Heather Mosley | SBJ

2023 Men of the Year: David L. Harrison

Author

BY: Geoff Pickle, Digital Editorgpickle@sbj.net

Posted online August 18, 2023 | 1:49 pm

In His Words

Words to live by: You can’t do your best thinking about this if you keep perseverating about that.
Dream dinner party guest: Garrison Keillor, a master at spinning yarns that appeal to widely diverse audiences.
Strange but true fact: When I was a boy, I kept a horse skull in my bedroom; today, I keep a replica of a short-faced bear beside my keyboard.
Childhood dream: In third grade, I dreamed of being an astronomer, but a few years later I was old enough to date, and my dreams changed dramatically.
Advice to men: It’s not much of a parade if no one is willing to follow.

David L. Harrison has worn myriad caps throughout his career.

Among them are author, poet, public speaker, business owner, nonprofit founder, scientist, editor and musician. He recently added poet laureate for the state of Missouri to the list.

Gov. Mike Parson this summer appointed Harrison as Missouri’s seventh poet laureate for a term that runs 2023-25. In the role, he’ll work to foster poetry statewide via public appearances, readings, workshops and social media. The Missouri Arts Council administers the 2008-founded program on behalf of the governor’s office.

“As poet laureate, I’ll be working with two audiences,” Harrison says. “One is students, teachers, librarians and parents. The other is poets who focus on adult readers. Some poetry reaches both audiences more often than you might think.”

Harrison’s literary career leading up to the poet laureate appointment spanned six decades. He has published more than 100 books of poetry, fiction and nonfiction for young readers, as well as educational books for teachers. Additionally, his work has been anthologized in over 200 books, translated into 12 languages and presented on mediums such as television, radio and podcasts.

“We all bring our own combination of passion, experience and knowledge to what we contribute to our community,” Harrison says. “My combination of experiences has led me to volunteer in ways that allow me to bring business acumen to a variety of literacy projects.”

Harrison is a past member and president of the Springfield Public Schools Board of Education, and he was one of four people who started the Foundation for Springfield Public Schools.

He helped found the annual Celebrate SPS event, formerly the Teacher Appreciation Banquet, and the Sky High On Reading initiative to challenge students to read more books.

His board work has extended to the likes of Ozarks Technical Community College, Ozarks Public Television, the Better Business Bureau and Court Appoint Special Advocates of Southwest Missouri.

SPS’ David Harrison Elementary School is named after him, and in 2014, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Missouri State Board of Education chose Harrison for the Pioneer in Education Award for his work in public education.

“I’m proud of that because it recognizes a number of projects that I’ve led over 32 years of volunteering,” he says.

The accolades continue, as Harrison in October says he’s scheduled to be inducted into the SPS Hall of Fame. He’s also been nominated for The Arts Ambassador Award during the 38th annual Ozzie Awards organized by Springfield Regional Arts Council Inc.

United Way of the Ozarks President and CEO Greg Burris is among leaders who have recognized Harrison’s passion for the community. The two met when they were serving on the CASA board.

“David possesses the highest of character and is a person who truly cares about his community. He walks the talk and is highly respected in our community and beyond,” Burris says. “His name is synonymous with reading and literacy.”