2015 SICKLE & SHEAF ➻ Fall

The Harvest Awards, Scholarships, Donors, Leadership Seminar Statistics, and more.

Grand President’s Guidance Calvin Willemssen speaks of the challenges and changes for Alpha Gamma Rho

Grow Your Passion

Kansas State Alumnus shares what he has learned from Successful Agriculturists

Loss of My Sweetheart.

Support of My Brothers.

AGR Brotherhood acts as a support system for a brother in need.

In Earnest

Why I Give:

Doors Are Opened FOUNDATION DONOR:

Bernie Lester

CHAPTER AND SCHOOL:

Alpha Gamma, Florida

GIVING LEVEL:

Grand President’s Society

“The organization assisted with my introduction to university life and provided leadership training for my professional career.”

Bernie Lester is an Alpha Gamma brother

post-college life — personally and profession-

who was initiated at the University of Florida

ally. “Professionally, ‘doors are opened’ as a

in 1958.

result of numerous AGR’s in leadership positions

He has been giving back to the Fraternity

throughout the agricultural industry.”

since 1979. Lester has been a Grand President’s

Lester feels that the leadership seminars,

Society member since the society was created.

both in and out of state, were beneficial during

He has held many different National, Chapter,

his undergraduate career. He feels there are

and committee offices — he served as the

many benefits undergraduates receive from

Foundation President from 1984-1986.

others volunteering or donating, including

When asked what Alpha Gamma Rho means

internships and conferences with alumni

to him, Bernie spoke of the benefits received

in which undergraduates get to discuss

as both a collegiate and alumni member. “The

“real world” information to complement

organization assisted with my introduction to

the “book learning” and expectations

university life and provided leadership training

regarding employment responsibilities.

for my professional career,” Lester said.

Many alumni, like Bernie, continue to invest in the organization in many different ways.

Bernie feels that any member maintaining

Bernie feels academic scholarships are a big impact that can come from giving to the Fraternity for they may assist students to continue their education when they otherwise may have

an awareness of the AGR chapter activities

had to leave the university. Bernie’s giving has

should be aware of the positive return associat-

helped provide academic assistance as well as

ed with the time and money contributed to

assistance to maintain appropriate housing and

the organization.

dining facilities. These gifts assist the fraternity

“I believe we all have the obligation to invest in activities from which we benefit if those activities remain productive.”

Alpha Gamma Rho has impacted Bernie’s

as a whole as well as the individual members.

Bernie Lester has always and will continue to make a positive impact on Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity.

BE A PARTNER FOR PROGRESS. Your contribution—your investment—allows Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity to continue providing its members with exceptional collegiate experiences, shaping more than 100 years of young men and sharpening the leading edge of an ever-changing world of agriculture. Your support provides the resources of the Educational Foundation of Alpha Gamma Rho—the Foundation that supports your Fraternity. Make a gift today at alphagammarho.org/donate.

Table of Contents

FALL

2015

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FALL 2015 | VOLUME 105 | ISSUE 1

Published continuously since 1910 EDITOR

Dave Korbelik COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR

Caitlin Stauffer

28

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

Departments AGR E L E VA N C E

2

News from the Home Office and the world of Greek-letter organizations

10

TRANSITIONS

THE PILLARS

10

Loss of My Sweetheart.

Support of My Brothers.

12

What I've Learned from Successful Agriculturalists

16

Honoring the Past.

Bettering the Future.

DESIGN & LAYOUT

8

9

THE HARVEST 17 Awards, Scholarships, Donors, Leadership Seminars, and more Q & AG R 31 Loren Kruse, Kansas State is the former director and president of the AGR educational foundation.

T H E L A S T PA S S

28

Tria Designs SUBMISSIONS FOR SICKLE & SHEAF

Take note of these four numbers

A Chat with the Grand President

BUSINESS MANAGER

Philip Josephson

Honoring those brothers who have departed

Features

Joe Arterburn, Steve Fairchild, Corey Geiger, John Harvey, Loren Kruse, Justin Lessman, Chester Peterson Jr., Steve Rich, Len Richardson, John Ruebush, Vance Runnels, Patrick Scheetz, Jeremy Zweiacker

alphagammarho.org/share-your-news caitlin@alphagammarho.org

Sickle & Sheaf (ISSN 8750-6866) is published two times a year (Fall and Spring)

by Publications Office, 10101 N. Ambassador Drive, Kansas City, MO. Members receive life subscriptions with payment of initiation fee. Non-Profit Standard postage paid at Liberty, MO, and additional mailing office.

POSTMASTER Send address changes to: Sickle & Sheaf, 10101 N. Ambassador Drive, Kansas City, MO 64153-1366.

32

Chapter Strategic Planning Sessions Now Available.

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AGRelevance

BBQ, Braggin’ Rights, and

The 2015 Alumni Grand Champions, 3 Star BBQ

Brotherhood

By Rob Ary, Tennessee-Martin The 2015 Annual AGR BBQ Competition

set new records with 19 cooking teams and a record number of brothers attending from as far away as New York and North Dakota. Host chapters that included Beta Theta (Middle Tennessee), Alpha Upsilon (Tennessee-Martin), Alpha Kappa (Tennessee-Knoxville), Alpha Chi (Western KY), Beta Mu (Austin Peay), Alpha Omega (Murray State) and Omicron (Kentucky), all returned with the Central TN AGR Alumni Chapter hosting the event.

“This competition is growing every year.”

Robert Elliott, Tennessee-Knoxville alumnus and co-chair of the event said. “We are constantly thinking of ways to improve it.” Chad Bradshaw, Tennessee-Martin alumnus and also a co-chair, has high hopes for future competitions. “We hope word travels from all the brothers we had at this year’s event, and other chapters will realize this is not only a BBQ competition, but a weekend to come celebrate the brotherhood our fraternity was founded on.”

The BBQ committee members, all from the middle TN area, meet several times over the course of the year to plan the next competition and use the previous events to tweak things 2

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The 2015 AGR BBQ Competition Committee with Ms. Kristina and Ms. Wanda, The Queens of BBQ

“We want this competition to be a destination for brothers far and wide every spring.”

– Tracey Binkley, (Tennesee-Knoxville), committee member and brother whose love of all things BBQ inspired the creation of the event.

The 2015 Undergrad Grand Champion brothers from Beta Rho, Northwest Missouri State

that would allow the brothers, young and old, to get the most out of the entire weekend.

The 2016 competition date is already set for April 15-17, 2016. The venue, James E. Ward Agricultural Center in Lebanon, Tennessee, remains the same, as well as the competition format of pork, ribs, chicken and a 4th category that will be announced at a later date.

Weekend tent campers are welcome to come and enjoy the weekend events, but our goal is to set a new record for cooking teams once again.

If your chapter is interested in participating this year please contact one of the committee members by emailing info@agrbbq.com, and we can give you any information you need to get started. “Our goal is to have teams from as many states as possible”, says Tracey Binkley, Tennessee-Knoxville alumnus, committee member and brother whose love of all things BBQ inspired the creation of the event.

“We want this competition to be a destination for brothers far and wide every spring.”

Sponsors like the TN Farmers CO-OP, Farm Bureau of TN, Farm Credit and TN Cattlemen’s and Pork Producers, play an integral role in the event by providing funds for awards and also

AGRelevance

2016 AGR BBQ COMPETITION: APRIL 15-17, 2016.

Coming off another successful event, the AGR National BBQ Competition committee would like to announce that any undergraduate chapter that would like to enter a team in the 2016 AGR BBQ competition, the entry fee will be FREE. That’s right, you read correctly. The event has been a success the past 3 years, but we wanted to find a way for more undergraduate brothers to come and participate.

The brotherhood that goes on between the younger teams and alumni teams is something you can only experience in person.

The other fees (meat packages, RV hookups) will remain the same and the free entry will have a deadline.

Weekend passes will also remain the same. If your chapter has been thinking about coming to Lebanon, TN and showing off your BBQ skills, then this is the year for you. Stay tuned to agrbbq.com and our Facebook page for further information when it becomes available.

Beta Lambda Cottons Onto Good Experience Brothers of Beta Lambda, at Texas A&M University-Commerce, are gaining good hands-on production experience while adding some “tall cotton” to their chapter’s fund raising efforts. In this cooperative research project, they participated in a production cycle for cotton. This included everything from field preparation, planting, management, and crop scouting for pests and disease, to harvest this fall.

The purpose of this project was for collegiate brothers to study crop production practices.

Learning objectives of this project included: 1. C reating and developing a crop production plan.

2. Identifying, anticipating, tracking and troubleshooting opportunities and problems such as pests associated with growing a crop.

3. I mproved understanding of hands on production 4. Delivering a summarized report of key learnings, production outcomes, and financial results

As we go to print in October, the chapter will be presenting a summary of their experience at the Sam Rayburn Cotton Museum where they are sharing the knowledge obtained from this project with high school students and members of the farmers co-op that is helping sponsor the project.

Corporate Partners send representatives to be judges for the competition. If your company would like to become a sponsor, please contact us.

Thanks again to all the participants from the 2015 event! We look forward to a great weekend of BBQ, Braggin’ Rights and Brotherhood at the 2016 AGR National BBQ Competition.

AGR is committed to offering opportunities for members and corporations in the dynamic global agriculture and food industries to connect. Thank you to our Corporate Partners for support of our mission!

ELITE

To stay up to date on all the latest news for the 2016 event, check out www.agrbbq.com and our Facebook page www.facebook.com/ middletnalphagammarhoalumni. Registration and any important announcements will be posted on these sites.

DIAMOND

GOLD

EQUIT Y CUL T IV AT ING G R OWT H

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AGRelevance UPCOMING EVENTS Please visit our events page for more details: alphagammarho.org/events.

2016 ADVISER FORUM Jan. 08-09, 2016 Kansas City, Mo.

RECRUITMENT SCHOOL Jan. 15-16, 2016 Kansas City, Mo.

ALUMNI CARIBBEAN CRUISE Feb. 12-22, 2016

LEADERSHIP SEMINAR Feb. 12-13, 2016 St. Louis, Mo.

LEADERSHIP SEMINAR

You Gave, We Delivered.

During the time that numerous chapters have worked to ensure viable housing on their respective campuses, the Foundation has been supporting the Fraternity’s efforts to ensure the development of a viable framework for programming. AGRconnect, a prime example of such programming, was developed to better prepare Alpha Gamma Rho collegiate members, alumni boards, chapter advisers and housemothers for success in their roles. The dynamic, internetbased educational model utilizes proven technology to enable best practice sharing for empowering personal development while encouraging individual leadership growth and overall chapter success.

While many training and development efforts at chapters have been reasonably effective, programs tended to vary greatly from chapter to chapter. Before AGRconnect, it was difficult for Alpha Gamma Rho to cost-effectively implement consistent, scalable and relevant lifelong learning solutions.

Volunteers and staff have carefully gathered and inventoried the training resources that were being used to educate our membership, evaluated those programs, identified gaps and built AGRconnect as a value-added benefit of membership that is easily accessible anytime day or night. Curriculum has been developed in a way that it can be consistently updated with timely information to meet the unique and changing needs of collegiate members, chapter officers, alumni board members, chapter advisers and housemothers. The development of AGRconnect sup4

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ports Alpha Gamma Rho’s Promise to “foster lifelong personal development through innovative educational, leadership and social opportunities.”

The Board of Directors of The Educational Foundation of Alpha Gamma Rho, in partnership with Alpha Gamma Rho’s National Board of Directors, has been fully committed to the Campaign for AGRconnect. Including platform development, fundraising expenses, “rollout” efforts by volunteers, etc., expenses have been less than the budgeted $1 million dedicated for the initial development.

As of September 1, 2015, $2,354,389 has been raised from 417 individual donors.

AGRconnect is the largest specific fundraising effort benefitting all members across our 71 chapters. Numerous Campaign for AGRconnect donors gave their largest gift ever to the Foundation, and nearly 100 were first-time Foundation donors.

“My hope is that thousands of young men will benefit and hopefully have a similar life-changing experience like we had,” said Brother Gary Clark, Oklahoma State alumnus.

AGRconnect makes a lifelong commitment to our members to uphold the Purpose and Values of the Fraternity through an educational program that is right for today and right for our future. Brother Kirby Barrick, Foundation Director and Campaign for AGRconnect Chairman, concluded, “You gave. We delivered. Thank you!”

Feb. 19-20, 2016 Atlanta, Ga.

LEADERSHIP SEMINAR Feb. 26-27, 2016 Denver, Colo.

LEADERSHIP SEMINAR March 4-5, 2016 Pittsburgh, Pa.

RECRUITMENT SCHOOL Mar. 18-19, 2016 Kansas City, Mo.

NATIONAL CONVENTION

Aug. 9-12, 2016 Omaha, Neb.

FIND US. FRIEND US. FOLLOW US. @alphagammarhohq @alphagammarho Alpha Gamma Rho: Social/Professional Ag, Food, Fiber, & Life Sci. Fraternity Alpha Gamma Rho Alumni Network Alpha Gamma Rho

AGRelevance

Foundation Recognized with NICF Award of Distinction

Structure for Success Oklahoma State University, where Pi Chapter recently celebrated the dedication of their new, $ 9.2 million house, is an excellent example of housing infrastructure success. 258 generous alumni supported the Campaign of the Century to date, raising $ 7,458,934.66 million in support of the project. $7,144,926 was directed to the Pi Housing Fund within The Educational Foundation of Alpha Gamma Rho. The Foundation is able to grant educational support of the project through the Chapter Assistance Program, which included a $4,998,000 grant in April 1, 2015.

In preparation for the Campaign of the Century benefitting the Pi housing campaign, heavy focus was placed on commitment to legacy and leadership - through one united vision. Pi celebrated generations of quality men, encouraging their alumni that it was time to give back by investing in the future men who would benefit from the brotherhood of Alpha Gamma Rho, the academic and leadership excellence pursued

by AGR brothers, and the values of AGR. “A competitive house is a critical factor in recruiting quality men with strong core values and a good work ethic. We all like to live in pleasant surroundings, but the structure must be safe and provide opportunities for leadership development and brotherhood,” says Brother Gary Clark, Pi alumnus.

“AGR has more to offer young men today than they did 30 years ago. Young men entering college today need the values that AGR stands for more than ever before because they are faced with challenges and experiences we could have never imagined,” said Brother A.L. Hutson, immediate past-President of Pi Chapter Alumni Corporation.

The new Pi chapter house ensures that brothers sustain leadership on campus, are housed in a safe place that provides space and amenities that meet and exceed the needs necessary to foster scholastic success and self-improvement. The house also serves as a visual representation of the vitality of Alpha Gamma Rho which is essential to recruiting quality men.

“We were blessed to have generous alumni willing and able to invest in our vision for the future,” says Hutson.

On August 18, The Educational Foundation of Alpha Gamma Rho received the North-American Interfraternity Conference Foundation’s (NICF) Award of Distinction for Best Development Effort in an Annual Campaign for the second year in a row.

Specifically, The Educational Foundation of Alpha Gamma Rho’s award submission focused on their efforts to promote the Grand President’s Society — a recognition level of the Loyalty Fund for AGR: Giving for Our Purpose that has historically recognized members that have made Loyalty Fund contributions of $1,000 during the fiscal year. The Loyalty Fund for AGR is the Foundation’s unrestricted, annual fundraising effort that supports various efforts such as leadership seminars, matching funds to chapters, scholarships, awards and other grants. Support from this effort accounts for well over half of the support of the Loyalty Fund annually.

At the time of submission in late April, the Foundation had already increased the year-to-date amount of dollars raised and gained eight new Grand President’s Society members, ultimately leading to a record 99 members for the 2014-15 Loyalty Fund for AGR by the end of the fiscal year (June 30, 2015). “…We couldn’t be happier to be a part of their success,” said Elsie Listrom, CFRE, Senior Vice President, Fundraising Services. “We look forward to continuing our partnership with Alpha Gamma Rho and can’t wait to see what 2016 holds.”

In an effort to improve recognition of the most generous Loyalty Fund supporters, The Educational Foundation of Alpha Gamma Rho is enhancing the Loyalty Fund for AGR’s recognition levels beginning in 2015-16 by establishing the Four Pillars Society to recognize those contributing $5,000 or more, the 1904 Society to recognize those contributing $1,904–$4,999, and recognizing members of the Grand President’s Society for contributions of $1,000–$1,903.

At right : Ken Root, Oklahoma State alumnus, spoke at the chapter house dedication celebration.

Above: Pictured left to right are Foundation Director and Campaign for AGRconnect Chairman, Kirby Barrick; Kristen Isley; Assistant General Counsel, Ken Isley; Director of Development, Brad Garrison; Development Specialist, Lindsey Vest; Zeta (Cornell) alumnus, Joe Daniels; Jennifer Daniels, Alpha Psi (UW-River Falls) alumnus, Joshua Rusk; Kathy Jackson, and Past Grand President, Mike Jackson.

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40 AGRelevance

YEARS

of Phil

On July 10, 2015, Phil Josephson was presented with a longevity award that recognized his 40 years of Service as Executive Director of Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity. The award was presented at The Fraternity Executives Association (FEA) Awards Banquet in Scottsdale, Arizona. We wanted to know how 40 years at Alpha Gamma Rho has impacted his life.

What does Alpha Gamma Rho’s Making Better Men mean to you?

young men can get into meaningful leadership tracks right out of the gates.

Making Better Men means many different things.

Third, it means that we need to work to have chapters that are incubators for individual success. Chapters that foster leadership development and good citizenship, reward good behavior and encourage all of the best characteristics of individual achievement. Chapters that will say NO to bad behavior and poor decisions. Chapters that will uphold the AGR Promise, Values and Standards.

First, it means that we should provide all members with good and supportive influences that allow them to flourish and succeed as young men and leaders, initially as students and then, later in their careers, in their communities, as husbands, fathers and grandfathers.

Second, it means that we need to remove any and all impediments to that growth and success. AGR’s Brotherhood Program has gone a long way toward that goal. No longer are our new initiates and underclassmen saddled with demeaning, distracting and degrading antics of the old pledge program. Our

Left: Phil and Jane Josephson at the Fraternity Executives Association Awards Banquet where Phil was recognized for 40 years of service as Executive Director of Alpha Gamma Rho. Josephson speaks about the value of the fraternity.

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Fourth, it means that Alpha Gamma Rho will provide the right tools that allow brothers and chapters to succeed—tools like AGRconnect. And that AGR will fund those programs and efforts to be a meaningful partner in being a ‘change agent’ for the transformation of those young lives into great leaders and citizens and family men.

How does it feel to have 40+ years devoted to AGR? I feel a great satisfaction that I have been a part of the best darn fraternity that’s definitely the best at Making Better Men. While I am proud to have played an integral role, there have been so many who have devoted and done so very much.

AGRelevance

There have been close to 2,500 Noble Rulers, thousands of other chapter officers, a couple of thousand Advisers, thousands of local alumni directors, 22 Grand Presidents, and hundreds of other directors, trustees and volunteers. More accolades go to the hundreds of staff members along the way, as well as my family and loving wife.

We all have done so many great things together. We have dared to tread a different trail on the way to success. I am very proud of what we have accomplished.

And looking forward to tackling all we still must do.

How do you feel the Fraternity has evolved over the years?

In some ways AGR has evolved like other organizations and fraternities. It has embraced change, embraced technology, embraced an environment and a society demanding that we do things differently — that we not allow ‘boys to be boys’ — that we expect good behavior and performance.

AGR has evolved differently than other organizations and fraternities in that we are willing to be bold and do the right things for the right reasons — even though that has not always been easy or without significant costs or challenges. AGR was the first in being successful long term with the Brotherhood Program. We are the only collegiate organization with AGRconnect like programming — bringing useful tools to brothers and chapters 24/7. We continue to be innovators and one of the most admired of all fraternities.

How have AGR operations changed over the years?

Back when I became Executive Director, AGR headquarters was in the basement of Maynard and Marie Coe’s home (my predecessor) equipped with a mimeograph machine, carbon paper and hand-written ledgers for bookkeeping. There was one rotary phone for all staff to use and a dictation machine for letters and reports.

There were no computers, no cell phones, no iPads, no darn ear buds, headphones were used for listening to AM radio. Cameras were Kodak with a flashcube or 35 mm. There were no risk management policies or national insurance programs. There was no Sarbanes Oxley, Title IX was brand new, and the 990 form was 4 pages long with 14 questions (compared to 54 pages and 283 questions last year).

QUANTIFYING 40 YEARS OF CHANGES IN AGR OPERATIONS  The fraternity leadership has grown from an Executive Council of five brothers to: a National Board of Directors; HRT (define) Board and Foundation Board; 11 Regional Vice Presidents; hundreds of national officers, volunteers; and a staff comparable to any organization around.  The National Office has gone from Maynard Coe’s basement to a wonderful, debt free Foundationowned facility in Kansas City  In 1975 AGR had 50 active chapters, today AGR has 71 chapters. A 42% increase.  AGR initiated 31,315 brothers before 1975, today AGR has 71,211 initiates — 56% of which were initiated after 1975.  Last year, AGR initiated 1,278 men. A 37% difference in the 927 brothers initiated in 1975.  AGR's net worth today is $3,768,538. In 1975 it was $916,707.  Today’s Educational Foundation has a net worth of $8,027,771.

In 1975 it was $35,506.  Those accomplishments are not my doing, but they happened on my watch. It gives me much pleasure to think of AGR as successful and a good thing growing.

Technology and legal and accounting and insurance and university and societal issues have all changed. Most for the better.

Significant changes at all levels.

How have the undergraduate members changed over the years?

Collegiate AGRs have changed noticeably.

Their family backgrounds have changed.

There are fewer farm boys and more urban students. More come from single parent homes. More come from a heavily pro-

grammed lifestyle. Unfortunately, some don’t benefit from or have the traditional home regimen we were accustomed to in the 50s, 60s and 70s with a close family cohesiveness, family dinners together, a spiritual background and working together as a unit. All that you hear about the differences in generations is true. The strengths and weaknesses of the silent generation, baby boomers, Xers, generation Y, and the millennials are not exaggerated one bit.

What area does AGR seem to constantly improve?

Daring to be different when it comes to doing the right thing. Most AGR leaders, at all levels, having been willing to suck it up and do the right thing in the face of a serious question or issue.

And, I think because we are true to our social professional fraternity values, we continue to be relevant to global agriculture.

Agriculture is such a dynamic industry and for us to continue to produce its leaders, we must be just as dynamic and forward thinking always.

What do you hope the next 40 years for Alpha Gamma Rho looks like?

Maintain the same posture and stature of doing the right thing for the right reasons.

Keep Making Better Men. Never fear positive change. Keep demanding good performance, good behavior, good programming, good decisions and good results.

Keep finding ways to attract even more quality young men. Young men coming to AGR need AGR more now than ever in our 111 year history.

What is the one thing that means the most to you after 40 years?

Our purpose has not changed. To Make Better Men and through them a broader agriculture…. Our values and standards have not wavered.

If you could say one thing to all AGRs, what would it be?

Simple. Thank you. Thank you for allowing me to represent you and lead the Home Office for these years. Your trust, encouragement, support and even challenges are valued and cherished. Fraternities are all about Brotherhood and the AGR Brotherhood is something very special.

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Transitions

In Memory of Our Great Brothers The following deaths were reported to the Home Office since the last publication of Sickle & Sheaf. The listing includes initiation year.

Arkansas

Dale Killian, 1946

Arkansas State

Kent Zitzelberger, 2001

Florida

Eugene F. Griffin, 1953

Kansas State

Richard E. Hanson, 1948 Kurt R. Sulzman, 1992

Kentucky

James D. Kemp, 1947

Maryland

Montana

David B. Ferguson, 1947 Thomas M. Quinn, 1941 Howard V. Shearer, 1942 Donald T. Torell, 1946

Nebraska

Harold H. Thompson, 1944

Gerald C. Chmelka, 1940 William S. Gibson, 1947

Michael T. Hilton, 1981 William L. Lanier, 1947

Massachusetts

New Hampshire

Illinois

Michigan State

Georgia

Daniel W. Bock, 1961 Donald R. Jenkins, 1963 Albert Paul Peter, 1966

Iowa State

C. Frederick. Foreman, 1958 Willard J. Latham, 1960 David L. Shoultz, 1961

James R. Clapp, 1954

Edward. R. Panzner, 1946

Minnesota

Stuart V. Immer, 1957 Michael C. Lindquist, 1975

Missouri

Victor Schweizer, 1961 Nelson G. Trickey, 1947

Oregon

Cayle Henry Krebs, 2003

Penn State

Torrence W. Dohl, 1948 Wallace H. Dunlap, 1938 Kenneth H. Maddy, 1941 Russell R. Till, 1963

Purdue

Donald E. Gould, 1951 Leslie J. Ward, 1936

Lowell S. Hardin, 1936 Roger M. Ide, 1948 W. Wayne Townsend, 1948

New Mexico

Tennessee-Knoxville

Donald J. Cass, 1951

North Dakota State

Ralph Leo Harmon, 1946 Marvin L. Holje, 1950 Earl Marifjeren, 1949 Timothy O. Nordquist, 1970 Clint W. Paulson, 1990

Oklahoma State

A. L. Bonner, 1955 Robert C. Welch, 1969

Charles Aaron Lewter, 1959 William T. Rolen, 1961

Truman State

Casey Lee Davis, 2009

Vermont

William Wright Parkinson, 2014

Virginia Tech

Edwin H. Sayre, 1980

Washington State

John George Sargent, 1946 Robert J. Reed, 1942

Western Kentucky

Danny L. Creasy, 1971 Kent A. Koostra, 1966 William S. Sympson, 1966

Wisconsin-Madison

Edward C. Naber, 1948

Utah State

Wayne E. Roach, 1969

Washington State

Neil Edward Haley, 1948 Joel H. Magisos, 1964

Oklahoma State

Gordon W. Schmidt, 1954

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The Pillars

Rec ruit

Edu cat e

it

The previous record number of initiates was 1,194

Rec ogn i

ze

ars Doll rded awa GR in A ips larsh scho .

015 for 2

$14,750

of ber Num and Gr new t’s iden Pres iety Soc bers mem 15. in 20

unt Amo d for raise ect conn AGR n paig Cam

$2,343,879

Com m

99

1 ,278

rd reco The ber num tes itia of in took who h Oat the e ecom to b r othe a br e in th – 15 4 1 20 ol scho . year

You Gave, We Delivered.

Learn more about AGRconnect on page 4.

This record number is 20 more members than in 2013-14. See Grand Presidents Society members on page 25.

Scholarship applications are due each year on April 30.

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A chat with the

Grand President

As Grand President, Cal Willemssen, South Dakota State, serves in the

top leadership position in Alpha Gamma Rho. He visits several chapters annually, interacts with numerous collegiate and alumni members, and engages frequently with the elected leaders of Alpha Gamma Rho and other fraternities. Cal recently sat down with the Sickle and Sheaf to share his thoughts on the future of AGR and the future of fraternities.

S&S: What do you see as the major issues that AGR needs to address in the next year or two?

Alpha Gamma Rho continues to experience dynamic growth, both in numbers of Brothers and Chapters.

Nearly 71,000 men have been initiated since 1904. Last December we chartered a new chapter at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. We have a new colony at Morrisville State College in Morrisville, New York. We initiated nearly 1,300 new Brothers last year and our annual growth in new Brothers continues an upward trend.

The financial status of our national organization is strong and the AGR Educational Foundation continues to support our programs through generous giving by 10

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our Brothers. Several of our chapters have constructed new houses or renovated existing houses in the last four years, so we are seeing better housing for many chapters.

Our chapter assistance and house assessment programs are contributing to this effort.

Yet, with all of these accomplishments we are faced with serious issues and concerns.

On college campuses in general and for all fraternities, including Alpha Gamma Rho, there are safety issues brought on primarily by alcohol abuse and drug use.

These issues manifest themselves in the form of hazing and sexual assault. We should have zero tolerance for any activity that can result in these behaviors! It is important that we take steps to deal with these issues now.

S&S: At our annual Leadership Conference in August, you emphasized the acronym CLASS. Can you give us more insight into what CLASS means for AGR? I have stated on several occasions that AGR should aspire to become and remain a CLASS Fraternity. I mean this literally and like to amplify the meaning by using CLASS as an acronym. As an acronym I have used two sets of words, first: Character, Loyalty, Adaptability, Service and Stewardship, and second: Courage, Leadership, AGRconnect, Safety, and Steadfast.

At the collegiate level our Brothers must provide courageous leadership using resources provided by and through AGRconnect and other means to create safer

environments that eliminate alcohol abuse, drug use, sexual assault and hazing. Brothers must remain steadfast in that effort until it is accomplished. This will make our campuses and communities better and prepare our Brothers well for careers and life after college.

Alumni Brothers need to be supportive and creative in assisting collegiate chapters in accomplishing these ends.

We must all have the will to adopt practices and policies that will eliminate these problems.

All of our Brothers need to remember the basic principles and values of Alpha Gamma Rho and remain loyal to them. At the same time we all need to be adaptable to changing needs of our younger Brothers as they learn and move into a diverse

“Because of AGR’s unique standing as both a social and professional fraternity, we have an opportunity to provide real leadership that will be recognized and respected long after Brothers graduate.”

and worldwide community.

We all need to remember our responsibility to be of service to others and to be good stewards of our Fraternity and the positive environment it can create in agriculture, our communities and the world.

provides lifelong benefits that new Brothers could not attain in other ways. Clearly, no other fraternity provides this opportunity to Brothers while they are still undergraduates.

In the long run, AGR’s professional aspect is an invaluable asset for our membership.

S&S: How does AGR differ from other fraternities because of its dual focus on social and professional development?

We also need to look at our national organizational model to ensure that it operates like modern-day professional businesses and organizations.

We need to ensure that our national organization engages and interacts with our members, chapters, advisers, alumni leaders and officers in the same way leading professional organizations and corporations interact with their employees, managers and customers. AGRconnect is beginning to provide tools for doing this, but we must accelerate its adoption and

Because of AGR’s unique standing as both a social and professional fraternity, we have an opportunity to provide real leadership that will be recognized and respected long after Brothers graduate. New Brothers have an opportunity to build a worldwide network of experienced professionals long before they graduate. This professional aspect of AGR

add to its features so that it reflects the type of professional enterprise tool that is in use in the business world today.

in implementing policies and practices that reduce safety risks. Simply managing risk is no longer acceptable, risk must be reduced!

S&S: What are the challenges for fraternities and the fraternity system ahead?

Our Brothers, all of us, whether at the collegiate level or later in life must provide courageous leadership at this important time. We must ensure that our chapters avoid risks that put them, their members and others in their community in jeopardy.

Alpha Gamma Rho and other members of the fraternity system must take actions to reduce risks associated with unacceptable behaviors, primarily associated with alcohol and drug abuse. Many campuses on which AGR resides are at a crossroads with regard to safety of students.

Our campuses and society at large will not tolerate such behaviors in the years ahead.

It is time to stop talking about “risk management” and start talking about “risk reduction”. AGR must be a leader

As we look ahead, we must strive to be diverse in our membership, both with regard to academic majors (while maintaining the focus on agriculture) and with regard to initiating brothers from different social and ethnic groups. Again, this will prepare us all for the world going forward.

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Loss of My Sweetheart.

Support of My Brothers.

Chelsey Henkenius, a Wartburg alumna and an Alpha Gamma Rho sweetheart, was killed in a crash on December 27, 2014, south of Lake City, Iowa. Andrew Lauver, an Eta chapter alumnus and Henkenius’ boyfriend, was injured in the crash – however, his injuries were drastically worse when he woke to find that his girlfriend of many years had passed away.

Andrew wrote an article in memory of his AGR sweetheart that certainly touched the hearts of all readers. He wrote about Chelsey, describing her as driven, caring and immensely beautiful — inside and out.

Andrew wrote of the love story him and Chelsey shared and their dreams of the future. He described the day those dreams seemed to slip away and how the love of his Alpha Gamma Rho brothers continues to help him with this tragedy. The following is an excerpt from his article.

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Waking up the day after Christmas, 2014, I looked the love of my life and AGR Sweetheart, Chelsey Marie Henkenius, in the eyes. We laughed, smiled, and talked about what we were going to do with the day God had given us, surrounded by the loving parents and siblings we were blessed with.

At 24 and 22, we had the world by the tail, daydreaming about what life had in store for us each day.

Our time together on earth reflects the lyrics of a country love song, meeting at a 4-H skating party when we were 15 and 13, proceeding to date all 4 years of high school, and then attending college where I became immersed in activities within Iowa State’s Alpha Gamma Rho Eta Chapter, as Chelsey excelled as an NCAA track athlete at Wartburg College. All the while, it was our love and compassion for family and our rural farming community of Lake City, Iowa that weaved our two hearts together forever.

I did not know this would be the last day I would tell her how much I loved her. For if I did, I would’ve held on without letting go, cherishing every second we had in hopes time would simply stop.

December 26th was a special evening for us, and one that involved a reunion of Alpha Gamma Rho brothers and their sweethearts at a local brother’s home. I recall the conversations between Chelsey and I that evening — traveling to visit our AGR friends — discussing who may get married next and the many upcoming weddings that summer. Chelsey knew how important the brothers of Alpha Gamma Rho and their sweethearts were to our future life together, and she welcomed them with open arms through her caring personality. As a vivid memory, I recall smiling at her that evening as she sat amongst the other AGR sweethearts on the floor of the upstairs living room, while as brothers we conversed and shared stories downstairs. Later, I came to find out the other young women were informing Chelsey they all thought she was “next” in line to be engaged, to which she simply smiled, as only she most beautifully could.

Loss of My Sweetheart.

Support of My Brothers.

Our time together on earth reflects the lyrics of a country love song, meeting at a 4-H skating party when we were 15 and 13 We spent the last while of our time with the brothers and their sweetheart’s watching them play cards, since neither of us were card players. As we observed, I bounced her on my lap, while she smiled and laughed. We then decided it was time to depart for home, gave and received hugs from the brothers and their sweethearts.

It was after the creation of those precious memories formulated through God’s love and the bonds of Alpha Gamma Rho, that I regained consciousness in a hospital bed following our auto-accident, with the chaplain holding my hand. I was informed Chelsey had gone to Heaven to become an angel. No one tells you how to deal with something so unexpected. You begin asking yourself what to do, where to go, but there are no answers. It is solely faith, family, and friends who are there to hold you and keep you afloat.

Chelsey left this quote for us before she went to Heaven and I hold it in my heart every day: “God doesn’t give you the people you want, he gives you the people you need. To help you, to hurt you, to leave you, to love you, and to make you the person you were meant to be.”

I layed in the hospital bed surrounded by family and the brothers of Alpha Gamma Rho. My mind was spinning in a million directions, centered on Chelsey and the life we had lived and planned, which was instantly ripped from our fingertips. We were set to start our master’s degrees in January 2015, become engaged in February 2015, and planned to eventually come home to our farming community to be close to family, AGR brothers, and give back to those who had given us so much throughout our young lives. We wanted a tan house with a wraparound porch, cows, and four kids (two little farm boys and two little farm girls). She would be the track coach, and I, a 4-H leader.

In the hours after the tragedy, it was family, friends, and the brothers of Alpha Gamma Rho who held our families up.

There were many people surrounding us, holding us, hugging us, and loving us. It is with a proud heart that I say the brothers of AGR were the ones who seemed to “know what to say” at moments when words were a needle in haystack.

There is no “right way” to deal with grief, but there are ways to channel your energy to focus on the positives. The months after experiencing such a loss continue to be a critical time when people who “hold you” become most important, and for me that wouldn’t be complete without the men of Alpha Gamma Rho. 14

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When one brother hurts, we all hurt, and it is the love we have for each other as brothers, through the bonds of Alpha Gamma Rho, that hold us together through the darkest of times. As I returned home to the farm, AGR brothers came in droves to provide their support to our families. The outpouring of support we had from the brothers at Chelsey’s services surpassed our imagination, and shows the compassion of the men we develop within our fraternity walls.

Life was now about “defining” a new normal in a world that had been turned upside down. I found myself staring down the start of graduate school in the beginning of January at Kansas State. During those waning moments, and every day of my life, each minute starts with making God, Chelsey, and those who’ve surrounded us proud, importantly the men of Alpha Gamma Rho. I sat in the classroom on my first day still numb to the world around me, a greater challenge on my mind, clinging to my worry stone with Chelsey’s name engraved. Two of my best AGR brothers Aaron Cling and Skyler Rinker were in class, sitting like pillars beside me, holding me up.

When I lose focus, it’s my AGR sweetheart and the brothers who pick me up. When I lose motivation and it seems like too much, it’s Chelsey and the brothers who lift me up.

These months following the accident have been the most challenging of my life, and it doesn’t get any easier each day, but the sun comes up and we’re still making this world better together, just like we always wanted to. I’m still here, and my AGR sweetheart is too, living each day through me and all who were blessed with the opportunity to know her.

So, what is an AGR Sweetheart?

There are so many things I love about Chelsey, her drive, dedication, care for others, and she was truly the most beautiful girl in the world. Her faith is something I’ve always admired about her as well, and she shared her love for God with many others, including me. To me, this constitutes my AGR Sweetheart and I was fortunate to have her as an angel on this earth as long as I did, and now her ever-present love is above me forever and always, until we reunite again in Heaven.

When one brother hurts, we all hurt, and it is the love we have for each other as brothers, through the bonds of Alpha Gamma Rho, that hold us together through the darkest of times.

In Memory of AGR Sweetheart Chelsey Marie Henkenius: October 6th, 1992- December 27th, 2014

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What I’ve learned from Successful Agriculturists I made a career getting to know successful people. With the promise of success embedded in the name of the publication I edited, Successful Farming magazine, the study of success was a required pursuit. I know you think about success daily, too.

Research studies show many people rate success as the most-coveted result they want from their work and life.

AGRs are known for achievement and success. The Purpose of AGR doesn’t mention success. But the Purpose’s intent is clearly to prepare men for honorable and successful lives. What exactly is success?

And what metrics do you use other than a dollar sign? Below are just six of dozens of attributes that I have observed and admired in successful agriculturists. Each of these six attributes share one common theme: Successful agriculturists are growers.

By Loren Kruse, Kansas State

Successful agriculturists follow and grow their passion. Psychologists tell us

that people pursue with the most passion what they dream about. Sadly, studies indicate that only 20% of people say that’s the case for them in their current work. Successful agriculturists, however, feel truly called to their careers. They see agriculture not as a job but as a calling of purpose, significance and meaning. That view is clearly evident in one definition of vocation I found in the dictionary: “A summons from God to an individual or group to undertake the 16

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obligations and perform the duties of a particular task or function in life; a divine call to a place of service to others in accordance with the divine plan.”

Upshot: Those words fire me up for my role in the world’s most important industry.

How about you?

Successful agriculturists grow their choices. Earned ability to choose is

powerful. One attribute of successful agriculturists is that they choose to outwork the vast majority of people. High achievers plan for and then do what the vast majority of people may only think about, but never do.

K. Anders Ericsson, professor of psychology at Florida State University, is known as the world’s most prominent expert on expertise.

Ericsson’s research refutes the conventional wisdom that top achievers in any endeavor possess extraordinary talent or aptitudes that the rest of us don’t have. Says Ericsson: “I have yet to find a talented person who didn’t earn their talent through hard work and practice.”

While I admire hard work and achievement, I admire even more people who have put themselves in position to be sought and chosen by others. Early in my career I asked a profession-

of all time, the late Adrian Rogers, said this about life’s storms: “There are three kinds of people: Those who are in the middle of a storm, those who are emerging from a storm, and those who will soon be in one.”

When facing difficult circumstances, successful agriculturists call time-out and confront the challenge. I call it the halftime rule: Halftime scores are totally irrelevant! If you pay attention to box scores, note how often the team behind at halftime wins the game — more often than you may think. That’s because the team behind at halftime makes changes — often significant changes. They adjust to do something different.

Upshot: Call timeout when needed, get help, and make deliberate changes that can lead to an improved outcome for your situation or career.

Successful agriculturists grow friends everywhere. Friends away from home both

al farm manager how he chose new operators for farms he managed. He said he first assembled a list of operators who had strong track records of high performance, good stewardship and integrity. “Then,” he said, “from that list I simply choose somebody I’d really like to work with.”

Upshot: Successful agriculturists not only grow the competencies that make them stand out, but they also grow attributes, such as genuine likability, that draw others to want to work with them and to follow them as leaders.

Each of these six attributes share one common theme: Successful agriculturists are growers.

Successful agriculturists grow by storm. How you behave with uncontrolled

adversity storming around you distinguishes you as a person and as a leader far more than how you behave with the equivalent of a bumper crop in the field and limit-up prices on the board of trade. One of the great preachers

within and outside agriculture help them maintain a healthier mental and emotional attitude and expose them to a broader worldview.

Friendships yield other benefits as well.

The Luck Factor is a book that tries to explain why some people are luckier than others. One explanation is called the Spider web Structure.

It means that people who are often thought of as lucky also usually have a high number — a spider web — of friends. In this big spider web they catch more ideas, tips and scraps of information leading to more opportunities and better decisions.

Upshot: While our friends at home are important, friends away from home give us additional balance and perspective. AGRs have a worldwide spider web of brothers.

I never traveled from my office on business without first checking my AGR national directory.

Successful agriculturists grow value.

Successful agriculturists increase their own value with a commitment to learning. While many of us wish the pace of change and flow of new information would slow, successful agriculturists accept that learning takes forever.

They aggressively and deliberately seek to learn from any and all sources. They continually upsize their skills and knowledge to match their dreams and goals while focusing more on what’s next than what’s now.

Successful agriculturists also drive to increase value in every endeavor, enterprise or

group in which they contribute or lead.

As they grow value, such as in a business enterprise or a nonprofit organization, it benefits everyone connected.

Upshot: Growing satisfactory performance and value requires constant upsizing of skill and knowledge. It involves doing dozens of things efficiently. The most appreciated of all successful agriculturists, however, are those who are highly effective as well as efficient.

Effective agriculturists provide the ideas that advance, expand and grow the value of the enterprise or entity. Businesses measure this value as profitable new revenue growth. A group, such as AGR, can measure effectiveness in membership growth or even by increased demand for AGRs whom the marketplace recognizes as better men and better equipped because of the AGR experience.

Call timeout when needed, get help, and make deliberate changes that can lead to an improved outcome for your situation or career.

Successful agriculturists grow others.

Successful agriculturists are caring, encouraging and kind. They are known for lifting others up in a world that cries for positive, inspiring leadership. They add to the joy of any task or meeting just by showing up.

Lebron James is a great NBA player but he can’t score one point until at teammate passes him the ball. Successful agriculturists always remember who tossed them the ball. They honor those people and groups that have made a significant impact in their lives. They give of their resources so that others who follow behind them might have the same personal and life-building experiences they enjoyed in such groups as 4-H, FFA and AGR. Upshot: Write a check of any amount to AGR. Show up at an AGR event. Share your knowledge. As you pass the ball to a young AGR, you’ll earn this “assist” in your box score: A happier and healthier life for practicing generosity. Research studies confirm it!

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The Harvest This section is dedicated to recognizing accomplishments of Alpha Gamma Rho in the 2014-2015 year.

We celebrate the progress of the entire Fraternity and the excellence of its chapters, collegians, alumni, advisers, housemothers, and all those who help advance the Fraternity, and Our Purpose.

The Harvest includes leadership seminar updates, chapter awards, scholarship recipients, major donors, and more.

Whether you are a collegiate leader, an adviser, or a generous donor, thank you for helping Alpha Gamma Rho pursue excellence.

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The Harvest

Leadership Seminars Below are Anonymous quotes from surveys completed reflecting the impact at different summer Leadership seminars.

“I always want to make my chapter better and make better men. I thought the leadership seminar would be a great way to represent

my chapter and learn how I can be a better leader in my chapter, school, and

community.”

“Very well organized and run.

Really enjoy attending and look

forward to it every year!”

Undergraduate Attendance at 2015 Leadership Seminars

“I thought it a great experience for

300

286

the Fresno state chapter, a lot of our brothers are excited to try out the new things that were taught to us and apply them to our process.

240

I think the biggest thing we got out of it was how we can improve overall on every aspect

of the house.”

189 180

145 “I had a great time networking with

120

everyone last year so I wanted to go again. Also,

84

I have to say all of the presentations were really

awesome and applicable this year (I attend a good number of leadership training activities and this is the best one I have had yet)!”

60

Ft. Worth

Chicago

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The Harvest

Chapter Awards GOLD CHAPTERS

Illinois, Alpha Pennsylvania State, Gamma Purdue, Delta North Dakota State, Epsilon Cornell, Zeta Iowa State, Eta Wisconsin-Madison, Iota Nebraska, Kappa Minnesota, Lambda Kentucky, Omicron Michigan State, Tau Montana State, Alpha Delta All Chapters have an opportunity to be recognized for their excellence.

Kansas State, Alpha Zeta

Chapters who achieve all of the requirements for six of the seven categories below are recognized as a Gold Chapter.

Georgia, Alpha Eta

Chapters who achieve all of the requirements for four of the seven categories below are recognized as a Green Chapter.

Tennessee-Martin, Alpha Upsilon

1.

Maryland, Alpha Theta Tennessee-Knoxville, Alpha Kappa Wisconsin-River Falls, Alpha Psi Wisconsin-Platteville, Beta Gamma

Academic Excellence

2. Nurture-Lifelong Membership Development

GREEN CHAPTER STATUS

3. Alumni Relations

Oklahoma State, Pi

4. Chapter Crescents

Cal Poly State, Chi

5. Grow—Recruitment

Arkansas, Alpha Iota

6. Chapter Web Site 7.

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Louisiana State, Alpha Epsilon

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North Carolina State, Nu

Arizona, Alpha Pi South Dakota State, Alpha Phi Western Kentucky, Alpha Chi

The Harvest Recruitment Excellence

Alumni Relations

Best Crescent: Single Issue

The Recruitment award goes to the top three chapters that have implemented an effective, year round recruitment program.

Given to the top three chapters who continually foster strong alumni involvement and leadership both on and off campus throughout the year.

HIGHEST HONOR:

HIGHEST HONOR:

HIGHEST HONOR:

Kansas State, Alpha Zeta

Tennessee-Martin, Alpha Upsilon

Georgia, Alpha Eta

HIGH HONOR:

HIGH HONOR:

North Dakota State, Epsilon HONORABLE MENTION:

Illinois, Alpha

Wisconsin-River Falls, Alpha Psi HONORABLE MENTION:

Kansas State, Alpha Zeta

Kansas State, Alpha Zeta HIGH HONOR:

Wisconsin-Madison, Iota HONORABLE MENTION:

Housemother Social & Cultural Development Given to housemothers that have developed and implemented programs and initiatives to improve the social development and/or cultural awareness of the brothers.

Membership Development

Outstanding Adviser

Given to the top three chapters that have implemented a program which encompasses continuous education and lifelong personal development in not only new members, but also successful re-engagement of alumni.

Given to three advisers that are committed to engaging all brothers in professional development and lifelong success through the Promise & Values of Alpha Gamma Rho.

HIGHEST HONOR:

Purdue, Delta

BJ Gardner, Michigan State, Tau

HIGH HONOR:

HONORABLE MENTION:

Purdue, Delta HIGH HONOR:

Georgia, Alpha Eta HONORABLE MENTION:

Cornell, Zeta

Promise & Values Given to the top three chapters that enthusiastically embrace and uphold the Promise & Values, in turn continually presenting a positive image of Alpha Gamma Rho. HIGHEST HONOR:

Kansas State, Alpha Zeta HIGH HONOR:

Wisconsin-River Falls, Alpha Psi HONORABLE MENTION:

Illinois, Alpha

Academic Excellence Given to the top three chapters that have shown campus leadership in academics and established a strong academic program for their chapter.

HIGHEST HONOR:

Purdue, Delta HIGH HONOR:

Missouri, Theta HONORABLE MENTION:

Kansas State, Alpha Zeta

HIGHEST HONOR:

Iowa State, Eta HONORABLE MENTION:

Oklahoma State, Pi

Alumni Corporation Award Recognizes Alumni Corporations that have demonstrated hard work and continued success for their chapter’s undergraduate membership.

HIGHEST HONOR:

Monica Voiles, Wisconsin-River Falls, Alpha Psi HIGH HONOR:

Lou Walker, Oklahoma State, Pi

Housemother Management Given to the top three Housemothers that consistently demonstrate superior management of the chapter facilities and the chapter as a whole.

HIGHEST HONOR:

Missouri, Theta

Monica Voiles, Wisconsin- River Falls, Alpha Psi

HIGH HONOR:

HIGH HONOR:

HIGHEST HONOR:

Georgia, Alpha Eta HONORABLE MENTION:

Tennessee-Martin, Alpha Upsilon

BJ Gardner, Michigan State, Tau HONORABLE MENTION:

Diane Pinneke, Iowa State, Eta

Chapter Website

Housemother Service

Given to the top three chapters that have developed and implemented the most successful website with respect to ease of navigation, educational content and pleasing appearance.

5th year Mary Sunderman

Beta Omega

Adviser Service 5 year Billy Cole

Western Kentucky

Stephen King

Western Kentucky

Noble Jackson

Arizona

Shane Kitchens

Mississippi State

Mark Metcalf

Ohio State

Nebraska, Kappa

Paul Willis

Abraham Baldwin

Best Crescent Series

10 year James Graham Wisconsin-River David Heimerdinger WisconsinPlatteville James Kliebenstein Iowa State Falls Phill McCallon Murray State Joshua Roe Kansas State

HIGHEST HONOR:

Kansas State, Alpha Zeta HIGH HONOR:

Oklahoma State, Pi HONORABLE MENTION:

HIGHEST HONOR:

Wisconsin-Madison, Iota HIGH HONOR:

Kansas State, Alpha Zeta HONORABLE MENTION:

North Dakota State, Epsilon

15 year Douglas Gardner

Maine

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The Harvest

2015 AGR Scholarship Recipients Alpha Gamma Rho urges excellence from undergraduate brothers and provides encouragement and recognition for intellectual attainment in addition to rewards given by the college. The fraternity considers good scholastic standing a key measure of its members’ success and sense of purpose in college.

AGR Excellence Scholarship Up to four scholarships will be awarded to the individuals that excel in scholarship, leadership, citizenship, activities, and fraternal involvement. All undergraduates are eligible to apply. hh Trent Nagel, Purdue, Delta hh Shayne Wiese, Iowa State, Eta hh Thomas Larson, Wisc.-Madison, Iota hh Jason Wetzler, Oklahoma State, Pi

Lindley Finch Memorial Grant The Foundation will grant one scholarship to an undergraduate who truly has financial need and exhibits leadership and citizenship traits like those of Lindley Finch, including endeavor, resourcefulness, aggressive effort, and a balanced lifestyle. First preference will be given to students of Eta Chapter, Iowa State University. hh Logan Lafrenz, Iowa State, Eta

Harold Olson Scholarship Alpha Gamma Rho undergraduate who has achieved high levels of excellence in scholarship, leadership, citizenship, brotherhood, activities and service. One $500 scholarship will be awarded. hh Zachary Adams, Louisiana State, Alpha Epsilon

Horticulture Scholarship George Staby has provided for one scholarship limited to current AGR undergraduates who are enrolled with a declared horticulture-related major in; among others, entomology, environmental horticulture, horticulture, landscape gardening, landscape horticulture, ornamental horticulture, pest control, plant breeding, plant pathology, plant science (with horticulture emphasis), pomology, and/or vegetable crops; who have completed at least three courses in the department of their declared major, supply a current transcript and send an essay.

Financial need will not be a determinant in the selection process. hh Samuel Koeshall, Tennessee-Knoxville, Alpha Kappa

J. Wayne Rehn Scholarship

hh Zachary Knipp, Missouri, Theta

hh Alexander Mickna, Illinois, Alpha

Undergraduate Achievement Award

Dale Runnion Scholarship

Two scholarships are presented to outstanding undergraduates that excel in all areas of involvement.

A scholarship will be presented to a current AGR undergraduate who plans to complete a college course to pursue a career in agrimarketing, journalism, advertising or public relations. This is not an academic scholarship. Financial needs will not be a

hh Weston Quintrell, Georgia, Alpha Eta FALL 2015

hh Trent Nagel, Purdue, Delta

The recipient must be enrolled as a full time student at their university and current brother of AGR, who has held leadership positions in their community, academics or religious affiliations. Applicant must have a GPA of 3.0 or better. One $1,000 scholarship will be awarded.

hh Matthew Kerns, Iowa State, Eta

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This fund recognizes a member of Alpha Gamma Rho, with first preference going to Psi and/or Delta members who have demonstrated a financial need and a willingness to live by our Promise Statement and uphold the AGR values. Student must be living in the Fraternity house and studying and preparing for a career in or related to agriculture, who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, interest and ability in college, university and/ or community extra-curricular activities.

Award shall be up to $3,000.

Sophomore or junior member of Alpha Gamma Rho, with preference given to Alpha Chapter members, who is majoring in pre-veterinary medicine or in animal science, living in the Fraternity house, and agrees to return to college for his ensuing year, live in the chapter house and continue to pursue his major with a high GPA. One $1,000 scholarship will be awarded.

Robert L. Oehrtman Scholarship Fund

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Lester Smith Memorial Scholarship

The Harvest determinant in the selection process. The completion or plans to complete a course in livestock judging or evaluation, campus and/ or community leadership and active participation in journalistic activities will receive strong consideration. One $250 scholarship will be awarded. hh Harrison Reilly, Cal Poly–SLO, Chi

Bill Sallee Scholarship Alpha Gamma Rho Pi chapter members who truly have the financial need and exhibit leadership and citizenship traits like Bill Sallee including individual endeavor, resourcefulness, aggressive effort and a balanced lifestyle. One $500 scholarship will be awarded. hh Jason Wetzler, Oklahoma State, Pi

Dairy Scholarship Ole Meland has provided a scholarship to be presented annually to one AGR undergraduate who achieves high levels of excellence and is pursuing a major in, among others, dairy science, dairy husbandry, or animal science with a dairy option or emphasis. An undergraduate candidate at Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo will be given first preference. hh Ian Wetterau, Wisc. Platteville, Beta Gamma

Kirby Barrick Scholarship/ Agricultural Education This fund provides one scholarship to a male student who plans to study Agricultural Education at a college with an AGR chapter.

Payment of the scholarship is made once the student enrolls in Agricultural Education and is initiated into the local AGR chapter. hh Christian Thurwanger, Maryland, Alpha Theta hh Hammons Hepner, Oklahoma State, Pi

Educational Foundation Scholarships AGR is offering scholarships to the undergraduate Brothers of Alpha Gamma Rho. Criteria for eligibility for each scholarship differs, but is based on the individual’s pursuit of excellence in scholarship and leadership, and for his contributions to community and fraternity.

The deadline for all Scholarship Applications is April 30. The following scholarships can be applied for by filling out the attached form titled, “National Scholarship Application” and emailing it to awards@alphagammarho.org.

TM

Chairman’s Council $250,000.00– 99,999,999.99 Philip Francis Platinum $100,000.00– 249,999.99 Douglas Eckrote Doyle Jacklin Diamond $50,000.00– 99,999.99 Kirby Barrick Jim Borel Sigmund Cornelius Donald De Jong John Douthat Donnie Smith Gold $10,000.00– 49,999.99 Zane Akins Sandy Belden Jack Britt Donald Brock Tom Davis Ron Grapes Family Ken Isley Al Johnson Gene Lemon Brian Markwell Dave Maurer Ole Meland Steven Newcom David Parker Jerry Puppe Gerald Rominger Jerry Steiner Buster Stewart Glenn Stith Leland Sundet Gene Swackhamer Gordon Thornhill David Van Wert Paul Weubbe Silver $5,000.00– 9,999.99 David Ames Dick Belcher Keith Bjerke Bill Boehm Michael Bosco Rick Carpenter Edward Dollinger Jim Driscoll Brad Garrison David Hollinrake Chuck Iager James Irvin Duane Jacklin A.J. Jacques Troy Johnson Phil Josephson Rob McClelland Gary Nelson Ted Priebe David Schick Larry Warren Gregory Webb Cal Willemssen Jim Zarndt Bronze $0.01–4,999.99 Daniel Adams James Albright Jordan Alf Chad Allaman Jonathan Allen Kenneth Alley Darren Althouse Joshua Altier Dave Anderson Thomas Archer Benjamin Arteman

Holden Asmus Travis Atkins Marvin Aycock Larry Banks Grant Bargfrede Ralph Barnett Samuel Barrick Andy Barricklow Robert Batchelor Patricia Bathie Mitch Beasley Bill Beddow Judson Belding Steven Bensend Joshua Bernecker Ryan Betka Jared Biciolis Tracey Binkley Robert Bishop Brad Blaha Matthew Borges Andrew Bowman Ira Branson Dakota Brasher Milburn Brewster Logan Britton Eric Brown Jess Brown William Brown Taylor Broyles Norman Byerly Don Calhoun Michael Cameron Dale Carpentier Stephen Carr Bill Carriere Peter Chaires John Chapman Jay Chapman Jimmy Cheek G. Richard Childs Isaac Christenson John Claassen Peter Clark Erwin Clark Joseph Coffey Benjamin Collins Donald Colter Theodore Covert Derek Cox Doug Craig Henry Cravens Raymond Crawford Rick Daluge Joe Daniels Andrew Darin John Demerly Kyle Dennis Adam d’Entremont John DeRuiter Mark DiMonte Robert Earnest Dave Eastlake Charles Edson Andrew Ellender Steve Ellis Richard Engel Larry Engelkemier Mike Estadt George Estes Don Evashenko R. Featherston Kirby Fecht Dick Feltner Robert Felton James Ferrell Dennis Fiscus Edwin Fitchett Marvin Flatt Travis Fogler Ed Foley Dan Foor Carl Ford Floyde Forman H Eugene Forrester Maynard Fosberg Terry Francl Gary Frazier Eldon Fredericks Neil Fruechte

The AGRconnect Capital campaign provides for the development and continued expansion of AGRconnect — Alpha Gamma Rho’s e-learning resource designed to engage, educate and empower our members. Whether you are an undergraduate or an alumnus, AGRconnect has something to offer each and every member.

The following list recognizes those brothers and friends who have supported the AGRconnect Capital Campaign with a gift and/or pledge. Thank you for investing in the future of Alpha Gamma Rho! Kenneth Fryman Wayne Fuller Julian Garcia Michael Gardella Andrew Geary George Gee Adam Geiger Lucas Gibson Austin Gillham H. Charles Goan Daniel Goetz Ed Goulet Alan Grant Russell Gray J. D. Greiner Doug Griffin Thomas Griffin Walter Griffith Ethan Groos Frederick Gross Paul Gutierrez Kayden Guymon Nicholas Haiwick Thomas Hamm David Hamman Bill Hantke Ralph Harper George Harris John Harvey Bill Hayen Albert Headlee Brett Hedrick Gerald Hegreberg Tim Heiller Clifford Henning Kip Herzog Ronald Hirst Mark Holloway Charles Holmes Thomas Hookom Michael Hosfield Tony Howard Chuck Howlett Steve Hupman A.L. Hutson Duane Ischer William Jackson Shawn Jasper Donald Jensen Ross Jensen Carl Jessen Mark Jewell Dan Johnson Roger Johnson Aaron Johnson Denver Johnston Caleb Jones Neal Jorgensen LCJ Jost Oliver Juengel Eddie Kahle Brenn Kai Jack Kaltenberg Elliott Kann Harry Karle Reagan Kays Garrett Kays Lawrence Keeley Victor Kendall Keith Kennedy Ned Kirklin Pat Klitz Thad Koenigsfeld Dave Korbelik Cameron Krebs Lane Kreiling Loren Kruse Thad Kuhfuss Cody Lane Burgess Lange Dan Larson Roger Latham Scott Laufenberg Al Leidel Russell Leonardini Bernie Lester Kaleb Long William Longinaker Tom Looney Aaron Lower

Vernon Luft Calvin Lynch Justin Lynn Shawn Maclin Rodger Main Harry Markos Elliott Marsh Kenneth Marshall Martin Massengale Michael Mauzey Russ Mawby Robert May Phill McCallon Ken McCorkle Larry McCraney Don McFeeters Ken McGuffey Jack McKiddy Ted McKinney Nate McMullen Scott McWhinney Cathie Menard David Merwin Derek Middlesworth Bob Miller David Minnick Scott Moffitt Phillip Monson David Moore Allen Morell Kelvin Moreno John Morris Fred Mueller Wilbur Mull Brian Myers Sarah Nadler Marty Napier James Nasados Tanner Nelson Samuel Nelson Clyde Nelson L.H. Nichols Greg Nickerson Lane Nordlund Curtis Norenberg Jim Nunn James Nygren Frederick Oomens Amos Orcutt Eduardo Ortega Steven Ortman Edward Osborne Durward Owen Craig Parker Marc Paulson Jacky Pennington Ross Peter Steven Peterson Tyler Pierson John Pillsbury George Pinkerton Paul Pinyan Keith Pletcher Ray Pletcher Glenn Poxleitner Timothy Preuninger Jim Price Scott Priebe John Pucheu William Pucheu Keith Putnam Matt Rackerby Cole Ratzburg Michael Rawlings David Ray Randle Richardson John Ricketts Cory Riggs Aaron Rill Bud Riviere Grady Roberts Max Rodibaugh John Romines Ken Root James Ross George Ruff Gerry Salzman Brian Sarris

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Micah Scanga Ronald Schaefer Ritchie Schaefer Duane Schaefer Daniel Schafer L. Patrick Scheetz William Schilling Mark Schlesser Kirby Schmidt Kyle Schmit Will Schuhknecht Paul Schulte Wayne Segner Stasia Sherman Richard Simonian Jesse Singerhouse Ken Slofkosky Cecil Spear Alexander Spinler Bernie Staller Dwight Steen Earle Steeves Frederick Steinmeyer James Stephenson Ralph Stewart Leslie Stith Dale Stith Randy Stoecker Christopher Sutton James Svoboda David Swaters Gordon Tennett Josh Terhune Daryl Theis Mark Thies Stanton Thomas James Thompson Bret Thurmond Douglas Tippens Peter Tomlinson Randy Torgerson Justin Torres Paul Toste Louis Trapp Jeremy Turner Officer unknown Unknown Donor Jay Van Wert Spencer Vance Nicholas Vander Poel Tracy Vigil Monica Voiles Tim Von Thun Alex Wach Josh Wackler Lenard Wagner Natalie Walker John Walker Ken Walsh Dave Waters K. Russell Weathers Paul Weller Brian Wendland Jerrod Westfahl Doug Weyer Thomas White Doug Wicker Wayne Willems Seth Williams Paul Willis Bear Wilson James Wise Arlen Wonderlich Lee Wright Allen Wysocki Logan Yearsley Paul Young — American AgCredit/CoBank Morgan Stanley Pepsico Foundation Willis of Nebraska

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The Harvest

Lifetime Giving Levels

We recognize those brothers with cumulative lifetime giving of $5,000 or more to The Educational Foundation of Alpha Gamma Rho prior to September 5, 2015, and indicate the number of gifts made during their lifetime. Thank you all for your generous and continued support of Alpha Gamma Rho.

NAME

CHAPTER-SCHOOL

Founders’ Circle A.J. Jacques Malone Mitchell

Philip Francis Gene Lemon

Norberta Modliszewski Kirby Barrick Dick Bere Douglas Eckrote Mike Jackson Steven Newcom Gene Swackhamer David Sunderland Bill Hantke Samuel Davis Bradley Gungoll Doug Jackson Lee Larkin Doyle Jacklin Russ Mawby John Douthat Bernie Lester Richard Chase Randy Stoecker Bill Boehm

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32 1

$500,000 – $999,999 Alpha-Illinois Alpha-Illinois

Order of the Harvest

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$1,000,000 – $4,999,999 Pi-Oklahoma State Pi-Oklahoma State

Order of the Brotherhood

24

TOTAL # OF GIFTS

22 45

$100,000 – $499,999 Beta-Ohio State Beta-Ohio State Delta-Purdue Delta-Purdue Delta-Purdue Delta-Purdue Epsilon-North Dakota State Iota-Wisconsin-Madison Nu-North Carolina State Pi-Oklahoma State Pi-Oklahoma State Pi-Oklahoma State Sigma-Washington State Tau-Michigan State Alpha Gamma-Florida Alpha Zeta-Kansas State Alpha Zeta-Kansas State Alpha Zeta-Kansas State Alpha Psi-UWRiver Falls

3 71 17 22 39 42 69 3 13 35 2 5 27 60 100 24 56 8 60 109

NAME

Order of the Shield

CHAPTER-SCHOOL

TOTAL # OF GIFTS

$50,000 – $99,999

Fobes Groves, Inc. Steven Gerdes Alpha-Illinois Larry Gerdes Alpha-Illinois Bill Richards Beta-Ohio State Thomas Timmer Beta-Ohio State William Yerkes Gamma-Penn State Sandy Belden Delta-Purdue Byram Dickes Delta-Purdue Gregory Halverson Epsilon-North Dakota State Al Johnson Epsilon-North Dakota State Corey Martin Epsilon-North Dakota State Jerry Puppe Epsilon-North Dakota State Jim Borel Eta-Iowa State Sigmund Cornelius Eta-Iowa State David Van Wert Eta-Iowa State Steve Ellis Theta-Missouri Charlie Napier Theta-Missouri Robert Wheeler Theta-Missouri Karl Drye Iota-Wisconsin-Madison Russell Schuler Iota-Wisconsin-Madison Arthur Tab Williams Nu-North Carolina State Glenn Stith Omicron-Kentucky Ray Beck Pi-Oklahoma State Jeffrey Bode Pi-Oklahoma State Gary Clark Pi-Oklahoma State Joe Hinz Pi-Oklahoma State James Sigmon Pi-Oklahoma State Dennis Slagell Pi-Oklahoma State Donald De Jong Chi-Cal Poly Ole Meland Chi-Cal Poly Steve Burgess Alpha Zeta-Kansas State Loren Kruse Alpha Zeta-Kansas State Doug Weyer Alpha Zeta-Kansas State Donnie Smith Alpha Kappa-Tennessee Knoxville Phillip Nichols Alpha Tau-Western Illinois

3 1 6 11 17 6 23 54 37 7 50 13 40 43 40 46 83 33 9 26 2 3 18 3 4 25 16 13 16 29 40 26 70 49 4 13

The Harvest

Loyalty Fund The 2014-15 Loyalty Fund for AGR enables the Foundation to support matching funds, leadership seminars, scholarship awards and many other educational and leadership programs. The following list honors those who supported this annual giving campaign from July 1, 2013–June 30, 2014 with unrestricted contributions. Thank you for your loyal support of Alpha Gamma Rho! $5,000 OR MORE

Four Pillars Society Membership is based on annual contributions of $5,000$1,000,000,000, specifically in response to Loyalty Fund for AGR solicitation. This listing recognizes brothers who are focused on a vision in support of educational programs that inspire young brothers towards success.

ALPHA-ILLINOIS Gene Lemon DELTA-PURDUE Gene Swackhamer ETA-IOWA STATE Jim Borel

XI-AUBURN Samuel Jones SIGMA-WASHINGTON STATE Doyle Jacklin

$1,904– $4,999

The 1904 Society The Foundation’s giving club for young alumni and collegiates, members of the 1904 Society are focused on a vision that supports educational programs to inspire young members towards success.

Any collegiate who pledges an unrestricted gift of $19.04 or more, or any young alumnus who pledges an unrestricted five-year pledge of $1,904 or more to the Loyalty Fund, is recognized as a member of the 1904 Society. The following listing honors members of the 1904 Society.

DELTA-PURDUE Mike Jackson OMICRON-KENTUCKY Glenn A. Stith

KAPPA-NEBRASKA Gregory R. Mullins

Grand President’s Society Membership is based on annual contributions of $1,000-$1,903 or more, specifically in response to Loyalty Fund for AGR solicitation.

This listing recognizes brothers who are focused on a vision in support of educational programs that inspire young brothers towards success.

BETA-OHIO STATE David Ames Kirby Barrick Dennis Fox Dwight Steen Karl Warnke

ALPHA ZETA-KANSAS STATE Donald Griffiths Loren Kruse Randy Stoecker

ZETA-CORNELL Don Calhoun Timothy Dayka

ALPHA THETA-MARYLAND Paul Weller

ETA-IOWA STATE Charlie Brown Sigmund Cornelius Tim Heiller Arlen Wonderlich THETA-MISSOURI Zane Akins Stephen Barr Leroy Burkemper Jerome Graeser Larry Warren IOTA-WISCONSINMADISON Samuel Miller Robert Schwert Jerry Steiner KAPPA-NEBRASKA Hal Cooper Larry Engelkemier William Schilling Richard Wahlstrom XI-AUBURN Thomas Russell

$1,000-$1,903

ALPHA-ILLINOIS Brett Bayston Joseph Bicknell Edward Dollinger David Hollinrake Thad Kuhfuss Dave Maurer Wilbur Nelson Lyle Orwig David Schick

EPSILONNORTH DAKOTA STATE Dale Anderson Al Johnson

GAMMAPENN STATE Rick Carpenter William Yerkes DELTA-PURDUE Wayne Beehler Joseph Coffey Thomas Davis Dick Feltner Jake Ferris Eldon Fredericks Harold Harper Paul Lake C. James McCormick David Parker Scott Priebe Charles Whittington

OMICRON-KENTUCKY Steve Hupman PI-OKLAHOMA STATE Paul Burrell TAU-MICHIGAN STATE William Hellegas Dave Willetts PHI-CALIFORNIADAVIS Ken McCorkle Scott Rominger Jeremy Turner CHI-CAL POLY Jeffrey Sanders ALPHA GAMMA-FLORIDA Barry Bustillo John Douthat Brad Drake Bernie Lester Jim Newsome

ALPHA PI-ARIZONA Robert Briggs Kelly Keithly Ronald Rayner ALPHA RHO-VERMONT James Carpenter ALPHA SIGMAFRESNO STATE Michael Way ALPHA TAUWESTERN ILLINOIS Gerry Salzman ALPHA PHISOUTH DAKOTA STATE Cal Willemssen ALPHA CHIWESTERN KENTUCKY Jack Britt ALPHA PSIUWRIVER FALLS Bill Boehm Phil Josephson Gary Thome ALPHA OMEGAMURRAY STATE Dwight Armstrong BETA ALPHA– SOUTHERN ILLINOIS Daniel Larson BETA DELTAILLINOIS STATE Bruce Attig BETA ZETA-CLEMSON Michael Freeman BETA ETA-VIRGINIA TECH Ronnie Green BETA THETAMIDDLE TENNESSEE Jason Searles BETA TAUMISSISSIPPI STATE Brad Garrison

ALPHA DELTAMONTANA STATE Jim Driscoll

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The Harvest

Memorial Gifts

Memorial Gifts may be made on behalf of any Alpha Gamma Rho Brother and directed to any fund.

The following listing recognizes the Alpha Gamma Rho Brothers and friends who gave in memory of their Alpha Gamma Rho Brother between July 1, 2014 and September 15, 2015.

In Memory Of: Cale E. Boedeker

by Elmer Hare Ford Sales, Inc.

by W. T. Maupin Agency, Inc.

by Hauk Kruse & Associates, LLC

by Kim Adams

by Independent Aggies

by Casey D. Alden

by Glen H Allred

by Heather D Allred

by Robert W. Anderson

by James & Yvonne Andrews

by John & Susan Angelhow

by Charles & Colleen Appel

by Gary E Arth

by Heather C Arth

by Michael & Shelly Arth

by Kirk & Kathryn Austin

by Jim & Janice Backes

by Robin & Paulette Baker

by Joseph & Margaret Barr

by Joseph & Paula Barr

by Tyler & Laura Barr

by Charles & Jane Bartlett

by Clint H. Behm

by Clinc & Angela Behn

by Joe & Lori Benedick

by Susan Bishop

by Everette & Frances Black

by Thomas & JoEllen Black

by Ronald & Vicki Jo Bledsoe

by Bonnie Boedeker

by Elizabeth A Boedeker

by H. H. Boedeker

by James & Helen Boedeker

by Jerome & Pat Boedeker

by John L Boedeker

by Jon & Christine Boedeker

by Marcia A Boedeker

by Wilfred & Marian Boedeker

by Tim Boedeker

by Nina Boling

by Paul & Jodi Boschert

by Yvonne Gale Bradshaw

26

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by E. W. & Rhonda Browning

by Martha Brunkhorst

by Marty & Janet Bryan

by Pat Bryan

by Vince & Jill Buck

by Ronald & Margaret Burfeind

by Justin D. Buschjost

by Darlene Campbell

by T. J. CAmpbell

by Joseph & Marie Carroll

by Edward & Gayle Carter

by Ken & Brenda Castle

by James L Chevalier

by Mark & Karla Clause

by Wayne & JoAnne Clause

by Bernadette Cleary

by Dennis C Clemons

by Douglas & Nancy Clemons

by Robert & Donna Clemons

by Ronald & Molly Clemons

by Page & Greg Clouse

by Pre Veterinary Club of MU

by John & Peggy Clyde

by Debbie K Coleman

by Frank & Reve Coleman

by Donald & Angela Collins

by G & G Mechanical Contractors, Inc.

by David & Lura Cooley

by Ron & Daphne Cooley

by Wes & Lori Craig

by Roger & Rosemary Crank

by Stephanie Crank

by Donald & Sharon Crawford

by Zachary P. Crews

by Andrew R. Daus

by Willie Ann Dautenhahn

by Mike & Jeanine Davis

by Kevin E. Dehn

by MU Chapter of Delta Gamma

by Rise’ Willis DePaoli

by Amy Leigh Dey

by Tim Dierking

by Gary & Jean Dowell

by Glendell R Dowell

by Ross & Becky Dowell

FALL 2015

by Shannon N Dowell

by David & Sharon Downs

by Clark & Mary Lou Driskell

by Diane T Dudenhoeffer

by Erek & Teal Dusenberry

by Edwin M Eaheart

by Anthony & Mary Eddy

by Stephen W. Edwards

by Doug & Geralyn Ehrhardt

by Sidney Ehrhardt

by Wayne & Arlene Ehrhardt

by Anita F Elson

by Davis Lawn Equipment

by TriState Construction Equipment Co.

by D.J. Fahnestock

by Thiel Farm, LLC

by Thiel Farms, LLC

by Kirby D. Fecht

by Curtis J. Fischer

by Brandt Fitzgerald

by Thomas & Beverly Fitzgerald

by Marshall High Football Team

by Ethan L. Fordyce

by Steve & April Fornshell

by Joyce B Fox

by Willard & Wanda Frain

by Greg Gaba

by Elaine Garrett

by Betsy Gauldin

by Cliff & Paula Gauldin

by Kathy Gauldin

by Kirk & Barb Gauldin

by Larry & Linda Gauldin

by Brent & Ann Gorrell

by Charles & Carolyn Gorrell

by Keith & Marcia Gorrell

by Randy Gott

by Stephen & Sarah Graver

by Daniel & Lisa Gray

by Mathew Green

by R. Ann Green

by McNerney Management Group, Inc.

by Clint L. Guier

by Dean & Paula Guier

by Kile & Sandy Guthrie

by Louis Hains

by Roberta Lee Hains

by Matthew S Hare

by James & Sara Hargrave

by Mike & Linda Harlow

by Burt Harriman

by David Marc Harris

by Douglas C. Harvey

by Hugh & Angela Harvey

by Jack W Harvey

by Mark & Dianne Harvey

by David & Linda Hayes

by James G Heinzler

by Charles H Henke

by Aaron M Henley

by Steven & Kerri Henness

by Mike & Christy Heying

by Amy Hines

by Mike & Dixie Hisle

by Calvin & Sandra Hudson

by Thomas & Sheila Huesgen

by George & Jane Huff

by Eddie Hutcherson

by Nick & Leslie Hutson

by DFEOM Inc.

by Terry Jenkins

by Chad & Tammy Johnson

by Joel & Beth Ann Johnson

by Allan & Ruth Johnston

by Phoebe Jones

by Jeff & Kim Kaufman

by Kelly & Elaine Kelly

by Jason & Cara Kemble

by Linda Louise King

by Daniel W. Kipping

by James & Doll Kiser

by W. G. & Barbara Kiser

by JW & CD Klasing

by Frederick R Klinge

by Jeanette Klinge

by Frederick R Klingle, III

by Thad Koenigsfeld

by David & JAnice Kueker

by Matthew D. Kueker

by Derek & Gentry Lark

by Neil & Joyce Leimkuehler

by James & Julie Lewis

by Kenneth & Jane Lewis

by Kim Lewis

by Nancy Lightfoot

by Emily Lippmann

by Christopher & Danielle Livengood

by Vincent J & Dana Livsey

by Evelyn Lynch

by Dale & Deann Malan

by Douglas & Diana Malan

by Robert & Sally Malan

by David & Janice Malecki

by Donald F Malter

by Fred & Julie Malter

by Justin & Rebecca Malter

by Kyle B. Malter

by Mike & Kim Malter

by Thomas & Roseann Malter

by Jerry G Mann

by Brady L. Manning

by Brian & Jacqueline Marshall

by J. Oliver & Kathy Marshall

by Todd R. Marshall

by Beverly Maupin

by Chad & Rendy Maupin

by Charles G Maupin

by Walburga May

by Walter & Cheryl McBride

by Brian McCorkle

by Craig McDaniel

by William R. McNair

by Dee McVey

by Herbert & Dana Melies

by Leroy & Selma Melies

by Tom & Mary Carol Melling

by Barbara S Miller

by Margaret Minear

by Paul& Brenda Mizer

by Larry & Carolyn Morgan

by Derek & Mandy Morton

by Brenda Gail Mull

by Brennon Mullins

by Marty Napier

by Billy Joe & Brent Narron

by Brett Naylor

by Joyce Nelson

by Jamie Franklin Nichols

by Neal & Lynda Niendick

by Robert & Margaret Oehlschlaeger

by Alpha Mu Chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta

by Community Bank of Marshall

by Interfraternity Council of The Univ of MOColumbia

by Kathi Oster

by Ronald & Kathryn Ott

by Ryan E. Otto

by Dianna K Owens

by Malachi & Jill Page

by Tom Palmer

by Univ of Missouri Panhellenic Assoc

by Darren & Sara Pannier

by Joseph L. Parcell

by Kyle & Holly Parkhurst

by Nancy Paulus

by Sheric & Jill Paulus

by Roger & Bryanne Payne

by Karen Peterson

by Pete & Karen Peterson

by Mark & Judith Petzoldt

by Dean & Diane Phegley

by Becky Plattner

by Ronald & Jacquelyn Plattner

by Allen & Dawn Plummer

by Kris Plummer

by Gladys R Pointer

by Jason & Cari Pointer

by Larry & Marva Pointer

by Terry & Michelle Pointer

by Tim & Susan Pointer

by Lois Pomerenke

by Geroge & Michelle Porter

by Jason & Lori Price

by Larry & Kristie Price

by Kay Pummill

by L. Lyne & Hillary Quick

by William & B Joyce Ramsey

by Ransom & Julie Ray

by Ed & Ginger Reis

by Timothy E Rempe

by Evelyn Reser

by Bobby Dean & Debra L Richardson

by Kevin & Pam Riggs

The Harvest

Heritage Club

by Matt & Julia Riley

by Monte & Luanne Robertson

by Dennis & Rebecca Rolf

by William & Laura Ryan

by Tim Samson

by Brent & Connie Sandidge

by Jeanne Scheef

by John G. Schenkel

by Rick & Connie Schmidt

by Wendell & Lora Schmidt

by Benton School

by Douglas & Sharon Schroeder

by Gene & Cindy Schroeder

by Justin & Abby Schroeder

by Melvin & Deborah Schroeder

by R.D. & J.A. Schroeder

by Justin & Kyla Schuster

by Bert & Melisa Shannon

by Sherry Shannon

by Trafton W Shannon

by Wayne Shannon

by Arth’s Body Shop

by John & Karla Simpson

by David & Suzanne Smith

by Jim & Stacey Smith

by Melody L Smith

by Michelle K Smith

by Thomas & Linda Smith

by Donald & Brenda Snell

by Ina F Snoddy Dysart

by Peter & Lorene Solomon

by Tom & Susan Stallings

by Jan V Stapleton

by William & Mary Jo Stark

by Richard & Vicky Steding

by Courtney Stephens

by Jammie Stephens

by Joseph W. Stillman

by Jonathan & Michelle Stockman

by Kevin & Mary Strange

by A.J. Sturhahn

by William L. Summers

by Walter & Anita Swier

by Stan R Swisher

by Donald & Myra Switala

by Bryan Thiel

by Donald J Thiel

by Harold Thompson

by Kelly & Harriet Thorp

by Lance & Stephanie Tobin

by Richard & Valerie Toliver

by Terry & Stacey Townsend

by Scott & Vickie Tucker

by Unknown Donor

by Ryland & Martha Jo Utlaut

by Justin & Amanda Van Winkle

by John A & Elia T Vasilopoulos

by Ron & Karen Venable

by Mike & Robyn Veneble

by Stacy A Verts

by J. R. Wade

by Jamie Wade

by Larry R. Warren

by James & Ashley Weaver

by James & Joyce Weaver

by Marty Webster

by Steph Wegner

by John Weinreich

by Andrea S Whitener

by Michael & Jo Wilhite

by Colby W. Willer

by Jimmie & Melody Willis

by Leroy Wise

by Wayne & Vickie Wise

by Sheri Lee Witcher

by Kevin & Paige Yost

by Jim & Janice Backes

by Vincent J & Dana Livsey

by Lois Pomerenke

by John S. Woodward

by Jeff L. Zimmerschied Punk Bonner

by Nelson J. Adams

by A.L. Hutson

by Max W. Lindsay

by Gerald R. Reimer William Brandt

by Sidney W Beddow Virgus Cardozier

by Nancy F Cardozier

Stanley L. Hunewill

by Janet Bliss Hunewill George S. Myers

by Duane A. Newman John M. Rose

by Beverly J Rose Larry W. Schleusner

by Linda L Schleusner Dana O. Schrupp

by June D Schrupp Dale L. Skaalure

by Lorraine J Skaalure

Heritage Club honors brothers and friends who leave a legacy for the future of Alpha Gamma Rho through specific gifts or bequests. Admittance is attained with planned gifts of $10,000 or more designated to The Educational Foundation of Alpha Gamma Rho. If you have included the Foundation in your will or estate plan, please notify us, and you will be recognized as a member of the Heritage Club and as one whose legacy will “make better men.”

Alpha-Illinois

Gene Lemon James Ross Jim Zumwalt Beta Ohio State Kirby Barrick

OmicronKentucky

Alpha LambdaNew Mexico State

David Case Glenn Stith

Paul Gutierrez

Pi-Oklahoma State

Alpha Pi-Arizona Len Richardson

Wayne Townsend

by Jenny Pratt

GammaPenn State

James Ferrell

Gibson P. Van Alstyne

by Dorothy Van Alstyne

Delta-Purdue

Duane Jacklin Doyle Jacklin

Erwin Clark LCJ Jost Don McFeeters

Tau-Michigan State

Alpha TauWestern Illinois

Maxwell A. Fisher

by Richard & Patricia Behrens

by Robert R & Ellen D. Burns

by Michael J. Danehy

by Nicholas A. Gilbert

by Jon & Linda Greenwood

by Roger W. & Helen W Hutchinson

by Jeffrey L. King

by Peter E & Elizabeth B Van de Water Norman D. Ramey

by Lester J. Schafer Dr. Richard Wahlstrom

by David B. Anderson Matthew Waters

by Dr. Richard Wahlstrom

Rick Carpenter William Beard Dick Feltner Mike Jackson Ted Priebe Gene Swackhamer

Epsilon-North Dakota State E. J. Brown Dale Carpentier Tom Gates Al Johnson Jerry Puppe

Eta-Iowa State

Fred Bahrenburg Michael Borel Scott Flynn Steve Hanson David Van Wert Robert Vasko Arlen Wonderlich

Theta-Missouri Zane Akins Lowell Mohler Lowell Newsom Daniel Prosser

Kappa-Nebraska

Ron Grapes Family William Schilling Dick Stephens Charlie Trauger

Nu-North Carolina State Tyler Warren

SigmaWashington State

Russ Mawby John Welser

Phi-California Davis John Kidd

Chi-Cal Poly Ralph Grossi Ole Meland

Omega-New Hampshire Everett Ryan

Alpha-Rho Vermont

Jeff Warner

Alpha PsiUW River Falls Bill Boehm Phil Josephson

Beta EtaVirginia Tech Jay Poole

Beta TauMississippi State Brad Garrison

Alpha-Beta Oregon State

Vince McElligott

Alpha-Delta Montana State Jim Driscoll

Alpha-Zeta Kansas State

Edwin Kerley Loren Kruse Warren Nichols Tim Rosenhagen Doug Weyer

Alpha-Theta Maryland Paul Weller

Alpha-Kappa Tennessee Knoxville Thomas White

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HONORING BETTERING THE

THE PAST,

FUTURE

THE NEWLY REMODELED CHAPTER ROOM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-RIVER FALLS – ALPHA PSI CHAPTER HOUSE IS A LIVING AND BREATHING MEMORIAL TO THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN CALLED HOME.

“It’s just that AGR had been such an important part of our lives, and we wanted to encourage young men to get involved in agriculture while recognizing those who have made Alpha Gamma Rho what it is today,”

28

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FALL 2015

by B rittany Statz, the author is a senior at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls and is engaged to Alpha Psi alum Samuel Olson.

People honor their departed loved ones

in many ways, shapes and forms. It’s common to see flowers placed on graves and babies named after those who have passed on before us, but naming entire rooms after pivotal people is a little less common.

However, for members and alumni of the Alpha Psi chapter of Alpha Gamma Rho at UW-River Falls, there is no tribute more fitting than doing just that. After making extensive renovations to their chapter room, the chapter chose to dedicate the newly refurbished room to deceased brothers, advisers and housemothers.

As Vice Noble Ruler of Activities David Gal-

lagher explained it, “We are able to conduct current business in a modern meeting room that also reminds us of those who have come before us to help make everything we have now possible. It is a hallowed hall within a hallowed hall.”

PAYING HOMAGE TO THOSE LOST

When one walks into the new chapter room at the Alpha Psi house, one can’t help but notice the plaques next to the door with pictures of all the brothers who have since passed away.

It gives the room a sense of safety, comfort and peace, as if the brothers on the plaque are

After making extensive renovations to their chapter room, the chapter chose to dedicate the newly refurbished room to deceased brothers, advisers and housemothers.

standing as guardian angels over the chapter room and the entire house. Since the Alpha Psi chapter was founded in 1968, twenty-six brothers have been called home to their final resting place. No matter the cause of death, their lives merit the utmost honor and respect by all of those whose lives have been — and continue to be — positively influenced by the existence of Alpha Gamma Rho. It all started in March 2012, after Jim Van Wychen made an offhand comment about the fraternity approaching its golden birthday and needing to do something to recognize departed brothers. Van Wychen’s words struck a chord with other Alpha Psi brothers, who agreed that it was due time to honor those who were no longer here on Earth, but lived on through the impact they left on the lives they touched. A proposal was brought forth to rename and dedicate the chapter room to deceased brothers, advisers and housemothers, as well as plaques containing the names of those recognized to be prominently displayed in the chapter room and kept up-to-date. It also just so happened that the chapter room at the house was in need of renovations. Thus, the two projects were merged together and the memorial project was born.

Van Wychen, along with Joe Waldo, Bill Boehm, Clyde Nelson, Mike Kawleski, Jack Ourada and those serving on the alumni board took it upon themselves to see this project through to fruition, with Boehm taking the helm.

As Boehm stated in a letter to brothers seeking help with the project, they had an opportunity to do something special by improving and maintaining the “heart” of the house while honoring the memory of friends and mentors that had passed. Waldo described Boehm’s leadership throughout that journey as “tenacious.”

All families of the deceased were invited to attend a luncheon and ceremony where the chapter room was dedicated to all of the Alpha Psi brothers, advisers, and house mothers who have passed.

The Alpha Psi chapter room was renovated and dedicated to deceased brothers of the chapter.

MAKING A DREAM COME TRUE

At the beginning of the project, it was thought that there were 22 departed brothers. However, as time went on (and more research was done) the total had unfortunately risen to 26. When asked what drove Boehm and the other alumni to make the memorial project a reality, Waldo spoke about the lasting impact that Alpha Gamma Rho had on them as individuals.

“It’s just that AGR had been such an important part of our lives, and we wanted to encourage young men to get involved in agriculture while recognizing those who have made Alpha Gamma Rho what it is today,” Waldo said. “For

us, it was a natural progression from 4-H and FFA, and it was a chance to associate with like-minded people who had the same goals and ambitions as we did.”

Waldo also went on to explain the emotional significance that the house has for not only current members, but alumni and their families – especially the deceased. For past and present brothers, it’s not only where they made lifelong friends and gained a new forever family – but also where many of them fell in love and planted the roots that made them the men and agriculturists they are today. “When alumni come back to the house, there are memories there.

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Plaques containing names of those recognized are displayed in the chapter room and kept up-to-date”

You don’t really have that with a dormitory,” said Waldo. “They are reminded of things they accomplished in college and the relationships they built when they come across composite pictures or see projects they did. The memorial project is a continuation of that.”

A drive to raise funds for the project was quickly established, with the bulk of the fundraising focus being placed on the first 300 pin numbers. Families of those who were deceased were also contacted. After three years of persistence by Boehm and company, 65 donations were collected reaching nearly $45,000.

Chapter room renovations began in January of 2015, nearly three years after Van Wychen fatefully stated the need for a proper homage to those who had breathed their last. No outside labor was needed; every bit of work that needed to be done was handled by Alpha Psi brothers, notably Keith Gunderson and Elliot Kann who took the lead. Waldo, with a hint of pride in his voice, assured that the memorial chapter room was hand-designed and hand-built by actives and alumni.

The memorial plaques were also a major focus of the entire project, and presented some unique issues; each plaque was to feature a picture of each brother in their early adult years, as their living brothers would remember

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them. However, some of those photographs were hard to find at the house, so families of the deceased were contacted for pictures of their loved ones during their college days.

Some noncomposites, such as state FFA officer photos and big brother pictures, made it on the plaque as well as composite pictures. A few composite pictures, particularly older ones, needed to be restored, so Kathy Helgeson, a media specialist at UWRF, personally handled this aspect of the plaque by restoring them at the university photo lab.

UNVEILING A VISION

The culmination of all efforts involved in making the chapter room a living and breathing memorial was a smashing success. The chapter room was dedicated to all deceased Alpha Gamma Rho-Alpha Psi brothers, advisers and housemothers during a special luncheon and ceremony on March 28, 2015. All families of the deceased were invited to attend the dedication, with 23 out of 26 families making the journey to River Falls for the event.

The sentimental value of this special day was not lost on active members of the fraternity.

Noble Ruler Josh Butler was deeply impacted by not just why, but how they dedicated it to members of the fraternity that had gone to

their eternal resting place.

Vice Noble Ruler of Operations Dylan Young said, “To me, it meant a lot. Seeing families that might not have ever been to the house and other brothers that may not have visited the house in a very long time was very humbling; I’m the 1,016th brother and their pins are much lower than mine. Seeing everyone, past and present, come together for the future truly showed what brotherhood meant.”

Waldo stressed the importance of keeping the memorial up to date as more brothers leave this world for the other side. “We plan to have a recognition ceremony every couple of years as we add more names to that wall,” he said.

Along with the plaque that puts a name and a face to a departed brother, there is a storybook in the chapter room that matches souls and personalities to each of those names and faces with a 1-page biography for each brother.

Those stories help to remind current brothers, and the rest of us, that it’s not about what you take when you leave this world behind you; it’s the legacies and memories you leave behind as well as the lives you touch. With 26 angels keeping watch over the heart of the Alpha Psi house it is truly, without a doubt, a hallowed hall within a hallowed hall.

Q&AGR

Q&AGR

LOREN KRUSE, KANSAS STATE IS THE FORMER DIRECTOR AND PRESIDENT OF THE AGR EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION. Loren Kruse was first initiated in 1966 into Alpha Zeta chapter at Kansas State University. Loren has been involved with Educational Foundation Board and continues to be involved with Alpha Gamma Rho by dedicating his time and money to the betterment of the Fraternity.

What does Alpha Gamma Rho mean to you?

Alpha Gamma Rho provides an experience for men passionate about agriculture to become everything that God has gifted them to be.

Why do you feel it is important to continue to invest in the Fraternity?

My Fraternity experience was significant in influencing my career success and other life choices. To continue to advance and expand agriculture we need to prepare more men with the AGR experience. While I can never fully repay AGR for the benefits accrued to me over a lifetime, I try anyway.

How has AGR impacted your post college life— both personally and professionally?

First, AGR equipped me as a better man, which is more important than all the technical skills in the world. Second, the AGR experience prepared me to set expectations and goals I never would have considered without AGR. Did you directly benefit from others volunteering and/or donating when you were an undergraduate? How?

“Showing up” is undervalued.

As an undergrad member I drew great encouragement from alumni who came home to AGR. I loved the stories and the passing on of what it means to be an AGR. I loved the new furniture alums funded! It wasn’t until I joined the board of the Educational Foundation of AGR that I understood the significance and impact of alumni financial support. As a national volunteer I came to fully appreciate the influence of AGR and AGRs in our global industry of agriculture.

Most of all, I came to admire and appreciate the steady stewardship and dedicated mentoring by local alumni in maintaining and growing stronger chapters. What I have never understood, however, is how any Brother would not want to give back something — money, time, knowledge, showing up — for the benefits received from the AGR experience.

What impact do you think your gift (time or money) has on the Fraternity as a whole? Individual brother?

I know that every gift and every hour given to AGR matters because I totally trust the hearts and vision of

the leaders of our Fraternity.

The AGR experience is a premium experience.

We never know which moments, which programs or which activities will pour extraordinary value into the lifetimes of our members.

Like the bumper crops of Joseph in the Bible when he managed crop production for the Pharaoh of Egypt, the ultimate harvested yield from gifts to AGR is “beyond measure.”

“We will never know which moments, which programs or which activities will pour extraordinary value into the lifetimes of our members.”

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The Last Pass

Get Motivated DID YOU KNOW THAT THE AGR HOME OFFICE OFFERS ALUMNI FACILITATED STRATEGIC PLANNING SESSIONS FOR UNDERGRADUATE CHAPTERS? Strategic planning sessions are a

perfect way to get your chapter moving in the right direction. These sessions, professionally facilitated by AGR Zane Akins, help your chapter get motivated and create goals that contribute to the successful future of Alpha Gamma Rho. Akins is a Theta alumnus who graduated with honors from the University of Missouri in 1962. He was Grand President, Chicago Alumni and Tri-State Breeders Man of the Year, National Pedigreed Livestock Council Distinguished Service Honoree, Hall Of Fame Inductee of his High School and listed in several Who’s Who Worldwide. Akins wants your chapter to improve and cares about the future of Alpha Gamma Rho and his brothers within it.

Akins’ strategy during the seminars is to engage, challenge, and keep everyone on track. He feels it is important to let the chapter discuss what they are interested in and have them record their decisions on what strategy and actions they want to follow.

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To best prepare your chapter for a Strategic Planning seminar, Zane recommends that those who are attending think about what possible changes would help move the chapter in the desired direction so they are prepared to discuss them. “Come with an open mind and prepare to listen to each other,” Akins suggests.

Akins had many National AGR Leadership roles including Grand President, National Volunteer Coordinator, Housing Resources Trust Trustee, and more.

He believes his national involvement with AGR motivated him to start the Strategic Planning Seminars. “I saw the need,” Akins said.

He introduced the strategic planning to the National Board when I was Grand President and also facilitated the National Leadership for the Century Two Plan. “Having conducted well over 100 of these for the chapters, I feel that I am helping with the education and success of my brothers and our chapters.”

There is no doubt Zane Akins has contributed to the success of many chapters and AGR brothers.

To schedule your AGR Strategic Planning Session with Zane Akins, contact Becky Haley 816-892-9200, ext. 17; becky@alphagammarho.org

Preparing for your AGR Strategic Planning Session hh Determine a date and two options for your planning session (ex. Friday evening through Saturday; Saturday through noon Sunday, weekdays noon to noon) hh Call the Home Office at (816) 891-9200 ext. 17 to schedule the dates for your planning session hh Identify an equal number of undergraduate leaders and alumni representatives (minimum of five each, with no maximum) hh Locate a meeting space other than the chapter house for the meeting. Home Office will send a list of audio/ video requirements for the chapter/alumni to provide. hh Home Office will arrange for the facilitator’s transportation. Chapter/ alumni board must provide room/board and local transportation. hh The cost for meals and meeting expenses if any, should be covered by the chapter/alumni board.

Our Roots

ALPHA GAMMA RHO SONG BOOK In the 1939 National Crescent, a story appeared under the byline of Tom Fraser, Oregon State, Chairman of the Songs Committee titled, “The Value of Alpha Gamma Rho Songs.”

“Alpha Gamma Rho songs are symbolic of our brotherhood. The songs of the fraternity have a definite purpose that can be very effective to the chapter with a minimum of effort.” Fraser wrote.

The book includes AGR toasts, victory songs, and songs just for fun. “The AGR’s Are Happy,” “Hail Demeter” and “AGR Dream Girl” are some of the songs included in the song books. There are different versions of the songs, including multiple different Sweetheart songs.

At his retirement in 1974, Manyard Coe, Minnesota, said, “Our happiest and most efficient chapters are those that sing together.”

Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity

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Join us for the Alpha Gamma Rho National Convention

Don’t➸ Miss Out! OMAHA, NEBRASKA

AUGUST 10-12, 2016

Omaha is Nebraska’s biggest city — full of lights, sports and great food.

The NCAA College World Series has been held in Omaha for more than 60 years and is known as the “Greatest Show on Dirt.” Among the “Top Ten” rated attractions in the city are the Henry Doorly Zoo and the Boys Town tour and museum. You can visit the Omaha Riverfront and stand in two states at once on the Bob Kerry Pedestrian Bridge, or visit the Old Market which is known to come alive at night. Start planning your trip to our National Convention on August 10-12, 2016.

Alpha Gamma Rho National Convention will be held at the Hilton in Omaha: 1001 Cass St, Omaha, NE 68102 Check out Omaha’s Blog, via the QR CODE, to stay up to date with the must-sees and to-dos of this city.

Photo Courtesy of the Omaha Convention & Visitors Bureau