IN GRATEFUL MEMORIAM
JAMES “JIM” H. WHARTON,PhD JULY 23, 1937-MAY 22, 2021
By Sara Exner Whittaker ‘00
The Wharton family is pictured celebrating the wedding of Ashby Tonore and Beau Hadskey ‘09, February 8, 2020. (Left to Right) Alex Hadskey ’13, Will Wharton ’20, Sherri Wharton Hadskey, Ashby Tonore Hadskey, Beau Hadskey ‘09, Joan Wharton, Dr. Jim Wharton, Dr. Scott Wharton ’87, Bridget Wharton, Sam Wharton ’16, and Jake Wharton ‘15
experiences, sharing about his friend, “Jim was the smartest and most articulate man I have ever known. He seemed to have the answers before the questions were asked. He co-chaired the UHS building fundraiser with Brett Furr ’79 and me some years ago. Not just that, but he leveraged the money raised five“Who is Jim Wharton? Look around in crime,” even meeting in the bottom fold to get much additional work done. the school and talk to someone who was of a ditch that needed to be covered to He helped LSU come out of the dark there 16 years ago. In everything that has accommodate facilities expansion. For ages when he was chancellor. He never been done in terms of facilities, you’ll Smith, this funny memory exemplifies sought credit for any of his contributions find his footprint and handprint,” shared Wharton’s passionate commitment to LSU or UHS.” Wade Smith, PhD, former longtime ULS to ULS, which is reflected in (among Asked what Wharton’s legacy will be, superintendent. many other projects) the PenningtonSmith quickly explained that Wharton’s Like so many who had the honor of McKernan Multipurpose Gymnasium, life was all about legacy. “For Jim, life partnering with Dr. Wharton – whose expansion of the elementary school, was an intentional effort to make sure stellar career included serving as LSU covering the infamous ditch, and generations to come would be able chancellor from 1981-89 – Smith renovating the athletic facilities, E. B. Ted to benefit from his work. That’s the experienced that a standout quality was Robert Auditorium, Albritton Hall, and difference between just living a life and his “bulldog tenacity.” That, combined choir and band hall. leaving a legacy.” with Wharton’s deep institutional Notably, Smith said, “Every bit There’s no question that, true to the knowledge, created a “formidable package” happened without taking a penny of reputation he built over decades of that Smith said emerged in every one of the taxpayer’s dime. We accomplished it selflessly applying his bulldog tenacity the many projects they collaborated on through private donations and creation of to the projects he believed in, Wharton over the span of 15 years. bonds.” accomplished his aim. Smith reflected, Smith saw Wharton get into the Smith credits Wharton’s level of “The Lab School would be virtually trenches – literally – time after time preparedness and knowledge with making unrecognizable in terms of what is today to support ULS, where his son and countless visions a reality. Wharton was if you didn’t put Jim Wharton in the grandchildren attended. When Smith known to come to a conversation with picture.” joined ULS as head administrator, the extensive knowledge, no matter the topic, University Laboratory School proudly school had begun renovations, but there because he either had direct experience and gratefully celebrates Dr. Wharton’s were many projects yet to be tackled or had spent time researching and indelible impact and is honored by his to modernize and expand. He and positioning himself to serve. real-life example of giving total effort in Wharton became “conceptual partners Richard Lipsey ’57 echoed Smith’s every endeavor.
