Governor of Arkansas Becomes a Frater
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who is eyeing a 2008 presidential bid, signed the Beta-Psi Chapter scroll and became a Frater Tuesday.
Frater Huckabee, a Republican, joined TKE in a ceremony at the governor's mansion.
"He's a distinguished governor. He's done an awful lot for the state as well as the country," said Kevin Mayeux, the fraternity's chief executive officer. "We've been very impressed with his character and the initiatives he headed."
His son, David, has been an involved member since 2002, joining at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. A Southern Baptist minister, Huckabee never belonged to a fraternity while at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia.
"In order to cram four years into a little more than two, there just wasn't a lot of time," Huckabee said. "Time to be a part of things like that just wasn't available."
Huckabee said he didn't have any preconceived notions about fraternities from movies such as "Animal House," which depicted a raucous place for drinking and debauchery.
"That'd be like saying you have a concept of a hospital based on reruns of 'M*A*S*H,'" he said.
Huckabee said he didn't know if joining TKE would give him a larger pool of supporters if he runs for president.
"We'll soon find out, won't we?" Huckabee said.
Huckabee, who leaves office in January, has said he will not announce a decision about the presidency until after his term ends.
Frater Mike Huckabee became governor July 15, 1996. He moved up from lieutenant governor following the resignation of Gov. Jim Guy Tucker. Huckabee became Arkansas' 44th elected governor after winning the November 1998 election with the highest percentage of the vote ever received by a Republican gubernatorial nominee in Arkansas. He was elected to another four-year term in November 2002.
Huckabee's efforts to improve his own health have received international attention. Diagnosed with Type II diabetes in 2003, he lost 110 pounds. In March 2005, Huckabee completed the Little Rock Marathon, and has since completed the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington D.C. and The Road Runners Club of America named him its Southern Region Runner of the Year, and he was named USA Track & Field's Athlete of the Week for the country. Huckabee's fourth book, "Quit Digging Your Grave With A Knife And Fork," was released by Time Warner Book Group in May and has received favorable reviews across the country. Huckabee has traveled widely since the release of the book to speak on the need for Americans to change their lifestyles.
The Offices of the Grand Chapter is proud to have Governor Huckabee as a new member. Please join us in welcoming Frater Mike to the fraternity.
Adapted from Associated Press Report. If you would like to see your chapter news here, contact Communications Coordinator Tom McAninch.