NEWS

Local angle: Elkin

CHAPEL HILL -- One of the most respected and decorated dentists in North Carolina has created a far-reaching legacy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry.

Dr. James A. Harrell and his wife Isabel, long-time Carolina friends and benefactors, have endowed the $500,000 Jim and Isabel Harrell Distinguished Professorship in Family Dentistry. Their $333,000 gift will be supplemented with $167,000 from North Carolina’s Distinguished Professors Endowment Trust Fund.

"I am overwhelmed -- but not surprised -- by Jim’s and Isabel’s continued generosity to our School," said Dr. John Stamm, dean. "They provide tremendous energy and support for our school and countless other organizations. I never tire of thanking them for the many kindnesses they extend to our institution."

Harrell's love of dentistry began with his father, a dentist in their hometown of Elkin for 60 years. After graduating from Carolina in 1944, Harrell transferred to the Medical College of Virginia where he finished first in his dental class. He then opened his own practice in Elkin.

Harrell has watched dental education come a long way in North Carolina during his 55-year practice. In the 1930s and early 1940s, when North Carolina had no dental school, about 150 North Carolinians each year went to out-of-state dental schools such as Emory University and the Medical College of Virginia.

But after World War II, those schools had to satisfy the heavy demands in their own states as soldiers returned from the war and took advantage of the GI Bill. Consequently, the number of North Carolinians attending dental school plummeted into the single digits. In 1949, the state of North Carolina took measures to solve the problem by chartering a dental school.

"Daddy and I were so proud when our School of Dentistry at UNC-CH opened its doors in 1950, and our family has always been delighted to support it," Harrell said. "I’m also proud of the general and family dentists whom I think are the backbone of dentistry. Isabel and I had never heard of a professorship in general or family dentistry, so we are happy to establish such a professorship in our school."

Harrell and his wife have been committed to Carolina since the dental school opened. He has served as the president of the university’s General Alumni Association and director of the Educational Foundation.

And when it comes to raising money for the university, Harrell knows the drill. He headed the dental school’s steering committee during Carolina’s Bicentennial Campaign and raised $12 million -- more than double the goal. As chairman for his 50th class reunion, he helped raise more than $1.6 million.

Harrell has served in almost every major dental organization in the state and country. His accolades include: president of the Academy of General Dentistry, American College of Dentists and the North Carolina Dental Society; and vice-president of the American Dental Association.

In Elkin, Harrell was mayor for three terms and city commissioner for three more. He headed several major public service projects including building a new airport, fire station, library, and water and sewer systems.

Isabel Harrell has worked in her husband's practice since they were married. She was his "chairside assistant" for 23 years, then moved to the front office where she handles business affairs.

A 1944 graduate of Greensboro College, she took post-graduate courses at Columbia University and was director of religious education for two churches before marrying Jim Harrell. She also is an artist specializing in portraits and landscapes.

The Harrells have four children: Jim Jr. and Gavin practice dentistry in Elkin; Stephen is an optometrist in Elkin; and Deborah is a director of religious education in Hendersonville.

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