Remembering Dr. James Harrison

The LSUSD community mourns the death of James D. Harrison, DDS, emeritus professor of prosthodontics, who died on April 7, 2015, at the age of 90. Before his retirement in 2006, he spent 28 years at LSUSD, as chair of the Department of Fixed Prosthodontics for 18 years and then as coordinator of the Jack A. Rayson Simulation Laboratory. Following his retirement, he returned part-time to the school and taught for seven more years.

James D. Harrison, DDS

Dr. Harrison was a seaman in the U.S. Navy during WWII and later served in the U.S. Army Dental Corps. After graduation from St. Louis University School of Dentistry, he received his MSc and MA from The Ohio State University. Before coming to LSUSD in 1978, he taught at St. Louis University, where he became associate dean, and then at Southern Illinois University, where he was associate dean of education.

Dr. Harrison was a mentor to all, sharing his expertise in fixed and removable prosthodontics and electrosurgery. A respected researcher and scholar, he authored or co-authored many peer-reviewed scientific articles and abstracts. Due to his desire to give back to the profession and his tireless work ethic, he was selected to leadership positions in almost every organization in which he was a member. He served as president of the American Association of Dental Schools (presently ADEA) and president of the Supreme Chapter of Omicron Kappa Upsilon Dental Honor Society. He received the LSUSD Golden Apple Award and the LSUHSC Allen A. Copping Excellence in Teaching Award; he was also awarded the Alumni Merit Award from St. Louis University. In 2011 ADEA awarded him the Presidential Citation for contributions to dental education.

Dean Henry Gremillion said of Dr. Harrison, "His gentle, caring personality, his spirit and commitment to excellence in all that he did are some of the qualities that made him a leader in his community, in dental education, and in organized dentistry."

Dr. Harrison is survived by Janice, his wife of 57 years, his sons William and Thomas, daughter Susan, and eight grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter Nancy.

Colgate Recognizes Dental Hygiene

LSUSD dental hygiene students are the winners of a national contest sponsored by Colgate Oral Pharmaceuticals. During a 90-day period in fall 2014, students collected a total of 44 pounds of empty oral care products and packaging, such as toothpaste and floss containers. Colgate covered the cost of shipping the materials to a recycler.

The project was coordinated by Jennifer Ducharme, DHI student, and supervised by dental hygiene faculty members Geri Waguespack, RDH, MS, and Tricia Barker, RDH, MEd. Julie Schiavo, head dental librarian, also participated in the project. Annette Wolfe, RDH, Colgate academic manager, was responsible for the promotional contest.

(l-r) Julie Schiavo, Annette Wolfe, and Jennifer Ducharme with Colgate Bench

The students won a bench made from recycled materials, which has been placed outside the patio entrance to the Clinic Building. Colgate has also contributed a matching donation to the Autism Society of Greater New Orleans, the organization selected by the students.

For more photos, visit the LSU Health Sciences Center School of Dentistry Facebook page.