Centenary College honors local philanthropist O.Delton Harrison, Jr. with the George D. Nelson, Sr. Lifetime Service Award

 

Centenary President Dr. Christopher L. Holoman presented the 2021 George D. Nelson, Sr. Award for a Lifetime of Volunteer Service to Centenary College to Mr. O. Delton Harrison, Jr. posthumously. Mr. Shelby and Mrs. Adelaide Smith, Mr. Harrison’s sister and brother-in-law, accepted the award at the Leadership Banquet held on May 6 at the Petroleum Club, downtown Shreveport. The George D. Nelson, Sr. Award is named after longtime chair of the Centenary Board of Trustees and recognizes individuals who serve Centenary College as volunteer leaders.

“A pioneering art patron and generous philanthropist, Delton was a remarkable man with a passion for the arts and love of community. His accolades, accomplishments and contributions to our community and Centenary are many, including being the founder of the Red River Arts Festival,” commented Dr. Holoman. “Delton always exemplified the epitome of a Centenary Gent by giving back his time, treasure and talents to our community, the College and beyond.”

Delton served on many community boards, including Feist-Weiller Cancer Center and Robinson Film Center as well as Centenary’s Board of Trustees. He was named a Centenary honorary alumnus in 1994 and spent countless hours with faculty, staff and administration helping to support the initiatives of the College. In 1997 Delton was named the Outstanding Philanthropist of the Year by the North Louisiana Chapter of the National Society of Fund-Raising Executives. Delton’s dedication to improving Shreveport and the Centenary community were far reaching.

Nominations for the Nelson Award are presented to the Centenary College President and approved by the governance committee of the Board of Trustees. Previous recipients are Virginia Shehee, Charles Ellis Brown, John Palmer, Austin Robertson, Juan and Bonnie Watkins, Jane Hutchinson James, William “Wishy” Nolan, and James and Jean Goins.