The Kappa Alpha Order Educational Foundation (KAOEF) is proud to announce a one million dollar planned estate gift from Lew and Nancy Hoyt, designated to establish a permanent endowment for the Number I’s Leadership Institute (NLI), the Order’s flagship leadership education program. As part of the 1865 Trust, this principal, transformational gift would rank among the largest gifts to the KAOEF.
Lew Hoyt (Beta Sigma–Southern California ’62) graduated from USC and thereafter succeeded in a distinguished 23-year military career as a Marine and Navy fighter pilot and instructor, notably as a TOP GUN instructor. Thereafter he enjoyed a 25-year career as a commercial airline Captain, with both Western Air and Delta Airlines. He and his wife Nancy live in Sedona, Arizona.
In early 2023, KAOEF Trustee Michael V. Paulin (Beta Sigma–Southern California ’60) encouraged Lew to speak at the rechartering ceremonies of the Beta Sigma Chapter. Lew participated in the KAOEF’s Leadership Lecture Luncheon at the 81st Convention that year, in Orlando, Florida. After the Convention, he joined the Crimson & Gold Society. In January 2024, Lew spoke at length to the Number Is at NLI, both formally on stage, and informally during breaks, detailing leadership traits, character building, and self-improvement—among his many charges to the attendees. Throughout the weekend, he was impressed with our Number Is, and recognized the need for this program to continue to excel.
Lew and Nancy are passionate about preparing young people, particularly young KAs, to succeed in life. They both desire to see KAs be, “the best of the best, and even better.” In creating the endowment for NLI, their vision to preserve and enhance this program will be achieved in perpetuity. Beyond the direct positive impact this gift will have on KA undergraduate leaders, brothers, and the Order in general, Lew and Nancy hope this inspires others to support the KAOEF and ensure that KA remains a successful Moral Compass for Modern Gentlemen.
Knight Commander King V. Aiken, Jr. (Kappa–Mercer 1983) announced this gift during his Knight Commander’s Address at NLI which was live-streamed to the members of the Crimson & Gold Society and recorded for future viewing. “I want to thank Mike Paulin for re-engaging Lew with KA and I want to thank Jesse Lyons (Delta Alpha–Western Carolina 1998), Assistant Executive Director for Advancement, who developed the proposal and secured this transformational gift,” commented KAOEF Chairman R. Scott Heath (Delta–Wofford ’77).
About the 1865 Trust
The 1865 Trust recognizes the generosity and foresight of those who choose to embrace the visions of KA’s future by making a meaningful planned gift to the Kappa Alpha Order Educational Foundation (KAOEF). Your entrance into the ranks of the 1865 Trust will be a powerful testimony to the charitable expressions of your values, ideals, and commitment to Kappa Alpha Order’s future. Membership in the 1865 Trust recognizes those who have made provisions for a planned gift of $10,000 or more to the KAOEF. Most of our alumni in the 1865 Trust will fulfill their gift through one of the most common, and perhaps easiest, ways of making a planned gift, by naming the KAOEF in a will, or as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy or an IRA.
Additional Biographical Information About Lew Hoyt
Lew went to the University of Southern California on an athletic scholarship and was Captain of the USC track team for two years. He was one of the first athletes in the world to high jump over 7 feet. He won the National Collegiate Championship in the high jump and was an alternate member of the USA Olympic teams in 1964 and 1968.
After graduation from USC, with a B.S. in Geology and an M.S. degree in Systems Engineering, Lew became a fighter pilot in both the USMC and USN. After a year of combat in Vietnam, Lew was selected to be the General’s aid to the Commanding General of MCAS, El Toro, California. Thereafter, Lew became a flight instructor at the “elite” Navy Fighter Weapons School, affectionately known as TOP GUN. Lew is the only pilot in the world to have flown and instructed at TOP GUN, and with the Israeli Air Force and two Arab Air Forces, of Egypt and Kuwait. Lew was also selected to fly airplanes at the ”top secret” Area 51, which has now been declassified.
After 23 years as a military fighter pilot, Lew also enjoyed a 25-year career as a commercial airline Captain, with both Western Air and Delta Airlines.
Lew purchased his first home in Sedona in 1988, and retired full-time from San Diego to Sedona in 2003, with his wife, Nancy. Although Lew and Nancy have no children, Lew spends his “free time” coaching, mentoring, and motivating the students at the Sedona Red Rock High School.
Lew was the founder and chairman of the first Sedona Miracle in 2006, raising $741,000, which was distributed to the Verde Valley Sanctuary, the Boys and Girls Club, and the Sedona Community Foundation. From that, he brought the Sedona Miracle to the Sedona 30 organization and has been intimately involved in each of the Sedona 30 Miracle events.
Lew is an active member of the Sedona community, a member of the Church of the Red Rocks, and a past Board Member of the Sedona Film Festival. Lew has been a member of the Sedona 30 since 2003. Lew was Sedona’s 2006 “Citizen of the Year.” He is also a throat cancer survivor.
