Lee Bidgood will be remembered for generations to come because he helped found the College Business at The University of Alabama.
Bidgood attended Churchland Academy and the University of Virginia, where he graduated with an A.B. in 1905 and an M.A. the following year. Bidgood married Emily Smith in 1914. Bidgood’s reputation as a teacher and scholar in economics led to his appointment at The University of Alabama. With the support of President George H. Denny, Bidgood convinced the board to take action, and in January 1920, the School of Commerce and Business Administration came into being. Bidgood was chosen as Dean. To accomplish the tremendous job of starting a college, he was given the administration’s good wishes, $7,000, one office, one classroom, one instructor, and two student assistants. Under Bidgood’s leadership, a building specifically designed for business programs was built in 1928. In 1929, the business school at The University of Alabama became the first, and for forty years thereafter remained the only, business school in Alabama to be accredited by the American Association of Collegiate School of Business. Bidgood held honorary degrees from The University of Alabama and New York University. He was elected president of the American Association of Collegiate School of Business. Two of Bidgood’s greatest honors came when he was invited to serve as interim president for The University of Alabama and the naming of Bidgood Hall in his honor.
