GOVE GOVE RNORS RNORS

1927-1931;

1935-1939

ALABAMA

David Bibb Graves (Alpha Beta–Alabama c.1892)

1932-1936

ALABAMA

Frank Murray Dixon (Lambda–Virginia 1913)

ALABAMA

Benjamin Meek Miller (Mu Second–Erksine College 1884)

MISSISSIPPI

Martin Sennett Conner (Alpha Upsilon–Mississippi 1907)

1943-1947

GEORGIA

Ellis Arnall, Georgia (Kappa–Mercer 1925)

• Eliminated Georgia’s poll tax, lead Georgia to become first state with voting age at 18

• Later became director of the Office of Price Stabilization in 1952, appointed by President Truman

1952-1956; 1956 -1960

1952-1955

ARKANSAS

Francis A. Cherry (Beta Xi–Oklahoma State 1927)

• The second Arkansas Governor to lose re-election

• According to issues of The Journal, he attended Alpha Omicron’s (Arkansas) Chapter House Dedication, November 15, 1952, and spoke to the Beta Xi Chapter during recruitment (rush) in 1953

DELAWARE

J. Caleb Boggs (Beta Epsilon–Delaware 1928)

• Recipient of the Order’s Award for Distinguished Achievement

• Lost final Senate election to future U.S. President Joe Biden

1971–1975

MISSISSIPPI

Bryant Winfield Culberson Dunn (Alpha Upsilon–Mississippi 1948)

• Dentist, health care executive

• Successfully lobbied for kindergarten at public schools across Tennessee

Thoughts And Deeds

While KA has had 20 total governors, there are interesting points to note between the Order, U.S. history, and general knowledge.

First KA Governor

TEXAS

William P. Clements, Jr. (Beta Lambda–Southern Methodist 1936)

• Deputy Secretary of Defense before his first term as governor

• At the end of his second term in 1991, his eight years in office were the most served by any Texas governor until Rick Perry surpassed his total in 2000

1998-1999

FLORIDA

Kenneth H. “Buddy” MacKay, Jr. (Beta Zeta–Florida 1977)

• KA’s shortest term Governor. Assumed the duties of the governorship upon the death of Gov. Lawton Chiles, and served for twenty-four days before Gov. Jeb Bush was inaugurated

Joseph W. “Holy Joe” Folk (Chi–Vanderbilt 1888) served as Chi Chapter Number IX; initiated with future Journal editor Verner Jones (Chi–Vanderbilt 1888). He served Missouri from 1905 to 1909 and was considered a significant reformer and moral politician. In this sense, he advocated for the “Missouri Idea,” the concept that Missouri should be a leader in public morality through popular control of law and strict enforcement. Among many reforms he accomplished, he had a successful crackdown on child labor.

Two KA Governors Meet; We wonder what they said to one another?

• Gov. Jeb Bush’s son, John E. Bush, Jr. (Omicron–Texas 2003) is an initiate 1999-2003; 2003-2007

WEST VIRGINIA

Earl Ray Tomblin (Alpha Rho–West Virginia 1971)

COLORADO

Bill Owens (Delta Kappa–Stephen F. Austin State 1970)

• The only KA Governor who was a contemporary chapter brother with a future Knight Commander, J. Michael Duncan (Delta Kappa–Stephen F. Austin State 1969)

2010-2011; 20112013; 2013-2017

What did the Governor of Delaware say to the Governor of Arkansas? These two KA governors got together in Washington during a Governor's Conference on April 27, [1954]. Left is Caleb Boggs (Beta Epsilon) of Delaware, shown with Francis Cherry (Beta Xi and Alpha Omicron) of Arkansas. Each of them has figured in the news this year. Brother Cherry lost his bid for reelection by less than 5,000 votes. And Brother Boggs was in the thick of the commotion created by the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to outlaw segregation in the schools. Delaware was a crucial battleground in the effort to integrate. Photo Caption, Kappa Alpha Journal, November 1954, p. 4.

Three KA Governors once before? History Repeats Itself!

Today, as noted on the cover, KA boasts three sitting Governors: Henry D. McMaster, South Carolina (Rho–South Carolina '67); Tate Reeves, Mississippi (Alpha Mu–Millsaps '93); and Bill Lee, Tennessee (Nu–Auburn '78).

In a feat of historical irony, nearly 100 years ago in 1924, KA also had three sitting Governors … in the same three states: in South Carolina—Thomas McLeod (Delta–Wofford 1888), Mississippi—Henry Louis Whitfield (Alpha Mu–Millsaps c.1886), and Tennessee—Austin Peay (Omega–Centre c.1894)

Wait—Five Concurrent KA Governors?

Three Governors is one big feat indeed. But how about five? In addition to McLeod, Whitefield, and Peay, Oramel Hinckley Simpson (Psi–Tulane c.1890) became Governor of Louisiana upon the death of the sitting Governor Henry Fuqua on October 11, 1926, making four KAs as heads of their states. And, when Bibb Graves (Alpha Beta–Alabama c.1892) was inaugurated the first time on January 17, 1926, a KA sat in five Governor’s mansions—10.41% of the then 48 States. This lasted for one day. McLeod’s term ended on January 18.

No one is above the law!

The following is a humorous, minorly salacious comparative to today, Journal reprint of a clipping and commentary from 1923: Editor’s Scrapbook [clippings sent in by members]

Even governors are not exempt. We regret to publish the sad fact that Governor Austin L. Peay, Omega, has been fined for speeding. Small fry take note.

GOVERNOR PEAY CAUGHT SPEEDING

Raleigh, North Carolina, July 11.—A motorcycle patrolman on the lookout for speeders along a Henderson County road bagged two Governors in one haul.

Overtaking the limousine of Governor [Cameron A.] Morrison, who was showing Governor Peay, of Tennessee, some of North Carolina's highways, the officer, to whom high-sounding titles meant nothing, demanded a $10 forfeit.

"Lend me $10," said the Governor of North Carolina to the Governor of Tennessee. "With pleasure," said the Governor of Tennessee to the Governor of North Carolina, and the money was handed over to the officer.—The Sun, Baltimore, 12 July, 1923. Kappa Alpha Journal, November 1923, p. 28.

Only KA Governor to be inducted into a Court of Honor—in his office.

Earl Ray Tomblin (Alpha Rho–West Virginia 1971) has the notation of being the only KA Governor to be inducted into a Court of Honor—in his office. On September 4, 2004, the Hamilton Court of Honor preceptor, Larry Ledsome (Beta Upsilon–Marshall '59), registrar Mike Cobb (Beta Upsilon–Marshall '65), and Bill Wood (Alpha–Washington & Lee '03), grandson