Background
BIZZELL, William Bennett was born on October 14, 1876 in Independence, Texas, United States. Son of George McDuffie and Sarah Elizabeth (Wade) Bizzell.
president University of Oklahoma
BIZZELL, William Bennett was born on October 14, 1876 in Independence, Texas, United States. Son of George McDuffie and Sarah Elizabeth (Wade) Bizzell.
Baylor University, Waco, Texas, Bachelor of Science, 1898, Doctor of Laws, 1919. Bachelor of Philosophy, 1900.
He was the fifth president of the, the president of Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas (now Texas Agricultural and Mechanical University), and the president of the College of Industrial Arts (now Texas Woman"s University). He received multiple degrees from Baylor University between 1898 and 1900 and from the University of Illinois College of Law between 1911 and 1912. From 1900 to 1910, he served as the superintendent of schools for Navasota, Texas.
From 1910 to 1914, he was president of the College of Industrial Arts in Denton, Texas and from 1914 to 1925, he was president of the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas in College Station, Texas.
In 1926, he headed to Norman, Oklahoma to become president of the effective July 1 of that year. He made many changes during his 15 years as president
In his first five years, he organized the utilities department at the university (previously, workmen reported directed to the university president for even the most trivial matters). Oversaw vast improvements to the university"s library system (for which the main library in the heart of the campus bears his name).
Presided over the building of Oklahoma Memorial Stadium and the McCasland Field House along with athletic director Bennie Owen.
Oversaw the new liberal arts building. Approved the creation of the School of Religion. Reorganized the School of Journalism.
Helped get funding for the creation of the University Medical Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Established the University Press. Increased the salary of the faculty.
Converted the School of Business from a two-year program to a four-year program and renamed it the College of Business Administration. And saw the building of the new Oklahoma Memorial Union.
By 1934, the University was the tenth largest state institution in the nation and 24th largest institution of higher learning in the nation.
The latter part of his presidency saw the construction of the new business administration building, the new biological sciences building, and the creation of the new Foundation. Bizzell was also a powerful orator. In the spring of 1940, he announced his resignation to be effective the next year.
The Board of Regents invited him to remain on the staff as president emeritus and head of the sociology department.
Just three years after resigned as president of the University, Bizzell died in Norman on May 13, 1944.
Member: (F.) American Association for the Advancement of Science. (F.) Royal Economic Society of England. American Economic Association.
Phi Beta Kappa; Acacia.
Spouse Carrie Wray Sangster, August 16, 1900, Navasota, Texas.