2012 Turman Alumni Service Award Recipient Virginia Bales Harris 71C 77PH

The 2012 J. Pollard Turman Alumni Service Award will be presented on March 29 to Virginia Bales Harris 71C 77PH, a noted public health advocate who served many leadership roles during her 35-year tenure at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Additionally, Harris was recently named one of 175 Emory Makers of History who have impacted Emory and the world beyond during the 175 years of Emory’s history.

The honors bestowed upon Harris are well-deserved.  Early in her tenure she worked on programs in tuberculosis control, environmental health, and epidemiology.  As the founding Deputy Director of the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, she was instrumental in creating the national breast and cervical cancer early detection programs, along with smoking cessation programs for youth, and national stroke and heart disease prevention initiatives. As CDC’s deputy director for program management under former CDC director Jeffrey Koplan, Harris helped update the agency’s master building plan and secure funding for new facilities.

At Emory University, Harris has held every volunteer leadership position within the Rollins School of Public Health and has been instrumental in furthering alumni campaign giving. Referring to Emory as her “touch stone,” she is committed to tirelessly serving the University and actively engaging alumni. 

About the J. Pollard Turman Alumni Service Award and the Tull Charitable Foundation

Established in 1998, the J. Pollard Turman Alumni Service Award is one of the highest honors of the Emory Alumni Association.  J. Pollard Turman 34C 36L was an influential humanitarian whose support of higher education and cultural organizations benefited institutions throughout Georgia.  In 1996, through the generosity of the Tull Charitable Foundation (an organization Turman helped form) Emory established the award to pay tribute to his lifelong contributions to the University.  In 2005 the Tull Charitable Foundation significantly elevated its level of financial support to Emory through a generous pledge to donate $25,000 annually in honor of the Turman Award recipient.

Harris will be the 22^nd recipient of the award.  As the awardee, Harris may designate which Emory academic or non-academic program, school, or division is to receive the Tull Charitable Foundation $25,000 gift.

Harris was selected for her “extraordinary service to Emory through alumni organizations, regional clubs, class programs, and other related groups” and her “exceptional contributions of time and expertise, as part of her volunteer service on behalf of Emory.”

For more information, please contact Leslie Wingate, Emory Alumni Association at lwingat@emory.edu.