Knight Commanders

Henry Judah Mikell

18th Knight Commander

Alpha Alpha–University of the South, 1891

An influential role model for many KAs, Mikell was born in Sumter, South Carolina, in 1873 and was initiated by Alpha Alpha Chapter at the University of the South in 1891. In addition to organizing Beta Gamma Chapter in 1904, as Knight Commander he chartered seven chapters and probably presided at the initiation of more members than any other alumnus of that day. A prime mover of Order development, Mikell launched the effort that finally resulted in the 1936 revision of the Kappa Alpha Laws and adoption of the new government by appointing the necessary committees and consultants. Mikell was the president of both the Atlanta Alumni Chapter and the Convention in 1925. A prominent member of the Episcopal Church, he was consecrated Bishop of the Diocese of Atlanta in 1917 and served as the chancellor of the University of the South. He died on February 20, 1942.