As is documented in The Story of Kappa Alpha Psi, the Southeastern Province can be dated back to 1926 when Deaver P. Young was the Province Polemarch (32). Prior to 1924, the Provinces were known as Regions One through Seven. The Southeastern Province, as we know it today, was formed in 1951. Until that time, the Province included all chapters along the eastern seaboard from North Carolina to Florida, including Georgia and Alabama. The last Polemarch to serve the Province under that organization was Toussaint L. Hale of Birmingham, Alabama. In 1951, Brother Hale was appointed as Polemarch of the Gulf Province (which was later named the Southern Province) which included Florida and Alabama.

W. Dickerson Donnelly
1951-1952
W. Dickerson Donnelly (1951-1952) of the Savannah Alumni Chapter was named the first Polemarch of the newly formed Southeastern Province that consisted of only South Carolina and Georgia. Shortly thereafter, Brother Donnelly accepted an assignment as Secretary of
Alumni Affairs for Fisk University and left the Province.

Dr. Joseph R. Jenkins
1952-1967
Brother Joseph R. Jenkins, (1952-1967) of the Savannah Alumni Chapter became the second Province Polemarch in 1952. One main accomplishment of the Province during the administration of Brother Jenkins was the adoption of the By-Laws of the Southeastern Province. Another accomplishment was the recommendation of Brother Donald L. Hollowell, Esq., to receive the Laurel Wreath Award for his work in Civil Rights. Brother Hollowell received the Laurel Wreath Award in 1968. After fifteen years of unselfish, untiring, and dedicated service to Kappa Alpha Psi, Brother Jenkins tendered his resignation, effective following the Sixteenth Province Council Meeting in Columbus, Georgia, in 1967.
One of his first efforts to ensure cooperation among all chapters was to encourage them to assist the Atlanta Alumni Chapter and the other Atlanta chapters in hosting the forty-sixth Grand Chapter Meeting to be held there on December 26-29, 1956. This possibility was noted because of the success that the South Carolina Chapters had in assisting Columbia Alumni Chapter to host the Third Province Council Meeting, as well as their plans to assist the Charleston Alumni Chapter in hosting the fifth Province Council Meeting.
The Province prospered and now is well on its way to remaining a viable financially sound operation. The cooperation of the Province Officers and local Host Chapters helped both entities. Guide Right was the number one project for the Province and John Camper of the Savannah Alumni Chapter was the Area Guide Right Director. He conducted a very vigorous program in ensuring the success of this program. Each chapter was asked to contribute financially to this effort.

During the tenure of Brother Jenkins, the Province witnessed the reactivation of the Beta Delta and Gamma Kappa chapters and the chartering of the Delta Xi Chapter. Chapters were also granted to Allendale, Florence, Kingstree and Rock Hill. Brother Jenkins passed up no chance to advance our undergraduate Brothers in positions of responsibility - chairmen of committees, making introductions of speakers, and serving as speakers at Province functions. Brother Jenkins' "STATE OF THE PROVINCE" reports to the membership always contained words of praise for the efforts and accomplishments of the undergraduate Brothers and challenges to the Alumni Brothers to aid them in their efforts to succeed. Brother Jenkins chartered seven chapters during his term as Province Polemarch.

The WATCHWORDS of Brother Jenkins' administration were: Reclamation, Guide Right, Reinstatement of Undergraduate and Alumni Chapters, Formation of new Alumni and Undergraduate Chapters and Cooperation with the Grand Chapter.
One main accomplishment of the Province during the administration of Brother Jenkins was the adoption of the By-Laws of the Southeastern Province. Another accomplishment was the recommendation of Brother Donald L. Hollowell, Esq., to receive the Laurel Wreath Award for his work in Civil Rights. Brother Hollowell received the Laurel Wreath Award in 1968.
After fifteen years of unselfish, untiring, and dedicated service to Kappa Alpha Psi, Brother Jenkins tendered his resignation, effective following the Sixteenth Province Council Meeting in Columbus, Georgia in 1967. In testimony of his great work in Kappa Alpha Psi and his community, Brother Jenkins received the Elder Watson Diggs Award in 1976. Additionally, the Southeastern Province has named its highest award, the "Joseph R. Jenkins Award."

John E. McCall
1967-1967
The third Province Polemarch was Brother John E. McCall, (1967) of the Cheraw Alumni Chapter. Unfortunately, his appointment as Province Polemarch was short lived as he joined the Chapter Invisible during the summer of 1967.

Joseph A. Johnson
1967-1977
Consequently, Brother Joseph A. Johnson, (1967-1977) a member of the Columbia Alumni Chapter, was appointed as the fourth Province Polemarch and served until 1977. Consequently, Brother Joseph A. Johnson, a member of the Columbia Alumni Chapter, was appointed as the fourth Province Polemarch and served until 1977. During the period of 1968, the Province experienced problems because chapters did not submit dues in a timely fashion. Brother Johnson struggled to keep the Province afloat and restructured it to keep things operating. Brother Johnson spent personal funds to keep the Province functioning. During Brother Johnson's tenure, the Province By-laws were revised under the Chairmanship of Brother Johnnie Paul Jones. Brother Johnson left the Province in much better condition than he found it when he relinquished the helm in 1977. Brother Johnson chartered twelve chapters during his term as Province Polemarch

Dr. Cornelius W. Grant
1977-1982
The fifth Province Polemarch was Brother Dr. Cornelius W. Grant (1977-1982). Brother Grant was and still is a member of the Albany, Georgia Alumni Chapter. He is most known for his work in the field of education. Having served as Director of Student Activities and ultimately a Vice-President at Albany State (College) University, he is affectionately known by most as "Dean" Grant. Although he is retired, many persons still refer to him as "Dean." His most recent involvement in education was having served as the Chairman of the Board of Education for the Dougherty County School System. Brother Grant chartered twelve chapters during his term as Province Polemarch. He received both the Elder Watson Diggs Award and, in 2005, the Laurel Wreath Award.

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