Bilbo, Jimmy Welch
Dr. Jimmy Welch Bilbo (1931-2020), originally from Poplarville, Mississippi, was a longtime professor and academic administrator at Lee College. He was best known for his impact on the early development of the teacher education program at Lee College in the 1960s through the 1980s, serving at the Director of Teacher Education and the Dean of the Division of Education. He helped many teachers and administrators in Bradley County, Tennessee, in their preparation for the teaching profession.
As a young man, Jimmy was an evangelist and licensed minister with the Church of God. He was a charter member of Westmore Church of God in Cleveland, Tennessee, where he had served briefly as the Sunday School Superintendent. He completed the B.A. from Lee College, the M.A. from George Peabody College for Teachers, and the Ph.D. from the University of Southern Mississippi. He was married to Carolyn DuPree Bilbo.
Upon his retirement from Lee, Dr. Bilbo was named Professor Emeritus of Education. The Bilbo Excellence in Student Teaching Award was established to commemorate his love for his students. He was named Distinguished Alumnus of the Helen DeVos College of Education in 2014. He was also inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame at Lee University.
As a young man, Jimmy was an evangelist and licensed minister with the Church of God. He was a charter member of Westmore Church of God in Cleveland, Tennessee, where he had served briefly as the Sunday School Superintendent. He completed the B.A. from Lee College, the M.A. from George Peabody College for Teachers, and the Ph.D. from the University of Southern Mississippi. He was married to Carolyn DuPree Bilbo.
Upon his retirement from Lee, Dr. Bilbo was named Professor Emeritus of Education. The Bilbo Excellence in Student Teaching Award was established to commemorate his love for his students. He was named Distinguished Alumnus of the Helen DeVos College of Education in 2014. He was also inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame at Lee University.