Dr. Bilbo with his wife Carolyn (front) and children (back row, left to right) Tammy Johnson, Jimmy W. Bilbo and Debbie Murray.
Dr. Jimmy T. Bilbo has been named the 2014 Distinguished Alumnus of the Helen DeVos College of Education at Lee University.
“I have admired Dr. Jim Bilbo as a quintessential gentleman and scholar who reflects Christ’s image with brilliance ever since he interviewed me for my teaching position at Lee in 1981,” said Lee faculty member Dr. JoAnn Higginbotham. “I remember the respect and consideration with which he always treated everyone and his rapt attentiveness to each of his students. His imprint remains in each of our lives.”
Coming to Cleveland from Poplarville, Mississippi, in 1951, Dr. Bilbo graduated from Lee College in 1958. He began teaching high school in Nashville soon afterwards. After earning a master’s degree from Peabody College, he returned to Lee to be part of the faculty of The Academy, Lee’s on-campus high school, in 1961 to teach American History.
“Dr. Bilbo was essential in the leadership of Lee College as the school expanded its mission into the liberal arts,” said Dr. Bill Estes, dean of the HDCOE.
In 1968 Dr. Bilbo became chair of Lee’s education department and was instrumental in its foundation and initial relations with Tennessee’s Department of Education. With his doctorate from the University of Southern Mississippi, Dr. Bilbo led the department for 35 years.
“Dr. Bilbo has impacted thousands of prospective teachers through his leadership in the teacher education program of Lee University,” said Lee faculty member Dr. Pamela Browning. “His dedication to a cause quite literally paved the way for both state and national certification of the program.”
In his retirement, Dr. Bilbo now farms both chickens and cattle in eastern Bradley County.
Dr. Bill Estes presenting Dr. Jim Bilbo with the 2014 HDCOE Distinguished Alumnus award.