Development in the Desert

The Alpha Pi Chapter of Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity at the University of Arizona focuses on two concepts. The first is recruiting quality men into the Fraternity through exemplary recruitment events hosted throughout the year. The second is to develop those men to reach their highest potential through Membership Development.

Our chapter focuses on recruitment primarily through the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences here at the University of Arizona. We also have a strong relationship with Arizona FFA, which helps us identify young men interested in agriculture, natural resources, and other similar industries. We have seen numbers fluctuate, so we knew we needed to expand our recruitment efforts. This led us to recently joining the Interfraternity Council here at the University of Arizona. We are looking forward to the future recruitment opportunities and more engagement with Greek Life and our University.

As part of our membership development program, Alpha Pi Chapter holds recognizable professional development events every semester to get brothers connected with the leaders of the agricultural industry in Arizona. The events include tours designed to go through each region every year and the “4” regions of the state (North, East, South, West). This provides our brothers, who join the chapter as firstyear students, the unique opportunity to experience all four regions of the state, over the course of a four-year collegiate career. They provide opportunities for brothers to network with industry leaders and make connections that can help them with career opportunities after graduation. We also use our Professional Development Tours to highlight alumni of the chapter, by touring their own agricultural businesses that they own or work for.

This past trip, the Professional Development Tour of Fall 2022 took us from Yuma, Arizona across state lines to El Centro, California. The chapter was able to learn up close and firsthand from experts in seed sales, milling, date farming, and hay farming. We visited the following agricultural co mpanies on the tour:

• Gowan Milling, LLC

• Bird Date Company

• Kevin Grizzle Farms

• Vessey & Company, Inc

• Keithly-Williams Seeds

At Keithly-Williams Seeds, we had the honor of touring the company with its CEO before his passing — Brother Kelly Keithly of Alpha Pi Chapter.

Kevin Berrigan, Noble Ruler

BETA PHI CHAPTER University of Idaho