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
FOUNDATION DONOR: Bernie Lester
CHAPTER AND SCHOOL: Alpha Gamma, Florida
GIVING LEVEL: Grand President’s Society
Bernie Lester is an Alpha Gamma brother who was initiated at the University of Florida in 1958.
He has been giving back to the Fraternity since 1979. Lester has been a Grand President’s Society member since the society was created.
He has held many different National, Chapter, and committee offices — he served as the Foundation President from 1984-1986.
When asked what Alpha Gamma Rho means to him, Bernie spoke of the benefits received as both a collegiate and alumni member. “The organization assisted with my introduction to university life and provided leadership training 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 an awareness of the AGR chapter activities should be aware of the positive return associated with the time and money contributed to the organization.
“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
post-college life — personally and professionally. “Professionally, ‘doors are opened’ as a result of numerous AGR’s in leadership positions throughout the agricultural industry.”
Lester feels that the leadership seminars, both in and out of state, were beneficial during his undergraduate career. He feels there are many benefits undergraduates receive from others volunteering or donating, including internships and conferences with alumni in which undergraduates get to discuss “real world” information to complement the “book learning” and expectations regarding employment responsibilities.
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 had to leave the university. Bernie’s giving has helped provide academic assistance as well as assistance to maintain appropriate housing and dining facilities. These gifts assist the fraternity 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.
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.
“The organization assisted with my introduction to university life and provided leadership training for my professional career.”
FALL 2015 | VOLUME 105 | ISSUE 1 Published continuously since 1910
EDITOR
Dave Korbelik
COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR
Caitlin Stauffer
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
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
BUSINESS MANAGER
Philip Josephson
DESIGN & LAYOUT
Tria Designs
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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.
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
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
“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.
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.
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.
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.
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. I dentifying, anticipating, tracking and troubleshooting opportunities and problems such as pests associated with growing a crop.
3. I mproved understanding of hands on production
4. D elivering 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.
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!
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 sup -
Please visit our events page for more details: alphagammarho.org/events.
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
Feb. 19-20, 2016
Atlanta, Ga.
LEADERSHIP SEMINAR
Feb. 26-27, 2016
Denver, Colo.
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!”
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.
@alphagammarhohq
@alphagammarho
Alpha Gamma Rho: Social/Professional Ag, Food, Fiber, & Life Sci. Fraternity
Alpha Gamma Rho Alumni Network
Alpha Gamma Rho
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.
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.
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.
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?
Making Better Men means many different things.
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
young men can get into meaningful leadership tracks right out of the gates.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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
Georgia
Michael T. Hilton, 1981
William L. Lanier, 1947
Illinois
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
Kansas State
Richard E. Hanson, 1948
Kurt R. Sulzman, 1992
Kentucky
James D. Kemp, 1947
Maryland
Harold H. Thompson, 1944
Massachusetts
James R. Clapp, 1954
Michigan State
Edward. R. Panzner, 1946
Minnesota
Stuart V. Immer, 1957
Michael C. Lindquist, 1975
Missouri
Victor Schweizer, 1961
Nelson G. Trickey, 1947
Montana
David B. Ferguson, 1947
Thomas M. Quinn, 1941
Howard V. Shearer, 1942
Donald T. Torell, 1946
Nebraska
Gerald C. Chmelka, 1940
William S. Gibson, 1947
New Hampshire
Donald E. Gould, 1951
Leslie J. Ward, 1936
New Mexico
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
Oregon
Cayle Henry Krebs, 2003
Penn State
Torrence W. Dohl, 1948
Wallace H. Dunlap, 1938
Kenneth H. Maddy, 1941
Russell R. Till, 1963
Purdue
Lowell S. Hardin, 1936
Roger M. Ide, 1948
W. Wayne Townsend, 1948
Tennessee-Knoxville
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
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
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.
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
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.
S&S: How does AGR differ from other fraternities because of its dual focus on social and professional development?
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
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.
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
add to its features so that it reflects the type of professional enterprise tool that is in use in the business world today.
S&S: What are the challenges for fraternities and the fraternity system ahead?
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
in implementing policies and practices that reduce safety risks. Simply managing risk is no longer acceptable, risk must be reduced!
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.
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.
“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.”
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
In Memory of AGR Sweetheart Chelsey Marie Henkenius: October 6th, 1992- December 27th, 2014
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.
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 StateSuccessful 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
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-
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.
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 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.
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.
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
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
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!
Each of these six attributes share one common theme: Successful agriculturists are growers.
Call timeout when needed, get help, and make deliberate changes that can lead to an improved outcome for your situation or career.
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.
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!”
“I thought it a great experience for 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. I think the biggest thing we got out of it was how we can improve overall on every aspect of the house.”
“I had a great time networking with everyone last year so I wanted to go again. Also, 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)!”
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
Louisiana State, Alpha Epsilon
All Chapters have an opportunity to be recognized for their excellence.
Chapters who achieve all of the requirements for six of the seven categories below are recognized as a Gold Chapter.
Chapters who achieve all of the requirements for four of the seven categories below are recognized as a Green Chapter.
1 Academic Excellence
2 Nurture-Lifelong Membership Development
3 . A lumni Relations
4 Chapter Crescents
5 . Grow—Recruitment
6 Chapter Web Site
7. Promise & Values
Kansas State, Alpha Zeta
Georgia, Alpha Eta
Maryland, Alpha Theta
Tennessee-Knoxville, Alpha Kappa
Tennessee-Martin, Alpha Upsilon
Wisconsin-River Falls, Alpha Psi
Wisconsin-Platteville, Beta Gamma
GREEN CHAPTER STATUS
North Carolina State, Nu
Oklahoma State, Pi
Cal Poly State, Chi
Arkansas, Alpha Iota
Arizona, Alpha Pi
South Dakota State, Alpha Phi
Western Kentucky, Alpha Chi
The Recruitment award goes to the top three chapters that have implemented an effective, year round recruitment program.
HIGHEST HONOR: Kansas State, Alpha Zeta
HIGH HONOR: North Dakota State, Epsilon
HONORABLE MENTION: Illinois, Alpha
Membership Development
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.
HIGHEST HONOR: 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
Given to the top three chapters who continually foster strong alumni involvement and leadership both on and off campus throughout the year.
HIGHEST HONOR:
Tennessee-Martin, Alpha Upsilon
HIGH HONOR: Wisconsin-River Falls, Alpha Psi
HONORABLE MENTION: Kansas State, Alpha Zeta
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
HIGH HONOR: Iowa State, Eta
HONORABLE MENTION: Oklahoma State, Pi
Recognizes Alumni Corporations that have demonstrated hard work and continued success for their chapter’s undergraduate membership.
HIGHEST HONOR: Missouri, Theta
HIGH HONOR: Georgia, Alpha Eta
HONORABLE MENTION: Tennessee-Martin, Alpha Upsilon
Chapter Website
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.
HIGHEST HONOR: Kansas State, Alpha Zeta
HIGH HONOR: Oklahoma State, Pi
HONORABLE MENTION: Nebraska, Kappa
Best Crescent Series
HIGHEST HONOR: Wisconsin-Madison , Iota
HIGH HONOR: Kansas State, Alpha Zeta
HONORABLE MENTION: North Dakota State, Epsilon
Best Crescent: Single Issue
HIGHEST HONOR: Kansas State, Alpha Zeta
HIGH HONOR: Wisconsin-Madison , Iota
HONORABLE MENTION: Georgia, Alpha Eta
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.
HIGHEST HONOR: Monica Voiles, Wisconsin-River Falls, Alpha Psi
HIGH HONOR: BJ Gardner, Michigan State, Tau
HONORABLE MENTION: Lou Walker, Oklahoma State, Pi
Given to the top three Housemothers that consistently demonstrate superior management of the chapter facilities and the chapter as a whole.
HIGHEST HONOR: Monica Voiles, Wisconsin- River Falls, Alpha Psi
HIGH HONOR: BJ Gardner, Michigan State, Tau
HONORABLE MENTION: Diane Pinneke, Iowa State, Eta
Housemother Service
5th year
Mary Sunderman B eta Omega Adviser Service
5 year
Billy Cole Western Kentucky
Stephen King Western Kentucky
Noble Jackson A rizona
Shane Kitchens M ississippi State
Mark Metcalf O hio State
Paul Willis A braham Baldwin
10 year
James Graham W isconsin-River
David Heimerdinger WisconsinPlatteville
James Kliebenstein I owa State Falls
Phill McCallon M urray State
Joshua Roe K ansas State
15 year
Douglas Gardner M aine
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.
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.
h Trent Nagel, Purdue, Delta
h Shayne Wiese, Iowa State, Eta
h Thomas Larson, Wisc.-Madison, Iota
h 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.
h Logan Lafrenz, Iowa State, Eta
Robert L. Oehrtman Scholarship Fund
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.
h Zachary Knipp, Missouri, Theta
Two scholarships are presented to outstanding undergraduates that excel in all areas of involvement.
h Matthew Kerns, Iowa State, Eta
h Weston Quintrell, Georgia, Alpha Eta
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.
h Trent Nagel, Purdue, Delta
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.
h 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.
h Samuel Koeshall, Tennessee-Knoxville, Alpha Kappa
J. Wayne Rehn Scholarship
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.
h Alexander Mickna, Illinois, Alpha
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
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.
h 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.
h 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.
h 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.
h Christian Thurwanger, Maryland, Alpha Theta
h Hammons Hepner, Oklahoma State, Pi
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.
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
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
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.
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
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
$1,904– $4,999
XI-AUBURN
Samuel Jones
SIGMA-WASHINGTON STATE
Doyle Jacklin
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
$1,000-$1,903
KAPPA-NEBRASKA
Gregory R. Mullins
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.
ALPHA-ILLINOIS
Brett Bayston
Joseph Bicknell
Edward Dollinger
David Hollinrake
Thad Kuhfuss
Dave Maurer
Wilbur Nelson
Lyle Orwig
David Schick
BETA-OHIO STATE
David Ames
Kirby Barrick
Dennis Fox
Dwight Steen
Karl Warnke
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
EPSILONNORTH DAKOTA STATE
Dale Anderson
Al Johnson
ZETA-CORNELL
Don Calhoun
Timothy Dayka
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
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 DELTAMONTANA STATE
Jim Driscoll
ALPHA ZETA-KANSAS STATE
Donald Griffiths
Loren Kruse
Randy Stoecker
ALPHA THETA-MARYLAND
Paul Weller
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
by John L Boedeker by Jon & Christine
by Marcia A Boedeker by Wilfred & Marian
by Tim Boedeker by Nina Boling by Paul & Jodi
by Yvonne Gale
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
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
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
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
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
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
Wayne Townsend by Jenny Pratt
Gibson P. Van Alstyne by Dorothy Van Alstyne
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
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
Gamma-
Penn State
Rick Carpenter
Delta-Purdue
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
OmicronKentucky
David Case
Glenn Stith
Pi-Oklahoma State
James Ferrell
SigmaWashington State
Duane Jacklin
Doyle Jacklin
Tau-Michigan State
Russ Mawby
John Welser
Phi-California
Davis
John Kidd
Chi-Cal Poly
Ralph Grossi
Ole Meland
Omega-New Hampshire
Everett Ryan
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
Alpha LambdaNew Mexico State
Paul Gutierrez
Alpha Pi-Arizona
Len Richardson
Alpha-Rho
Vermont
Erwin Clark
LCJ Jost
Don McFeeters
Alpha TauWestern Illinois
Jeff Warner
Alpha PsiUW River Falls
Bill Boehm
Phil Josephson
Beta EtaVirginia Tech
Jay Poole
Beta TauMississippi State
Brad Garrison
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.
by
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.”
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
“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,”Brittany Statz, the author is a senior at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls and is engaged to Alpha Psi alum Samuel Olson.
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.”
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.
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
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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
h Determine a date and two options for your planning session (ex. Friday evening through Saturday; Saturday through noon Sunday, weekdays noon to noon)
h Call the Home Office at (816) 891-9200 ext. 17 to schedule the dates for your planning session
h Identify an equal number of undergraduate leaders and alumni representatives (minimum of five each, with no maximum)
h 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.
h Home Office will arrange for the facilitator’s transportation. Chapter/ alumni board must provide room/board and local transportation.
h The cost for meals and meeting expenses if any, should be covered by the chapter/alumni board.
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.”
