the respect of his peers. Since coming to Central State in 1972, he has already served as Chairman of the Inter-University Council of Ohio (1975-76) and as President of the Ohio College Association (1976-77). Even as this article was being prepared, The Sphinx received an independent release noting that Brother Newsom had been named to the Advisory Council to the Secretary of the Army, as Civilian Aide for Southeast Ohio. What no chronology of job titles and professional affiliations can possibly impart is the impact of a person on those who come into contact with him. In the case of Lionel H. Newsom, most who have known him have come to respect him. This is perhaps best evidenced by his citations for distinguished alumni achievement by both Lincoln University and Washington University; by his Award for Excellence from the University of Cincinnati; and by the five institutions (Davidson College, Bowling Green State University, Lincoln University, Wright State University, Western Michigan University, and Miami University of Ohio) which have conferred upon him honorary doctorates.
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Speaks of his Fraternity I saw the light of Alpha Phi Alpha at Alpha Psi, Lincoln University, later serving as Treasurer of the chapter. I represented Alpha Chi (Fisk University) at the 1940 General Convention in Kansas City; served as President of Epsilon (University of Michigan) and later President of Kappa at The Ohio State University. Later I became a member of Alpha Rho Lambda. During the war I was among four who pulled together about 60 Alpha men at Fort Benning, Georgia, to establish a wartime chapter. The other three were Brothers, Clifton R. Jones of Virginia Union, James R. Tanner of Wilberforce and Lewis O. Swingler (former Editorin-Chief of The Sphinx) of University of Nebraska. We had forums, public meetings, parties, dances and learning sessions. My army duties took me overseas to serve in the China-Burma-India theater as a Lieutenant in the Corps of Military Police. Upon my return in 1946, I attended the convention in Columbus, Ohio where Brother Paul Robeson was the highlight of the program with Max Yergan, B.V. Lawson, General President; Channing Tobias, Dr. Tribbitt and Joseph H. B. Evans, General Secretary and Dr. Charles H. Wesley, former General President. During B. V.'s term I served as a member of the Reorganization Committee and Chairman of the Awards Committee. I also was Vice President of the Midwestern Region. During my teaching career I served as advisor to Alpha Psi, Beta Sigma (Southern University, Baton Rouge) and Alpha Rho (Morehouse College). Then I served as Chairman of the Recommendations Committee under General President A. Maceo Smith and Director of Educational Activities under General President Myles A. Paige. During that period I served as a member of the 50th Anniversary Committee of The Sphinx.
At Southern in Baton Rouge I served as President of Beta lota Lambda. In Atlanta I served as President of Eta Lambda and we bought a fraternity house where all Brother (graduate and undergrad) were welcomed. I served as chairman of two Regionals - one in Baton Rouge and one in Atlanta. I became President-Elect in 1964 and served as General President from 1965 through 1968. During my administration we refurbished and renovated the headquarters, bought the land next door and reorganized the fraternity. We initiated Vice President Hubert Horatio Humphrey and had a balanced budget each year I served, leaving the fraternity's treasury in very good condition. I was also instrumental in bringing Greek letter organizations (including Alpha Phi Alpha) to BarberScotia College in 1965. Presently, I am a member of Zeta Delta Lambda Chapter in Springfield, Ohio. I have not missed a General Convention since 1945. My record will show attendance at every convention since 1946, Columbus, Ohio to 1979 in Washington. I have not always been on the giving end but often a recipient of good things from Alpha. First and foremost was the love and respect of and for my brothers; an Alpha scholarship to the University of Michigan; our school, Central State University, received a gift of $15,000 in 1974 to aid us in the recovery from the devastating tornado of 1974; and the opportunity to serve my beloved brothers as their General President — which was, until the last convention when I received the Alpha Award of Merit, the highlight of my career in Alpha. I shall always remember how Alpha demanded high quality leadership through service and was a guide to my life. I am No. 16, Life Member, since 1947. During these years I have had wholesome contacts and meaningful relations with Jewels E. Kinckle Jones, Callis, Murray and Tandy. Stalwarts like Sidney Jones, Raymond W. Cannon, Frank Stanley, Bill Hale, Charles Wesley, B. V. Lawson, Raymond Paige, Alexander Jerrick, O. Wilson Winters, John Buckner, Lewis O. Swingler; the list is too long, there are so many, so I will leave it here. To me Alpha Phi Alpha is not a hard or cruel crucible for molding leadership, but (Alpha is) developing a way of life. -LHN
The Sphinx / Spring 1980