(The Center Square) – Former North Carolina state Sen. Paul Newton is going back to his alma matter.
The Cabarrus County Republican, formerly general counsel of Duke Energy before retiring 10 years ago, has been hired as general counselor and vice chancellor at Carolina, the nation’s oldest public university. Newton, departing party majority leader, was first elected in November 2016 and just over four months ago won his fifth two-year term.
His first day is April 21. A salary was not announced and is yet to be logged in the UNC Salary Information Database.
“This university holds a special place in my heart,” Newton, soon to be 65 on June 2, said in a release from the university. “As a double Tar Heel and father of four Carolina graduates, I couldn’t be more thrilled to be the next vice chancellor and general counsel. Those of us who love this intuition know and appreciate its mission and founding principles. This is an institution that was born out of a bold vision to educate and serve the people of North Carolina, and that’s something we must never lose sight of. I look forward to playing a role in furthering those goals and working alongside Chancellor Roberts and his team to ensure the University can remain successful for generations to come.”
Chancellor Lee Roberts, in a statement, said, “He brings exceptional skills and deep experience in law, business and government to our university.”
Newton is a past member of the Carolina Alumni Board. Last year, he was awarded the William Richardson Davie Award, a distinguished honor for “extraordinary service to the university or society.”
