Southern Province: Dr. Richard Showers, Sr.
Dr. Richard Showers, Sr. (Huntsville (AL) Alumni 1971) earned both the Bachelor of Science degree in Agribusiness Education and the Master of Science Degree in Trade and Industrial Education at Alabama A & M University in Normal, Alabama. He pursued ad- ditional studies in adult and continuing education at Auburn University. Additionally, he was honored with an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree. Dr. Richard Showers, Sr., is a former City Councilman for the City of Huntsville, AL. Dr. Showers served as a vocational and adult education instructor and adult education coordinator for the school system in Huntsville, AL. and retired in 2005 after 36 years of service.
Dr. Showers is a member of Union Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, where Dr. O. Wendell Davis is the Pas- tor. He serves on the Deacon Ministry, Laymen Department and as Senior Adult Sunday School Teacher and other ministries of the church, Alabama State Missionary Baptist Laymen’s Movement; and the National Baptist Layman’s Movement. His involvement with civic and community organizations are numerous. He is a member of the NEA, AEA and HEA, Life Member of Alabama A&M University Alumni Association, Inc.; Life Member of the Southern Province Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., past Polemarch of the Huntsville (AL) Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Frater- nity, Inc., Chairman of Senior Kappa Affairs Committee for Southern Province and Life Member of NAACP. He has received numerous awards, citations and plaques in recognition of his dedicated service to humanity and notable achievements. One of the honors includes, Dr. Richard Showers, Sr. Recreation Center in Huntsville named in his honor. Dr. Showers and his wife Bettye Ann resides in Huntsville and are the proud parents of five children and eight grandchildren.
Western Province: George C. Sims
George C. Sims (Delta Delta 1959) earned his bachelor’s degree in Education at Jackson State University in 1962 and a master’s degree in Education from California Lutheran Univer- sity in 1978. Brother Sims is a Charter Member of Ventura (CA) Alumni Chapter where he has held many offices. Presently, he serves as Keeper of Exchequer. He is a retired Supervisor of Cor- rectional Education (California Department of Correction). He is a member of Saint Paul’s United Methodist Church, Oxnard, CA where he is the Vice President of Trustee Board. He is a Vietnam Veteran and a member of the American Legion Oxnard Post 48. He is a member of the
local Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Observance Planning Committee. Brother Sims is married to his college sweetheart, Bettye R. Buchanan and they have three daughters, 10 grand- children and four great grandchildren.
Southwestern Province: Herman L. Thomas
Herman L. Thomas’ (Gamma Psi 1966) career began in Arkadelphia, Arkansas in 1968, after graduation from Grambling State University, with a BSE in French, English and the Social Sciences. He completed a MSE in English in 1972 and his administrative certification from the University of Arkansas, in 1976. That same year, he was elected by the Arkadelphia School Board as the first Black principal since integration. Nine years later, he became principal of Arkadelphia High School (AHS). AHS was named a State School of Excellence and a National Blue Rib- bon School of Excellence under his leadership. In 1991, he was the first African American from Arkansas to receive the Milken Educator Award.
In 1991, he was named Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum/Instruction of the Arkadelphia School District. He is the only African American to have ever held this position. After 40 years of service, he retired in June 2009. Brother Thomas is a member of Greater Pleasant Hill Baptist Church where he serves as a deacon and many other capacities. He is also Chair of the Arkadelphia Racial and Cultural Diversity Committee, and Vice Chair of the County’s Arts and Humanities Council. He is a Life Member of both Kappa Alpha Psi and the Southwestern Province. He served four years as Polemarch of the Hot Springs/Arkadelphia Malvern (AK) Alumni Chapter. Thomas was conferred the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016. He is married to Eula Wiley Thomas. They have two daughters and two grandchildren.
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Publishing achievement for 105 years
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