Dorothy Newsom Rankin was the daughter of D. W. (Dallas Walton) Newsom (Trinity Class of 1899) and Tempie Battle. She graduated summa cum laude from Duke University in 1933. While a student, she was elected Phi Beta Kappa, served as senior class president of the Woman's College as well as May Day Queen her senior year, and was a member of the Kappa Delta sorority and White Duchy. Dorothy married Professor Robert Rankin shortly after her graduation in 1933. She was actively involved in University life until her death in 2002. She has the distinction of being not only a Duke alumnae, but also a faculty wife, and the daughter, mother, and grandmother of Duke alumni.
Rankin's father, D. W. Newsom attended Trinity College from 1895-1899. While a student, he worked as the personal secretary for President John Kilgo. He also edited the literary magazine The Trinity Archive, was elected Phi Beta Kappa, and was a member of 9019, Kappa Alpha, and Sigma Upsilon. After graduation, Newsom worked as Trinity College's registrar (1901-1907) and treasurer (1907-1923). He died in 1949.
From the guide to the Dorothy Newsom Rankin Papers, 1894-1997, (University Archives, Duke University)
