San Jacinto College vice chancellor for strategic initiatives Dr. Allatia Harris was named the 2019 Dr. Ed Lehr Chairman's Award recipient at the North Channel Area Chamber of Commerce annual gala on Jan. 23. The award recognizes individuals and businesses who have contributed to helping the community prosper and continue to advance the chamber's goals.
The annual award is presented in honor Dr. Ed Lehr, the first president of the College's North Campus, who helped establish the North Channel Area Chamber of Commerce. Lehr was an influential leader in the North Channel community and an early member of the area's North Shore Rotary Club that established many of community's parks and public services.
Harris has been a member of the chamber for most of her 12 years at San Jacinto College. She was recognized this year for her efforts in launching a new round of strategic planning to capitalize on the area's growth and to meet the community's service needs.
"It's a powerful, very diverse community of people that care deeply for each other," Harris said, "and it's a community of which I am proud to be a part."
One of her points of pride regarding the chamber of commerce is the chamber foundation's William C. Palko $5,000 scholarship that is awarded to a San Jacinto College student each year. Last year, the chamber had two strong finalists for the scholarship and ultimately awarded a second $2,000 scholarship to the runner-up that was personally funded by members of the chamber foundation.
"I'm proud to work with a group of people that care so much about the residents of the North Channel community," Harris said.