 While a student at Cumberland, he was one of five men to found the Theta chapter of Kappa Sigma Fraternity on October 7, 1887.He served as a professor of English at Cumberland University, as headmaster at Castle Heights Military Academy, and as associate editor of the "Cumberland Presbyterian" prior to being elected as president of Cumberland University.He also founded a private girls' camp called "Camp Nakanawa" and was an amateur astronomer.