Class of 1941 | Greenfield High School
Jack New is remembered as an “exemplary model of what a public servant should be.” A lifelong resident of Greenfield, Jack was a 1941 graduate of Greenfield High School and a 1948 graduate of Indiana University where he obtained a Political Science degree and was President of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. From 1943 to 1946, between high school and college graduation, Jack served in the U.S. Army in Europe and Japan during WWII and was awarded the Bronze Star.
Jack began his dedication to public service in 1948. His son, Tom New says, “He was a major participant in every statewide election in Indiana from 1948 to 1980; and while he was a partisan Democrat, Dad always worked across the political aisle to find bipartisan solutions to our state’s problems. We could use that type of bipartisanship today.” Jack coordinated President Truman’s whistle stops through Indiana in 1948 and was largely credited with the white hat campaign for Governor Henry Schricker.
Jack served as Director of the Office of Price Stabilization for Indiana from 1951-53. He was Executive Secretary to Governor Matthew Welsh (1961-65). Jack was elected three times (1965-67; 1971-79) to the office of State Treasurer of Indiana where he was responsible for managing the finances of the state of Indiana. A candidate for Governor of Indiana in the Democratic Party primary in 1976, he later served as Chairman of the Indiana State Board of Tax Commissioners in 1989-92. During the 1980s Jack was also an adjunct professor of Political Science at I.U.
Well known and well honored, Jack received numerous recognitions. Top among them was the Sagamore of the Wabash, an award given him by four Indiana Governors – Governors Welsh, Whitcomb, Bowen and Bayh. The Sagamore is conferred on men and women as a personal tribute to those who have rendered distinguished service to the state or the governor – contributing greatly to our Hoosier heritage. Indiana University also recognized Jack with the Distinguished Alumni Award given by the School of Arts and Sciences in 1984, honoring alumni who have achieved significant recognition or accomplishment in their chosen field, community service, or university service.
At home in Greenfield, Jack owned and operated a small office furniture business. While his primary political focus was statewide, Jack also served his local community as a member of the Hancock County Council in the 1950s and was the keynote speaker at the Riley Days Mayor’s Breakfast on more than one occasion. He also took the time to strongly support Greenfield High School and Greenfield-Central High School athletics and extracurricular activities during his four children’s years in school. “He suffered through every one of my cross country and track meets,” jokes Tom.
Jack was a member of Bradley United Methodist Church, a lifelong member of the Greenfield American Legion #119 and the Greenfield Elks. Jack was married to his wife Corinne for 58 years. They had two sons, Tom and John and two daughters, Sara and Ann. They were also blessed with six grandchildren. Jack passed away October 14, 2008.