Victor Hale "Bud" Kays, was born November 23, 1919. V. H. Kays the son of the first president of what is now Arkansas State University, grew up on the A-State campus. Mr. Kays earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Arkansas State College in 1938; from there he earned an engineering degree from the University of Illinois. He was a federal civilian employee of the U.S. Arm Force, the Army Corps of Engineers and the Bureau of Reclamation. Mr. Kays retired from federal service in 1974. He then returned to his boyhood home and devoted his time to helping Arkansas State University exceed.

He replaced his father as the Executive Vice President of the Arkansas State College Foundation (Kays Foundation). The nonprofit organization which was started by his father V. C. Kays and others to benefit Arkansas State University.    

As well as serving the Arkansas State College Foundation for thirty-five years. V. H. Kays was a life member of the Arkansas State University Foundation. He was a member of the Jonesboro Rotary Club, Jonesboro Masonic Lodge No. 129 and was a member of the administrative board of the Salvation Army. Mr. Kays passed away on May 30, 2001.  

Return to Who We Are          

Click to find out more on V. C. Kays , his father and first president of Arkansas State University.