Alumni News
Leading the way KA becomes President of Millsaps College by Wendy Lovell
Since its founding in 1865, the Kappa Alpha Order has produced many leaders. Brothers have served with distinction in the military; have led some of the largest businesses in America; have entertained on the stage, the screen and on television; and have competed in professional sports. KAs also have served presidents and in Congress and as governors; in high levels in churches and as college presidents. Robert W. Pearigen (ΑΑ – Univ. of the South ’73) joined the ranks of KAs at the helm of some of the nation’s colleges and universities when he became Millsaps College’s 11th president on July 1. The liberal arts college in the heart of Jackson, Miss., is associated with the United Methodist Church and has students from 27 states and 24 countries. It offers 34 majors, 40 minors, and a master of business administration and master of accountancy through the Else School of Management. Dan Bowling (ΑΜ – Millsaps ’74) is an attorney on the faculties of Duke Law School and the University of Pennsylvania. He was on the selection committee that chose Pearigen as Millsaps new president.
Upon his appointment, Pearigen said it was a distinct privilege to become part of the Millsaps community.
Pearigen is no stranger to liberal arts institutions. An expert in Constitutional law, he’s a 1976 Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Sewanee and earned his master’s and doctoral degrees in political science at Duke University. Following academic appointments at Virginia Tech and Hillsdale College, he returned to Sewanee in 1987 as dean of students and a member of the political science department, rising from assistant professor to vice president. As Sewanee’s dean, Pearigen reorganized and oversaw the student affairs division, served on various university committees, played a leading
21
role in the design and construction of several buildings on campus, and was a leader in the campus fraternity and sorority restoration project. “Millsaps has a strong fraternity and sorority program, and I'm pleased that the legacy of the KA chapter is one of academic achievement, leadership, and community service. I look forward to working with our students, staff and alumni to enhance an already meaningful Greek system," he says. In his role as vice president for university relations, Pearigen served as the university’s chief development officer and led its $180 million capital campaign, which met and exceeded its goal by $26 million. His experience will serve Millsaps well as it has just concluded a $160 million capital campaign and is now working on its next strategic plan. Pearigen’s wife, Phoebe, is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of BirminghamSouthern College and Southern Methodist University, where she received her master’s of fine arts degree. They have two children, Carolyn and Wesley.
kappaalphaorder.org
“Rob was well and favorably known to several us through his work at Sewanee, but once he got in front of the search committee—a diverse and incredible bunch of people—it became clear he was the perfect choice for Millsaps,” said Bowling. “He combines humility with deep intellectual heft and gravitas, humor and warmth, and those combinations don’t always come in the same package. He also has a tremendous sense of honor and fairness, and although he doesn’t wear it on his sleeve, knowing he represents all Greek organizations at Millsaps, he is the perfect embodiment of a Kappa Alpha.”
“Millsaps has a history of bold and courageous leadership in higher education, and today it is known as an exemplar of liberal arts as preparation for life,” he said. “Millsaps makes a difference in the lives of students who grow to become critical thinkers and leaders throughout the country. The college’s stellar academic environment, provided by nationally acclaimed faculty and outstanding support staff, combines with the gifts of its students to create an ideal liberal arts college experience.”