Norman Harris

Norman Harris was inducted into the inaugural College of Applied Human Sciences Hall of Fame in the fall of 2025. He was previously inducted into the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences Hall of Fame in 1993.

Harris earned his Bachelor of Science degree in physical education from West Virginia University in 1962. He began his career as a teacher and basketball coach at Lackey High School in Maryland, where his team finished as state runner-up in just his second year.

From 1964-73, Harris held executive sales and management positions with Ryan Homes, National Homes, and Morrison Homes, working throughout the East Coast and in California. He was named president of Florida International Corporation in 1973, a holding company for several land development firms.

In 1977, Harris became CEO and president of Olin American Homes of Florida, which closed more than 1,100 homes in Orange and Seminole counties during his tenure and saw company revenue increase by 90 percent. He later founded Harris American Homes, Inc. in 1984, a company that focused on residential construction and development in Florida and Texas.

Following the acquisition of his Florida operations by Monarch Homes in 1987, Harris became president and CEO of the company, a U.S. subsidiary of George Wimpey, PLC, one of the world’s largest builders. Monarch developed homes across Texas, Florida, Georgia, Virginia, and Maryland, with expansion into Arizona and the Carolinas. Harris continued leading Harris American Homes following his departure in 1991.

A nationally recognized business leader in residential and commercial development, Harris has held numerous industry leadership roles and served as a bank director in Winter Park, Florida. He was also a member of the National Home Builders Association and Florida Home Builders Association, and a member of Urban Land Institute. WVU named its Future Fit Lab in his honor. 

Harris passed away in 2021 at the age of 85.