Newell, a prolific publisher of scholarly papers, was himself awarded the University Professor rank in 1991. It was one of many awards he received in his Utah career, including the Joseph Katz Award for the Advancement of Liberal Learning, the Calvin S. and Jeneal N. Hatch Prize for Teaching Excellence, the Distinguished Honors Professor award, and the Presidential Teaching Scholar appointment. The Liberal Education program worked so well that in 1984, the U was recognized by the National Institute of Education as a model for liberal education reform. Integrated, problem-based courses are a natural fit for liberal education, believes Newell, who is somewhat disappointed that nationally, academics still prize theory. The most baffling thing about American undergraduate students today is that they are not in rebellion against what they're getting.
Students now see education as an instrumental thing, to win a job or to get into graduate school.
Chapman, who also received the University Professor rank in 1991 and who taught liberal education courses for 23 years, agrees. Jack was critical in encouraging that. With all that in mind, then, it's really no surprise that Newell has gravitated toward Deep Springs College. Founded in 1917 by electric power magnate L.L. Nunn, who lived in Utah for some time, the two-year school serves only 26 students and is located 30 miles from the nearest town. Students not only study the liberal arts, but help operate the ranch on which the school is located by working at least 20 hours per week.