Bob Newlin

2014 Staff Recipient

Bob Newlin is the 2014 recipient of the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award from Duke University. This award seeks to perpetuate the excellence of character and humanitarian service of Algernon Sydney Sullivan by recognizing and honoring such qualities in others.

Bob’s nominator writes that

His family, church, work, and service are his life, and his life is an expression of his faith.

Bob currently works as the Chief Analyst and Program Director with the Office of the Provost. In this role, he is responsible for high level technology assessment and implementation. Additionally, Bob provides day-to-day technical support to keep Duke Offices functional and running. Duke faculty members, administrators, and students put their absolute trust in Bob’s technical skill and professionalism and they can attest to his tremendous ability to use discretion with both confidential and sensitive information.

While he is an exceptional employee of Duke, Bob is also very enthusiastic about serving the Duke-Durham community. Bob generously gives his time and talent to support Durham community partners in their efforts to serve the hungry and poor. For more than 20 years, Bob’s been 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, Bob actively volunteers with Durham Congregations in Action, a cooperative, multi-faith network offering care and support for vulnerable members of the Durham community. Bob currently serves as their Treasurer, an important volunteer position he’s held for more than six years. In this role, Bob manages spreadsheets, reviews checkbook ledgers, and regularly keeps the constituency informed of the DCIA’s expenditures for the common good. Bob is also a tireless supporter of YO: Durham, an organization supporting area youth, where he their “go-to-guy” for mass mailings, tech support, and fundraisers.

Bob’s community involvement runs deeply, yet, “with a quiet persistence” he is considerate in his approach to invite Duke Colleagues to share in his passion for service. Part of Bob’s email signature reads “If you would like to help fight hunger and poverty, please let me know”.

Bob is a father and grandfather, an Elder in his church, and embodies Mr. Sullivan who “reached out both hands in constant helpfulness to humankind.” He is an inspiration to all that surround him to lead lives of integrity, characterized by service to their communities. For his countless contributions to the Duke-Durham community and beyond, Duke University is proud to name Bob Newlin as the 2014 recipient of the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award.