AUGUSTA – When Wayne A. Newell was a student at Princeton High School, he sat in the back of the classroom.

That’s where all the Passamaquoddy kids sat.

A row or two of empty seats separated them from the white students, who sat in the front rows and were most often called on by the white teachers.

That didn’t deter Newell from graduating, going on to college and being named a national treasure in the field of native education by his tribe and the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Newell, 64, of Indian Township on Thursday became the first American Indian in Maine endorsed by the Legislature’s Education Committee after being nominated to serve on the board of trustees of the University of Maine System.

Committee members voted 9-0, with four members absent, to recommend confirmation.

The committee also recommended William Johnson of Saco, a Mobil Oil retiree, for a second term on the UMS board.

The Senate is expected to quickly confirm both men.

Gov. John Baldacci last month nominated Newell to succeed James Mullen of Bangor. If confirmed, Newell will become one of 16 members and serve a five-year term.

Newell has been the director of bilingual education at the Indian Township School since 1988. He directed the first bilingual-bicultural education program for Maine Indian Education in the 1970s and has been instrumental in preserving the Passamaquoddy language.

“I’ve written about 400 books,” he told the committee, chuckling as he spoke, “but only about 600 people can read them.”

Newell attended Emerson College in Boston and Ricker College in Houlton. He earned a master’s degree in education from Harvard University, was endorsed by Passamaquoddy and Penobscot tribal chiefs, the head of the Maine Indian Tribal-Commission and elected leaders from Washington County.

“Wayne Newell is well-known and respected nationwide for his contributions to education,” his former English teacher, Nicholas N. Smith of Brunswick, said in written testimony.

“Wayne knows from experience the challenges involved in obtaining an education as well as the joys and pleasures that he has received from his education,” Smith said.

Sen. Kevin Raye, R-Perry, told the committee, “The entire Washington County delegation is in strong support of Wayne. He is a source of pride to his family, the Passamaquoddy people and the citizens of Washington County and Maine.”

Rep. Donald G. Soctomah, the Passamaquoddy representative to the Legislature, echoed that sentiment.

“As an example to his students, Wayne gives them hope that they someday, too, may become an asset to the state. He has a calm voice and much knowledge that the university system will benefit from.”

Newell also helped develop the American Indian studies program and the Wabanaki Center at the University of Maine in Orono. In 1995, he taught English classes on the Orono campus.

Tony Brinkley, who teaches English at UM, has worked with Newell on university projects over the past dozen or so years.

“What struck me throughout that time is Wayne’s vision and sense about what the future could be like and his realistic optimism. I can think of no one who can better represent the vision that the university system belongs to all the people of Maine.”

Brinkley noted that he, Newell and others have been before the Legislature’s Education Committee before to urge that the membership of the UMS board “look like the people of Maine.” He said he was pleased a step was being taken in that direction.

After Thursday’s hearing, Newell acknowledged the challenges the university system is facing. He said the board would need to continue to explore how to expand resources to meet growing costs of providing higher education while keeping it affordable and accessible.

Newell added that as a trustee, he would continue to be mindful that he is a role model not just for American Indian students but for young people throughout the state. He said he will continue to be an advocate for education as a way out of the poverty he faced as child on the reservation.

“Without education, you do not have choices,” he said after the hearing. “You are a victim of circumstance. Education helps you liberate yourself from your life.”