Boyd Headlines Missouri Governor’s Inauguration  

When Delta Phi 125 was asked by Governor-elect Matt Blunt to be the keynote performer at his Inauguration Ceremony in January, Boyd responded without hesitation.  “This is a great honor.” Boyd would go on to represent Lambda Chi Alpha this year on front row of the platform at the Gubernatorial Inauguration at the Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City.  

When Boyd accepted Blunt’s invitation, the story -- and Boyd’s photo -- were featured on the front page of the Southeast Missourian Newspaper and other publications across the state.   

On a stage of more than 100 state and national leaders, Boyd was given a front row seat on the Governor’s platform next to United States Attorney General John Ashcroft, Senator Kit Bond, and Lt. Governor Peter Kinder of Cape Girardeau.  Ushering in a new era of government, Republican Matt Blunt was sworn in as Missouri's 54th governor in front of a flag-draped Capitol, declaring that “change begins today, at this hour, in this place.” 

Boyd is no stranger to politics or Jefferson City.  He earned degrees in speech communications, political science, and music from Southeast Missouri State University and the University of Missouri - Columbia.   Boyd worked as a Legislative Aide to the late State Senator Paula Carter and has been personal friends to Governor’s Bond, Ashcroft, Carnahan, Wilson, Holden, and Blunt.  He was personally asked by former Senator Jean Carnahan to perform at the Memorial Service for the late Governor Mel Carnahan in 2000.   

Boyd considers Matt Blunt, 34, an inspiration.  Blunt became the second-youngest governor in Missouri history as he took the oath of office. Only Kit Bond, who was 33 when he took office in 1973, was younger.  Blunt became the first Republican governor in 84 years to be sworn in while his party controls the Legislature. He also is the first Republican governor installed since John Ashcroft, now U.S. Attorney General, was sworn into his second term in 1989.

Boyd’s performance at the Inauguration was celebrated as “the best in Missouri’s history,” he received a standing ovation, and his performance would later be celebrated as simply “magnificent.”  Boyd’s voice, which has resounded on the walls of Carnegie Hall in New York City and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., has been described on the national sector as one of great beauty with a sweet lyrical quality. 

 Boyd’s “Big Brother”, Delta Phi 89 Jason LeGrand, flew in from Denver, Colorado, to participate in the Inauguration events and to cheer on Boyd.  LeGrand previously worked for the Republican Floor Leader in the Missouri House of Representatives, for the Missouri Secretary of State, and on the campaign staff of Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson in her first bid for Congress. 

 Governor Blunt was sworn in by Missouri Supreme Court Judge Stephen Limbaugh, and Boyd and LeGrand were later guests in the private Chambers of Judge Limbaugh in the Missouri Supreme Court, where they spent time with United States Attorney General John Ashcroft. 

  Later that evening, Blunt and the rest of the elected officials, including Representative Wes Wagner, Delta Phi 82, were formally introduced to a standing room only crowd in the Rotunda of the Capitol during the Grand March.  Blunt and Missouri's First Lady Melanie danced to the traditional first song of the evening "The Missouri Waltz."  Neal and girlfriend Heather Tomko would follow, dancing in the Rotunda later that evening.  Boyd, LeGrand, and Wagner would later celebrate Lambda Chis’ successes in Missouri politics at the “Library Lounge” in Jefferson City.