Ed Harris

Earl Edward ?Ed? Harris, age 73, of Prescott passed away October 25, 2005.  Ed was born on November 15, 1931 in West Burlington, Iowa son of Earl and Anna Harris.             After receiving his B.A. from the University of Northern Iowa and his M.A. from the University of Minnesota Ed married his high school sweetheart, Evonne L. Meier on May 29th, 1954.             Ed started his career in education as a teacher in the Davenport Iowa Community School Dist. from 1955-63.  He then moved to DeKalb, Illinois where he took a position as assistant professor at Northern Illinois University (N.I.U.) while working on his Doctorate in Education at the same university.  His graduation in 1965 was witnessed by both his children: Julie Ann of Champaign, IL. and James Edward of DeKalb, IL., which led his career to full professor in 1968.  During his tenure at NIU he was the Chairman of the Department of Business Education and Administrative Services from 1973-81.  Among his numerous accomplishments while serving his community at NIU were the following selected professional honors and awards; Ä     United States Association for Small Business Administration and Entrepreneurship, First Place Winner National Entrepreneurship Education Model Program Award, 1990. Ä     Inducted into National Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame, 1989. Ä     Founder and first Executive Director of the Illinois Institute for Entrepreneurship Education, 1988. Ä     Entrepreneur of the Year Award, Ernst & Young and Inc. Magazine, 1989. Ä     Distinguished Service Award-Illinois Vocational Education Personnel Development Association, 1989. Ä     Freedom Foundation Leavey Award for Excellence in Private Enterprise Education, 1988. Ä     Northern Illinois University Distinguished Alumni Award, 1988. Ä     U.S. Small Business Administration, SBA Golden Medallion Award, 1988. Ä     Sales and Marketing Executive International, Educator of the Year Award, 1988. Ä     National Marketing Education Association Distinguished Service Award, 1987. Ä     Friends of Small Business Award Founder Award, 1987. Ä     Freedom Foundation National Award for Excellence in Economic Education, 1987. Ä     Commissioned a Kentucky Colonel by Governor Martha Layne Collins, 1987. Ä     Listed in Who?s Who in the World, 1983-89. Ä     Listed in Who?s Who in America, 1982-90. Ä     Listed in Who?s Who in Midwest, 1976-91. Ä     Listed in Men of Achievement, 1973 and 1976 editions. Ä     Listed in Dictionary of International Biography, 1972-76 editions. Ä     Certificates of Appreciation from U.S. White House Staff, Governor Thompson and Lt. Governor Ryan for contributions to White House and State Small Business Conferences, 1985. Ä     Illinois Business Education Distinguished Service Award, 1983. Ä     Illinois Marketing and Distributive Education Association Service Award, 1981. Ä     ?Man of the Year,? Distributive Education Clubs of Illinois, 1972. Ä     One of three Northern Illinois University professors selected to appear in the 1970 (1st edition) of Outstanding Educators of America. Ä     Excellence-in-Teaching Award, Northern Illinois University, 1969. Ä     Distributive Education Clubs of America Outstanding service Award, 1963.               After his ?retirement? from NIU in 1991 he and his wife moved to Prescott, AZ.  Ed continued to serve the community through Yavapai College.  In 1992 Ed volunteered and was selected as the community representative on the Yavapai College Presidential Selection Committee.  He designed and implemented a successful presidential search for the college.  In November 1994 he was elected to the Yavapai College board and during 1995-2000 created the mission statement for the college, wrote the community benefits statements and crafted a policy governance manual for the board.  In 2000 he was elected as Board chair and the community effort in support of the college?s $ 69.5 million master plan.  He was re-elected and remained the Board Chairman for 5 years.  It was one of his many dreams to help Yavapai College attain excellence in education.             Throughout his professional life he dedicated his work to the quality of education.  In his personal life his greatest joy was his granddaughter, Claudia Grace.  He will be remembered not only as a leader in his community, but as a devoted husband, loving father, a caring father in-law, adoring grandfather and a kind and generous friend to all who knew him.  Ed is survived by his wife Evonne, Daughter Julie Ann, Son James Edward, Daughter in-law Gracie, one grandchild Claudia Grace, 2 Brothers Eugene and his wife Ruth, Richard and his wife Carole.  We will all miss you.