In 1934, as an undergraduate student at the University of Alabama, Pettus Randall, Jr. was invited to join various campus honor societies. An outstanding student, he valued these honors bestowed by his alma mater. But since he was in college during the Great Depression, membership dues and initiation fees would have been a financial burden for most University students.

He discussed this drawback to honors programs with Dr. George Denny, then president of the university, and as a result, Randall conceived an honors program whereby outstanding students are recognized for their accomplishments without dues or fees, called Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges.

While still a student, Randall created Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges, a distinguished biographical volume honoring the nation’s most noteworthy students of higher learning.

Who’s Who laid the foundation for a number of successful businesses. After graduating from law school at the University, Randall founded Randall Publishing Company. But a major interest was always the development and recognition of excellence in young people.

As a man who focused constantly on new ideas, he would be proud to recognize outstanding research by undergraduate students at The University of Alabama. His son Pettus and the company endowed the program in his memory.