HARRISON MEMORIAL SET

Southeast Missouri State University will hold a memorial service Wednesday for former regent and major benefactor Donald L. Harrison.

Harrison, 72, died Dec. 19, at Southeast Missouri Hospital after collapsing at a Christmas party.

He had served on the Board of Regents since 1989. He was president of the board from April 1993 to fall 1996.

The memorial service will be held at 4:30 p.m. in Dempster Hall's Glenn Auditorium. Dempster Hall is home of the College of Business, which bears Harrison's name. The service is open to the public.

Don Dickerson, president of the Board of Regents, will speak at the service and present a resolution of honor from the board. Also scheduled to speak are Joe Regenhardt of Delta Companies; Harrison's widow, Joan; and Southeast's president, Dr. Dale Nitzschke.

Missouri Supreme Court Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh Jr. will give the invocation. Southeast student Neal E. Boyd of Sikeston will sing three songs, including "Amazing Grace."

The Air Force ROTC detachment at Southeast will post the colors.

Harrison retired as chief executive officer of Delta Companies, which dealt in heavy construction, highway construction, and the production of stone, sand and gravel. Under his leadership, the companies built many miles of the primary and interstate highway systems in Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana.

From 1965 to 1980, his firms were responsible for building several sections of the Pan American Highway in Guatemala and El Salvador.

A reception will follow the service in the Dempster Hall atrium.

The memorial service will follow a regular meeting of the Board of Regents, scheduled for 1:30 p.m. in Dempster Hall.