KINGSTON, R.I., — May 17, 2018 — Frederick J. Newton ’78 and Susan C. Newton have made a $1 million commitment to establish the Fred ’78 and Susan Newton Endowed Professorship in Human Resource Management at the University of Rhode Island.

The permanent endowed fund will be used to recruit and retain outstanding faculty for the College of Business. It will also serve as a cornerstone for the College’s 2017-2022 Strategic Impact Plan, focused on expanding research, scholarship, and efforts to enhance the academic experience for students.

“The Newtons’ generous support demonstrates remarkable leadership and confidence in the future of the College of Business at the University of Rhode Island,” said Provost Donald H. DeHayes. “Endowed professorships are crucial to URI’s mission; they advance our efforts in research and teaching, which will influence generations of students into the future.”

Throughout his career as a human resources executive, Fred Newton has been deeply committed to higher education. He is a member of the URI College of Business advisory board and is currently an executive-in-residence in the College of Business, a role in which he shares his expertise with students and staff through classroom instruction, guest lectures, career coaching, and curriculum advice.

“The University of Rhode Island is a place that gave me many opportunities,” said Fred. “Susan and I are delighted to do what we can to provide new opportunities for today’s students. We see this professorship as a way to have a broad and lasting impact on the ability to attract future quality talent to the College of Business.”

The Newtons of Charlestown and Phoenix, Arizona have previously supported URI by establishing two endowed scholarships in the College of Business along with numerous gifts to Theta Chi fraternity, the Alumni Association, and the Annual Fund. In 2016, Fred received the Dean’s Award for the College of Business at the URI Distinguished Achievement Awards Gala. He is also a member of the executive committee of the URI Foundation board of directors.

Newton, a former commissioned officer and aviator in the U.S. Navy, has worked as a human resources executive for some of the top companies in the world, including Unilever, Pepsi/Frito-Lay Inc. and Cinergy. He recently retired from his position as senior vice president and chief human resources officer of Apollo Education Group, a leading global provider of higher-education programs/degrees for working adults. He has served on the board of directors of Teach for America, and is involved in numerous professional, trade, and civic organizations.

Newton earned his B.S. in business administration from URI in 1978, and his M.B.A. in labor relations from San Diego State University.