Harold Bishop: A Walking Legacy

Tall, neat, well-spoken, pioneer, family man, educator, encourager and mentor, Dr. Harold Bishop was a daily, walking piece of history, which this campus and his students were fortunate enough to have as part of their lives daily. His smile lit the classroom as his contagious zeal for higher education crept into the minds of the students he taught.

As Ralph Waldo Emerson stated, "It is not the length of life, but the depth of life." Hence Bishop understood that to break the barriers of the limitations of the minds one must learn from everyone and push to obtain the best life has to offer.

Bishop stood as a representation of change to each person he met. His simple "hello" exuded intelligence and passion for his love of education.

One of the first black professors at the University, Bishop's presence on this campus for the past 33 years helped to pave the way for future minority professors to educate at the Capstone.

The epitome of purpose, will power, principle and higher education, Bishop during his tenure at the University was a special assistant to former UA President David Mathews, served in numerous positions in the College of Education and, at the time of his passing, was a professor of education administration in the educational department of the College of Education.

Bishop co-founded the UA Superintendents Academy, a year-long program that assists the Alabama Department of Education in attracting and training more candidates for superintendent positions, in 2002

His presence was never easily forgotten by anyone he met. Bishop had the precious, privy gift of being able to entertain and make any person regardless of race, creed, or background feel as if they were important. His smile lit the classroom, as his contagious zeal for higher education crept into the minds of the students he taught.

As a campus body, we cannot fail to honor our own piece of history in Bishop, who passed away on Friday. Bishop was a professor on this campus who embodied integrity, character, family values, a love for all, intelligence and the understanding of the purpose of his life. He stood tall each day, challenging the minds of his students and the thinking power of those who met him. He was instrumental in helping blacks in being not only able to grace the campus but also become a part of this campus.

Dr. Harold Bishop, now an angel watching over us from heaven, left a legacy that will continue to walk the halls of the education department, the grass of the Capstone and hearts of his family, colleagues and students because of his determination, his will, his drive and his understanding that, as William James said, "the great use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it."

Leslie Raby is a graduate student in education administration. A scholarship fund has been established in the honor of Harold Bishop. Contact the College of Education for more information.