L. Jackson “Jack” Newell was born on October 11, 1938 in Dayton, Ohio, to Leonard J. and Henrietta W. Newell. His father was a physician and WWII Naval officer and his mother was a teacher and community activist. As a youth, Newell was deeply impacted by wilderness experiences, including a summer-long camping trip through the American West that he undertook with a friend at age sixteen. Newell attended Deep Springs College for two years before transferring to and graduating from The Ohio State University with a BA in history. He took his master's degree in American history at Duke University. Newell taught at Clemson University, Deep Springs College, and the University of New Hampshire for six years before returning to Ohio State to complete a PhD. Newell earned his doctorate in educational leadership and history at Ohio State. Throughout his studies, Newell spent his college summers working at various national parks, including Glacier, Crater Lake, and Grand Canyon, working as a mule packer and fire fighter.
In 1974, Newell joined the University of Utah faculty. Soon afterwards, he was appointed dean of liberal education. A champion of liberal education throughout his career, Newell served twenty-five years as a professor and sixteen as dean of liberal education at the University of Utah. From 1995 to 2004, he worked as president of Deep Springs College, a two-year private college in University. With approximately 30 students at any given time, Deep Springs is one of the smallest accredited institutions of higher education in the United States. Returning to the University of Utah after his tenure at Deep Springs, Newell continued to teach the philosophy and ethics of leadership in the Honors College.
In addition to his career as an educator, Newell was a prolific writer, authoring or co-authoring ten books and over 100 articles. His works include:
Newell has received the Hatch Prize for Teaching, the Distinguished Honors and University Professorships, the Joseph Katz Award for the Advancement of Liberal Learning, and the Deep Springs Medal. His many essays reflect his broad interests in culture, education, history, international travel, and wilderness. He and Linda King Newell have four children and nine grandchildren.
The L. Jackson Newell photograph collection consits of 8 boxes containing 3018 personal and historic photographs, copy prints, slides, and contact sheets related to Dr. Newell's tenure as President of Deep Springs College and his research into the college's founder, L.L. Nunn, and its early history. Boxes 1, 6, and 7 contain images of Newell's personal and professional life. They also contain photographs and copy prints of Deep Springs, its adminsitration, and students from 1920 to the 2000s. Boxes 2-5 and 8 are oversized and contain primarily scrapbooks and photograph albums of Deep Springs and its students. The collection spans from the 1920s to the 2000s.
Arranged by subject
Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.
It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances.
Permission to publish material from the L. Jackson Newell photograph collection must be obtained from the Special Collections Manuscript Curator.
Donated by L. Jackson Newell in 2015.
Processed by Special Collections staff.
See also the
See also the