He served as the second president of the University of Virginia, ascending to the position after the death of Edwin Alderman.
Newcomb, a member of the engineering faculty of the university, oversaw the university through the Depression and the Second World War and managed its physical expansion, including the building of Scott Stadium, the Bayly Art Museum, and Alderman Library.
from the College of William and Mary in 1900 and subsequently took a degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Virginia in 1903.
[4] Newcomb was appointed an adjunct professor of civil engineering in 1905 by the Board of Visitors of UVA.
In 1958 the Seven Society donated $17,777.77 to establish a loan fund for faculty and students in Newcomb's honor.