Paying it forward: Brothers helping brothers to level up

When Allen Matthews joined the Nu Chapter of Alpha Gamma Rho at North Carolina State University, he had no idea how a chain of Brotherhood connections would change his life, and inspire him to pay it forward to change the lives of other Brothers.

Brother Matthews attended North Carolina State pursuing a degree in forestry. He joined AGR in 1994 and received his bachelor's degree in Forest Management in 1999.

Upon graduation, he worked on his father-in-law’s farm for about nine months and then went to work in the forestry industry. One day, he received a call from a Brother he had attended N.C. State with who told him about a guy looking for someone to work with him.

That guy was Brother Robert “Bob” Clinkscales. He was an AGR at the Theta Chapter of the University of Missouri. Brother Clinkscales moved his family to North Carolina in 1987. He worked for an institutional lender providing financing for farmland and timberland. In 2002, he retired, and the company asked him to stay on as independent contractor. Then in 2012, Brother Clinkscales decided he was ready to fully retire and concentrate on his passion of working with not-for-profit organizations. He took a chance on Brother Matthews and brought him to work with him to make a smooth transition into his full retirement.

"Bob mentored me for almost six or seven months," Brother Matthews said. "He's been a father figure to me. He's just a great person all around."

After months of working together, Brother Clinkscales retired and Brother Matthews took over. "I got to a point where I felt like I wanted to do something to show my appreciation to Bob," he said and recalled an earlier connection to an AGR Brother that made an impression.

"At North Carolina State Nu Chapter, we had a benefactor, Louis C. Smith who was influential in providing funds for our Chapter House. He gave a very generous amount,” Brother Matthews said. "I asked him why and he said, because of a Fraternity Brother, he was able to do what he did. He did well for himself and wanted to give back. I have always remembered that."

Because of that connection, Brother Matthews and his wife, April created the Robert "Bob" Clinkscales Endowment Fund which benefits Nu and Theta Brothers with scholarship awards.

"This is a perfect example of the famous Alpha Gamma Rho network," said Carol Johnson, Chief Development Officer for The Educational Foundation of Alpha Gamma Rho. "In the spirit of brothers connecting brothers, the Robert "Bob" Clinkscales Endowment Fund will continue to help brothers to level up in personal and professional ways."

Brother Matthews has continued to grow the business that Brother Clinkscales started. He still credits his success to his mentor. "I have what I have because of an AGR Brother," he said.