Kyser, Georgia Carroll

James Kern Kay Kyser was born 18 June 1905 in Rocky Mount, N.C., to Paul Kyser and Emily Royster Kyser, both pharmacists. His mother was the first registered female pharmacist in North Carolina. His uncle, Edward Vernon Howell, opened the pharmacy school at the University of North Carolina in 1897 and served as the dean until his death in 1931. His cousin, Vermont Connecticut Royster, was the editor of the Wall Street Journal from 1958 to 1971. Another member of the Royster family, Julianna Royster Busby, established Jugtown Pottery in Moore County, N.C., in 1920.

Following his family's lead, Kyser entered the University of North Carolina in 1923. At school, he was a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity and was active in the Playmakers Theatre. He was also the school's head cheerleader, establishing the cheering section known as the Carolina Cheerios. Kyser's bandleader career began in 1926, when he took over as the leader of the school orchestra. He graduated with high honors in 1927. In 1937, Kyser wrote Tar Heels on Hand, which became the school's fight song.

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