Episcopal Press and News
Harris Elected Bishop of Alaska
Episcopal News Service. November 26, 1980 [80432]
Anchorage, Alaska -- The convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Alaska has elected the Rev. George Clinton Harris to be its fifth bishop.
The election came on the 12th ballot when he received the required majority of votes in both the clerical and lay orders. The Rev. Donald P. Hart, St. Matthew's Church, Fairbanks, was second in the voting at the convention at St. Mary's Church here on Nov. 21.
Harris, who has been director of the Dakota Leadership Program, Mobridge, S. D., since 1974, has indicated acceptance of his election which has to be ratified by the diocesan bishops and standing committees of the Church.
When he is consecrated next year, Harris will succeed the Rt. Rev. David R. Cochran who is retiring at the age of 65. Cochran has been bishop of the diocese since 1974.
Harris was born Dec. 19, 1925 in Brooklyn, N.Y. His education in civil engineering was at Rutgers University and his theological education was received at General Theological Seminary in New York City. He has also studied at the Leadership Academy for New Directions, the Hartford Seminary Foundation, the College of Preachers, Lehigh Valley Pastoral Institute, and Bellevue Hospital in New York.
Harris has served as chaplain and principal in schools in the Philippines and has served in parishes in New York City and Hazleton, Pa.
The Dakota Leadership Program is a ministry development program among the Indians of North and South Dakota. Bishop Cochran was also director of the Program before his election to the episcopacy.