In Memoriam
Elliott Paul Dawson died Aug. 2 at the age of 71. He was the founder and president of BioVentures and a former member of the Honors College Board of Visitors. Commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps, Dawson was a decorated Medevac helicopter pilot in Vietnam and later worked as a
licensed stock broker with Merrill Lynch in Manhattan and as a researcher with Veterans Affairs and Vanderbilt University. Dawson was known for his scientific work in molecular biology, which began with his B.S. in Biochemistry from MTSU in 1970 and eventually led to the founding of BioVentures in 1988. In 1990, Dawson conceived and undertook a plan to develop a range of DNA markers to map the human genome. These DNA markers have been used domestically and by Scotland Yard and Interpol to create a criminal database to determine those responsible for crimes.
BioVentures’ discoveries also enabled researchers to identify disease-causing microorganisms and how best to treat them. His efforts led to over 100 patents and have been instrumental in expanding knowledge of human DNA and to the treatment of a number of diseases. His achievements earned a National R&D 100 Award and collaborative research projects with universities in the U.S. and Europe and over 22 published research articles. Preceded in death by his parents Roy and Annie Dee Dawson, he is survived by his wife Susan Hope Dawson; a daughter; brother Scott (Barbara) Dawson; and sisters
served as a Tennessee state representative, and spent many years as a Church of Christ minister. Ozment spoke in the Honors College on a number of occasions. A Nashville attorney who tirelessly advocated for the rights of immigrants, Ozment was raised in East Nashville. He served a term in the state House representing District 60 in the 1970s, and as an attorney, he is best known for his legal challenge of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement program through
which the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office screened detainees for immigration violations. Ozment was preceded in death by his parents Lecil and Virginia Ozment. Survivors include sons Chris Ozment of Houston, Johan (Laura) Ozment of Nashville, and Alejandro Ozment; daughter Beth (David) Duryea; long-time companion Elizabeth Ozment; and grandchildren Samuel Duryea, Jacob Duryea, and Santiago Ozment.
In Memoriam
Harry Elliott Ozment, 71, died Oct. 16 after suffering a stroke. A renowned immigration attorney and passionate advocate of civil rights, he founded The Law Offices of Elliott Ozment, was a graduate of Vanderbilt Law School, formerly
Alumni
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