Henry Lee Nowell, Jr.
Awarded: Accolade for Interfraternal Service – November 8, 1989
Authorized by the 25th Executive Council, presented by Knight Commander Dr. Idris R. Traylor Jr. at the 63rd Convention at the Hyatt Regency, Scottsdale, Arizona
Member of Kappa Alpha Order
Dean of Men & Developer of Fraternity System, Delta State University
Excerpt from Winter 1990 issue of The Kappa Alpha Journal
Kappa Alpha’s Accolade for Interfraternity Service was presented to Henry Lee Nowell, Jr., who, as dean of Delta State University, was responsible for establishing the Greek system at the institution.
Henry Lee Nowell Jr. graduated from Delta State in 1943 with a Bachelor of Science in Education, and served a two-year stint during World War II as a member of the 58th Fighter Group of the 5th U.S. Army Air Corps in the South Pacific Theatre.
Nowell began working at Delta State in November of 1948, serving as director of public relations. He served the university in many capacities during his nearly 38-year tenure, often being the first to hold that position and, thus, having to build from the ground floor. Some of his other positions included: Dean of Men, director of Student Activities, dormitory supervisor, cheerleader sponsor, and director of the Union.
He was also the person most responsible for the creation of Delta State’s Greek system, and he personally helped guide many of the local fraternities and sororities to national affiliation.
Nowell loved Delta State as much as any person, and was named Delta State’s Outstanding Alumnus in 1964. Perhaps the greatest honor bestowed on him was in 1993 when the Union was named the H.L. Nowell Union. In 1994, members of the Administrative Staff Council named the annual staff service award for him — The H.L. Nowell Outstanding Support Staff Award.