In Memoriam: Farewell Dr. Wharton

IN GRATEFUL MEMORIAM JAMES “JIM” H. WHARTON,PhD

JULY 23, 1937-MAY 22, 2021

By Sara Exner Whittaker ‘00

“Who is Jim Wharton? Look around the school and talk to someone who was there 16 years ago. In everything that has been done in terms of facilities, you’ll find his footprint and handprint,” shared Wade Smith, PhD, former longtime ULS superintendent.

Like so many who had the honor of partnering with Dr. Wharton – whose stellar career included serving as LSU chancellor from 1981-89 – Smith experienced that a standout quality was his “bulldog tenacity.” That, combined with Wharton’s deep institutional knowledge, created a “formidable package” that Smith said emerged in every one of the many projects they collaborated on over the span of 15 years.

Smith saw Wharton get into the trenches – literally – time after time to support ULS, where his son and grandchildren attended. When Smith joined ULS as head administrator, the school had begun renovations, but there were many projects yet to be tackled to modernize and expand. He and Wharton became “conceptual partners in crime,” even meeting in the bottom of a ditch that needed to be covered to accommodate facilities expansion. For Smith, this funny memory exemplifies Wharton’s passionate commitment to ULS, which is reflected in (among many other projects) the PenningtonMcKernan Multipurpose Gymnasium, expansion of the elementary school, covering the infamous ditch, and renovating the athletic facilities, E. B. Ted Robert Auditorium, Albritton Hall, and choir and band hall.

Notably, Smith said, “Every bit happened without taking a penny of the taxpayer’s dime. We accomplished it through private donations and creation of bonds.”

Smith credits Wharton’s level of preparedness and knowledge with making countless visions a reality. Wharton was known to come to a conversation with extensive knowledge, no matter the topic, because he either had direct experience or had spent time researching and positioning himself to serve.

Richard Lipsey ’57 echoed Smith’s 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 fivefold to get much additional work done. He helped LSU come out of the dark ages when he was chancellor. He never sought credit for any of his contributions to LSU or UHS.”

Asked what Wharton’s legacy will be, Smith quickly explained that Wharton’s life was all about legacy. “For Jim, life was an intentional effort to make sure generations to come would be able to benefit from his work. That’s the difference between just living a life and leaving a legacy.”

There’s no question that, true to the reputation he built over decades of selflessly applying his bulldog tenacity to the projects he believed in, Wharton accomplished his aim. Smith reflected, “The Lab School would be virtually unrecognizable in terms of what is today if you didn’t put Jim Wharton in the picture.”

University Laboratory School proudly and gratefully celebrates Dr. Wharton’s indelible impact and is honored by his real-life example of giving total effort in every endeavor.

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