ING ING

Why did you join Kappa Alpha Order?

MCMASTER: Rho Chapter

KAs began inviting me and others to events during the summer of our graduation from high school. I was very impressed with these men, as were many of my friends. I met Province Commander E. Fleming Mason, a retired FBI agent, who introduced me to the history of KA and the prominent status of its alumni in South Carolina. The day I received my bid is one I will never forget.

REEVES: When I started school at Millsaps College, I knew that I wanted to get involved with an organization that would help build my leadership skills while also giving me the opportunity to network with other students and build lifelong friendships. When it came time to rush, I knew that KA would be a perfect fit.

What is your favorite KA memory with your brothers from college?

MCMASTER: I will forever remember the lengthy, late night voting sessions in which the brothers discussed, debated, and decided which aspirants would be asked to join the chapter. We followed the law and protocols. We respected and heard differing opinions, often at great lengths. But as the day broke, we left the room united as one, confident in our decisions and eager to succeed and prosper as a chapter with our new brothers.

REEVES: I have way too many favorite memories as a KA to pick just one. The entire experience is one I reflect upon often. The opportunity to get to know brothers from all different backgrounds and walks of life is one of my favorite parts of joining KA. Getting to know them and having the opportunity to learn and grow together as brothers was a key highlight of my college career.

Tate Reeves

65th Governor of Mississippi f Initiated 1993, Alpha Mu Chapter, Millsaps College f Member, Irwin Court of Honor f From 1993 to 1997, Alpha Mu won four George C. Marshall Awards for Chapter Excellence f Wife, Elee; three daughters, Tyler, Emma, and Maddie

Since 1972, the most federally declared disasters in Mississippi in any one year was four. In Governor Reeves’ first 14 months in office, there were 14. During his tenure, Mississippi faced down historic flooding and tornadoes, a worldwide pandemic, and the failure of the capital city’s water system. Through multiple crises, Governor Reeves brought a steady hand and commonsense-driven leadership to protect the lives and livelihoods of Mississippians.

When elected in 2003 to his first public office, Governor Reeves became the youngest state treasurer in our country. He was elected in 2011 and re-elected four years later as the 32nd Lieutenant Governor, leading the Mississippi Senate. A Rankin County native, Governor Reeves is a graduate of Florence High School and an honors graduate of Millsaps College, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in economics. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation.

KA’s values are reverence, gentility, knowledge, leadership, brotherhood, and excellence. Our purpose is to be a moral compass for the modern gentleman. Which of these do you find most important for college students today, and why?

MCMASTER: I believe that all of KA’s values can be included in our goal of excellence. Excellence in all of one’s endeavors must be based on reverence, gentility, knowledge, leadership —as well as morality and kindness. Young men who understand this will achieve success.

REEVES: While all of KA’s values are integral for success, I would encourage students to really focus on their leadership skills and strive for excellence. I often think Ronald Reagan summed it up best when he said: “The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does great things. He is the one that gets people to do great things.” It’s important to realize early on that leadership begins with a commitment to bettering yourself and the people around you. Good leaders are those who invest in others and encourage those around them to strive for excellence as well. In order to become an effective leader, you must surround yourself with mentors who are willing to provide you with the guidance needed to grow both personally and professionally. While I was involved in KA, I had the opportunity to surround myself with mentors and others who helped me refine my leadership skills and who pushed me to strive for excellence. I firmly believe KA helps shape the next generation of leaders through these foundational values.

Do you still stay in touch with your chapter brothers from college? If so, do you gather or connect with them annually?

MCMASTER: My brothers from Rho chapter are still today among my best and most treasured friends. As Province Commander, I also had the honor of knowing other generations of KAs. In all of my social and professional experience since that time, any KA brother receives my greeting and opinion with an automatic reputation of respect, trust and camaraderie. And yes, we stay in touch.

REEVES: Some of my best friends are my chapter brothers from Millsaps. We may not see one another as often as we’d like; however, they each have played an important role in my life. I’m grateful for the friendships, connections, and relationships that my time as a KA has given me. The bonds made during college have proven to still be strong even all these years later.

What kind of leadership or networking ability, or another attribute, did you experience in KA that has helped you in your personal life or professional career?

MCMASTER: When I was a young man, KA confirmed to me the importance of being a gentleman—in thought, word, and deed—as taught to me as a child by my family. As a grown man, I came to fully understand the incomparable value of these lessons. They have made all the difference.

REEVES: All of the KA values have served me well throughout both my personal and professional life. I learned a lot about leadership, but I also learned a great deal about the importance of networking. The relationships we build today help define the individual that we become and our future both professionally and personally.

How do you feel membership in a fraternity or sorority is helpful to students as they graduate today?

MCMASTER: I believe that one’s being in a fraternity or sorority is a unique, invaluable experience. The lessons of leadership, character, and friendship are presented and learned better in no other endeavors. The depth of these lessons is not fully understood and appreciated until one’s college years have passed.

REEVES: Fraternity and sorority memberships are incredibly valuable experiences for students to have. These memberships equip students with important life skills while also providing them with an opportunity to network and build relationships with other students and organizations. Some of my best friendships were made during my time as a KA and many of those friends I can still call on today. The relationships one makes through fraternities and sororities are lifelong and that speaks highly to the value of these institutions.

Explain or relate a tough situation you’ve dealt with while in office?

MCMASTER: Many important decisions face those who enter public service. This is because your decision will affect not only you, but many others who are depending on you, on varying degrees, for their safety,

Bill Lee

50th Governor of Tennessee f Initiated in 1978, Nu Chapter, Auburn University f Nephew and Brother both KA alumni f Wife, Maria; four adult children, Jessica, twin sons Jacob and Caleb, and Sarah Kate, and nine grandchildren prosperity, health, and happiness. My advice: Prepare your mind and knowledge for these decisions. Ask questions of and listen carefully to others who have insight and understanding of these issues. Think deeply and remember that often there is no perfect solution to a challenge. Then, make your decision, letting your moral compass and your own good judgement be your guide.

The governor and first lady are people of strong faith. They are active in numerous faith-based ministries, which have taken them all over the world to serve people in need, including to Africa, Haiti, Central America, and the Middle East. His election as governor in 2018 was his first attempt at achieving public office.

After attending Williamson County Schools, Governor Lee attended Auburn University, where he studied Mechanical Engineering. After graduation, he returned home to Franklin to join the family business his grandfather had started in 1944, a comprehensive mechanical construction service company. He became president of Lee Company in 1992. Bill Lee is a seventh-generation Tennessean. He was raised in Franklin, where he still resides today.

REEVES: Being the 65th Governor of Mississippi has been the greatest honor of my life. However, it has not been without its challenges. I was sworn into office in January 2020, and I could not have predicted what that first year would hold. In Mississippi, prior to 2020, the most federally declared disasters in any one year was 4. During my first 14 months in office, we had 14 federally declared disasters, and only one of those was COVID.

From hurricanes to tornadoes, floods to ice storms, and even a global pandemic, Mississippi has faced a lot but emerged stronger through it all. Although those circumstances were not ideal, I’m proud that I had the opportunity to help Mississippi navigate each challenge. Throughout my entire career in public service, my goal has always been and will continue to be doing what is in the best interest of every Mississippian. The best leadership skills are often forged through hardship. Much of what I learned about leadership during my time as a KA has helped me tremendously while I have served through the challenges as governor.

What do you feel has been your most proud accomplishment while as a Governor?

MCMASTER: I am happy to be able to play a role in reminding the men, women and children of South Carolina of the greatness of our state, and her people. Our history is magnificent, our future bright. Our successes are founded on our economic growth, our educational excellence, and our natural and cultural heritage. But it is the strength and goodness of our people which make South Carolina an incomparable place to live, work, and raise a family. Confidence produces progress.

REEVES: Nothing makes me prouder than seeing Mississippi succeed. Despite the challenges, our state has continued to thrive and that’s due in large part to the resiliency of our people and their determination to make our state an even better place.

My goal has always been to make Mississippi the best state in the nation to live, work, learn, and raise a family. One of the areas I’m most proud of, is what we’ve been able to accomplish from an economic development standpoint. In 2022, alone, we’ve seen a record $6 billion in new capital investment which is more than seven times the previous average of approximately $900 million a year before I became Governor. And it helped us to finalize the largest economic development project in Mississippi history—a $2.5 billion capital investment that will create 1,000 new jobs with an average salary of $100,000 a year. Unemployment is at an all-time low in Mississippi, and I’m very proud of that.

I’m also proud of Mississippi teachers and kids. In 2012, Mississippi was dead last in fourth-grade Math. Now, we’re above the national average at Number 23. That means that over the last ten years, since we passed education reform, Mississippi has surpassed half the states in the nation. We’ve gone from needs improvement to most improved. We’ve led the nation in fourth grade reading and math gains. Students from all walks of life are finding more success.

What advice would you give a KA thinking of entering public service, particularly staff positions or even elected office?

MCMASTER: If you are interested in public service, or any other important endeavors, my advice is the same: Be sure you understand the nature of the undertaking, the likely benefits and risks, the time involved, and the impact on your family and loved ones. Don’t enter too early; don’t enter too late. But remember: No time will be perfect, and the only time you know for certain that you have is now.

REEVES: For all those thinking about entering public service, I say go for it. I was in my late 20s when I decided to run for state office and ended up becoming the youngest state treasurer in the nation at the time. We need more public servants who are ready and willing to help better their communities.

It’s vitally important that anyone seeking a career in public service place themselves among other successful people who will challenge and mentor them in a way that will help foster success. I would also encourage them to be willing to learn from others and be willing to admit when they make a mistake. Mistakes are great learning experiences; they often provide the most formative experiences that will shape our character and capacity for making decisions in the future.

Further, to be a good leader and successful public servant, you cannot be afraid to think outside of the box and step outside your comfort zone. It’s also important to keep a positive attitude. Nothing beats a hard worker with a positive attitude.

Henry McMaster 117th Governor of South Carolina

f Initiated 1967, Rho Chapter, University of South Carolina f Member, Frampton Court of Honor; Recipient, Knight Commander’s Accolade f Former Province Commander f Wife, Peggy; two adult children and two grandchildren

McMaster received a bachelor's degree in history from the University of South Carolina. In 1973, he graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Law. He also served in the U.S. Army Reserves, receiving an honorable discharge in 1975. McMaster practiced law for more than 40 years. He was the first U.S. attorney appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1981. He was elected lieutenant governor in 2014. McMaster was sworn in as governor in January 2017 following then-Governor Nikki Haley’s appointment as United States Ambassador to the United Nations. He was elected to a full term as governor in November 2018 and re-elected in November 2022.

Governor McMaster served on the Palmetto Health Foundation Board and is the recipient of the Order of the Palmetto, the state's highest civilian honor awarded to citizens of South Carolina for extraordinary lifetime service and achievements of national and statewide significance. He was previously named Public Servant of the Year by the Sierra Club and National Law Enforcement Officer of the Year by the Humane Society of the United States.