Martha Newkirk, right, pictured with her husband James in 2001. Inset photo is dated 2007.
Alumna, philanthropist remembered
“With great sadness,” UC Irvine Chancellor Howard Gillman informed the campus community today that alumna, philanthropist and devoted Anteater Martha Newkirk passed away this past Sunday. The social ecology pioneer was 88.
“Martha Newkirk set the gold standard for alumni on how to give back to their alma mater, both philanthropically and as a volunteer,” wrote the chancellor in a statement. “She leaves behind her an indelible mark on the campus she loved. We offer our deepest condolences to her husband, Jim, and her children, Maria and Jose.”
School of Social Ecology Dean Jon Gould said Martha Newkirk is “so woven into the fabric and history of our school and UC Irvine and she was a true force for life and for good. We are deeply appreciative of her time, attention, and assistance. She had a significant influence here and we will cherish her memory."
Martha Newkirk earned her bachelor’s degree in 1972, her master’s degree in 1976 and her Ph.D. in 1981, all in social ecology and all from UC Irvine. One of our school’s centers, the Newkirk Center for Science & Society, was begun in 2001 with a generous donation from Martha and her beloved husband, James, and she served on the center’s advisory board. The Newkirks also endowed two social ecology fellowships.
Beyond the School of Social Ecology, the Newkirks made it possible for the campus to build the Newkirk Alumni Center, a hub for alumni and their many activities, and their name is on the Newkirk Pavilion at Anteater Ballpark.
She was a past president of the UC Irvine Alumni Association and a past trustee of the UC Irvine Foundation board, where she served on the Executive Committee, chaired the Alumni and Student Relations Committee, and was a member of the Nomination and Board Development Committee. She also served on the University of California Board of Regents as alumni regent from 1989 to 1991. Newkirk received the UC Irvine Medal, the campus’s highest distinction in 1993 and, two years later, she was honored with the UC Irvine Alumni Association’s Lauds & Laurels award.
Indeed, it would not be a stretch to say Martha Newkirk helped save social ecology from obliteration not long after it became a program at UC Irvine in 1970. A telegram stamped Feb. 12, 1971, and signed by dozens of students to then-Chancellor Daniel Aldrich, who was staying at the Southern Cross Hotel in Melbourne, Australia, at the time, states:
We are deeply shocked by the grossly inadequate funding given the Program in Social Ecology, necessitating its closure July 1 and leading to the resignation of its Director, Dr. Arnold Binder, on Feb. 5. We know of your commitment to the program. We wish to reaffirm ours, and we request your immediate aid in this extraordinary situation.
Of course, the program was saved, Binder continued as social ecology’s first director, and UC Regents approved the program becoming a school in 1992.
The first signee on that telegram to Aldrich? Martha Newkirk.
In an interview with then Interim Dean Valerie Jenness in 2010, Newkirk talked about the school and her time as a UC Regent.
“I was considered a non-traditional student because I transferred to UCI Irvine and was a working mother,” Newkirk told Jenness. “Fortunately, my husband was a teacher so he was able to do a lot of the child care when I was in school. The minute I stepped on campus I felt at home. I loved the protests going on campus and I remember going to sit-ins at the Chancellor’s office. These were things I had never done before. I also loved my professors, especially the gutsiness of Arnie Binder, who founded the School of Social Ecology.... Also, while studying in the School of Social Ecology, I mastered the principles of behavior modification. I still use these techniques today in my interactions with others and as a business leader.... My education at UC Irvine taught me to think systematically and my mind was broadened. This has been very valuable in my life.”
To Jenness’ question about her passions and activities at the time, Newkirk responded: “My first passion is my family. I enjoy spending time with my grandchildren. Second, I love running a business. It is rewarding to see it succeed with my leadership. I am involved in a variety of community activities, but I like to keep a low profile. I enjoy being the power behind things getting done, but I do not like being the cheerleader.”