In Earnest
Why I Give:
“AGR
develops skills and abilities as well as
any other organization
on a college campus.”
FOUNDATION DONOR: K irby Barrick
CHAPTER AND SCHOOL: B eta (Ohio State)
LIFETIME GIVING LEVEL: O rder of the Harvest
“Four years and a lifetime” was what Brother Kirby Barrick of Beta Chapter at Ohio State University read in his recruitment brochure in 1967, a phrase he would later adopt as Noble Ruler.
Brother Barrick has been a lifetime donor to Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity in many ways. He has been a volunteer for the Fraternity since 1971, following his graduation from Ohio State and obtaining his bachelors. He served as Grand President from 1996-1998 and on the Educational Foundation Board of Directors from 2010-2018. Brother Barrick also served on a variety of other committees, campaign cabinets and taskforces on the local and national level between 1971 and 2024.
He said his continued involvement and religious donation practices come from his strong principle that if you believe in something, you should support it.
“Getting a degree, is very, very important, and I preach that a lot, but there are other skills and abilities to be developed and enhanced,” Brother
Barrick said. “An organization called Alpha Gamma Rho does that as well as any other organization on a college campus that I’ve worked with.”
Brother Barrick has taught agriculture education and served as an administrator at Ohio State University. He was also Chapter Adviser for seven years, taught and was Associate Dean at the University of Illinois and was Dean at the University of Florida from which he retired. In total, he worked in the agriculture education field for 46 years.
During his time on those campuses, as well as his time spent volunteering for the Fraternity, he could see the tangible impact Alpha Gamma Rho had on young men at those universities. This is why Brother Barrick continues supporting the Fraternity and greatly focuses on three things that he finds vital for the continuation of AGR.
One is AGRconnect. He helped establish the fund and helped plan the creation of AGRconnect for members
YOUR PURPOSEFUL MISSION
to share ideas, maintain important chapter documents and a variety of other tools. The second is the Adviser Development Fund. Brother Barrick explained since Noble Rulers change every year, it is the job of the Adviser to provide consistency for the chapter.
“We have better chapters when we have better Chapter Advisers” he said.
Lastly, he created the Kirby Barrick Agriculture Education Scholarship, which offers $1000 to AGR members who are enrolled in an agricultural education program. This is to support young undergraduates and through them, hopefully creating a dedicated AGR alumnus and possibly a volunteer for the Fraternity.
Brother Barrick continues to support Alpha Gamma Rho because of the great experiences he had and continues to have. He sees the Fraternity making a difference in young men’s lives and sees improvement on every level of the Fraternity. This is why he supports what he believes believes in, which is Making Better Men
The mission of The Educational Foundation of Alpha Gamma Rho is to drive Alpha Gamma Rho’s Purpose of Making Better Men . YOUR contributions support scholarships, leadership development training and experiences, opportunities to make life-long connections and more. Every gift to the Foundation, YOUR Foundation, is an investment in the future and makes an impact in the lives of worthy brothers. We thank you for entrusting YOUR Foundation with YOUR gift. Make a gift today at alphagammarho.org/donate.
Departments
Sickle & Sheaf
FALL 2024 | VOLUME 112 | ISSUE 2 Published continuously since 1910
EDITOR
Madeline Mapes
ASSISTANT EDITOR
Matt Olson
CONTRIBUTING
EDITORS
Grant Bargfrede, Carol Johnson Ed.D, Becky Haley, Amanda Horvat Ph.D, Rex Martin, Jeremy Zweiacker
BUSINESS MANAGER
Rex Martin
DESIGN & LAYOUT
Tria Designs, Inc.
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Cultivating Futures
AND 20 MILLION REASONS TO CELEBRATE
BROTHERS GATHERED FROM ACROSS the nation for Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity’s 68th Biennial National Convention August 1-3 in Sacramento, California. The event was a huge success with more than 400 attendees, a robust Career Fair, the celebration of the record-breaking Local Chapter Excellence Capital Campaign Auction, and more.
Members and their families began to arrive Wednesday night and early Thursday morning. The weekend consisted of various business meetings, educational breakout sessions, the Silent Auction, the Career Fair and social gatherings.
The Career Fair was held Friday, August 2. The event consisted of 18 booths sponsored by local and national agriculture industries. AGR brothers took this opportunity to network, and share ideas and experiences in their industry.
That same day, the Fraternity held a celebration for the success it has had with the Local Chapter Excellence Capital Campaign. The campaign raised more than $20 million,an historical record thanks to donors and volunteers across the nation. Brother Glenn Stith (Omicron–Kentucky) Chairman of the Educational Foundation, CEO Rex Martin, and Chief Development Officer Carol Johnson Ed.D, spoke about the hard work and dedication they and AGR members everywhere went through to make this milestone the largest in AGR’s history.
“Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity and The Educational Foundation of Alpha Gamma Rho have never been more united,” Brother Rex Martin said. “Between the Local Chapter Excellence Capital Campaign,
Fraternity brothers celebrated the success of the Local Chapter Excellence Capital Campaign at the 68th National Convention.
the Top Leaders Institutes and seeing the individuals who have pushed to make these dreams a reality, I can see the future of AGR and our chapters being shaped into something great.”
The Fraternity also gave out a variety of awards and accolades to members, as well as approved new board members. Brother Greg Nickerson, ended his term as Grand President and Brother Jay Vroom was elected the next Grand President. Brother John Demerly and Brother Todd Winters, were both elected to the National Board. Brother Jim Garrison joined the Housing Resources Board of Trustees.
That evening, the Fraternity held the Hall of Fame Banquet where several members were inducted into the AGR Hall of Fame. Brother Rick Carpenter (Gamma–Penn State) and Brother Neil Fruechte (Lambda–Minnesota) were both inducted.
The Fraternity also announced the runner up and winner of the Sleeter Bull and Maynard H. Coe awards. Alpha Zeta Chapter at Kansas State was the runner up for the Maynard H. Coe Award and Alpha Upsilon Chapter TennesseeMartin was the winner. The runner up for the Sleeter Bull Award was Alpha Sigma, Fresno State and the winner was Alpha Iota Chapter at the University of Arkansas.
The Hall of Fame Fame Dinner concluded with an auction that benefits the Educational Foundation’s annual Loyalty Fund, which raised $155,000, another fundraising record for the organization. The auction items included short vacation packages, a custom Gucci bag with AGR embossed on the straps and other items that allow brothers to show off their Fraternal pride.
Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity congratulates everyone on their accomplishments and hard work to receive these recognitions and new positions. It is their dedication that will keep the Fraternity going for generations to come.
The National Fraternity also recognizes the many hours that the Convention Committee and the staff at the Home Office put in to make this event an amazing experience for all members in attendance. Alpha Gamma Rho looks forward to the next Convention in 2026 in Louisville, Kentucky.
Corporate Partners
AGR is committed to offering opportunities to connect for members and corporations in the dynamic global agriculture and food industries. Thank you to our Corporate Partners for your support of our Purpose!
Want to see your company added to our list? Visit alphagammarho.org/ corporate-partners for information on how to become a Corporate Partner.
Texas Wildfires: A United Front
NNO ONE CAN FATHOM THE FEELING THAT WASHES OVER someone when they are forced out of their home. Then when they return, very little to nothing is left standing. Thousands of people in Texas have been affected by the wildfires that have ravaged the land and left many with nothing, including some brothers of Alpha Gamma Rho. Often, unfortunate events lead to a kind of unity that is impossible to recreate day-to-day. Three AGR chapters from Texas including West Texas A&M Colony, Beta Xi Chapter at Texas Tech and Beta Nu Chapter at Texas A&M, have all taken steps to aid those who have been devastated by the wildfires.
West Texas A&M Colony held a ‘Fill the Trailer’ event during a tailgate party Saturday, March 2, to receive donations. The colony took donation of nonperishables — clothing, hygiene products, and bottles of water. Brother Tres Pennington helped coordinate the donation drive and was amazed with the turnout they saw.
“We sat out at the tailgate from about 10:45 on Saturday morning to about three o'clock that afternoon and collected hundreds and hundreds of donations,” Brother Pennington said.
He explained the colony worked with almost every Greek organization on campus throughout the entire process. On Saturday, Omega Delta Phi’s West Texas A&M Chapter helped gather donations while other Greek organizations provided donations to fill the trailer that was provided by the University’s Department of Agriculture Sciences.
Sunday, West Texas A&M Colony along with several other fraternities and sororities spent the day organizing all the donations, including sorting the clothes by gender and sizes.
“It was very heartwarming to see all of the groups come together to be able to help with the event and put their effort toward assisting those in need,” Brother Pennington said.
He noted that the amount of donations received filled an entire
lecture hall when they were sorting. The trailer borrowed from the Department of Agriculture was a 24-foot trailer and was filled to the brim.
Once all the donations were organized in the trailer, West Texas A&M Colony, with the assistance of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service’s Disaster Assessment & Recovery Unit, set out with a University minivan along the Texas Panhandle and dropped donations at four different locations including, Pampa, Fritch, Borger and Miami, Texas, the following Monday.
“It was much more than we were expecting and how quickly the event came together... but it was very heartwarming to see everyone pull together to be able to help those in need.”
—BROTHER PENNINGTON
Brother Pennington said some of the towns, such as Borger, were larger distribution locations, which means the donations gathered by the West Texas A&M Colony went out to other areas that they may not have been able to reach alone.
Many AGR brothers and their families in Texas have been affected by the wildfires; some have lost almost everything. Brother Pennington said the Colony stayed in contact with those relatives and used them as a grapevine to see who needed the Colony’s help on their farms or ranches.
He also said the following Tuesday, several brothers and himself attended a meeting in Pampa to organize volunteers and
aid for those in need.
The same weekend as West Texas A&M’s efforts to ‘Fill the Trailer’, Beta Xi Chapter at Texas Tech University also stepped up to help victims of the wildfires by providing hot meals to community members of Canadian, Texas and the local volunteer fire department. Brother Matthew White, Noble Ruler of the Beta Xi Chapter, said many of the chapter brothers have family and friends who have been affected by the wildfires, sparking the idea to aid those in need.
“We hauled our trailer smoker to Canadian as soon as we could and set up in front of the Canadian volunteer fire department,” Matthew said. “I think the total count of tacos cooked was a little bit under 2,000.”
Brother White said the chapter contacted some local businesses in hopes of gaining support for their plans to gather supplies to provide food for families and livestock. Rowdy Feeds, owned by a father of two AGR brothers, provided hay and other food for livestock. Raider Red Meats donated roughly 300 pounds of sausage and ribeye trimmings for the chapter to cook.
He also noted that the chapter ended up gathering 8,000 pounds of hay donated from Rowdy Feeds. The chapter purchased roughly 3 tons of range cubes and 300 pounds of mineral in addition to the donated meat.
Brother Zach Matthews, an alumnus from the Beta Nu Chapter at Texas A&M University, connected with the Beta Xi Chapter and assisted them with donations, coordinating their efforts and helping them haul all of the gathered supplies. He also coordinated distribution efforts to get hay and feed from the Beta Xi Chapter to the smaller farmers and ranchers in the area who may have been overlooked by some of the larger relief efforts.
The chapter drove roughly three and a half hours one way
from Lubbock to Canadian. Another alumnus, Brother Jake Byars of Beta Xi Chapter, met the chapter half-way and helped the brothers navigate to Canadian since there were road closures from the fires.
Brother White said the chapter left around 5:30 a.m. and spent the whole day in Canadian either cooking or distributing supplies. He said they had a little food left over that they left with the fire department along with a couple slats of drinks for the fire fighters that the chapter had purchased.
“We saw the tragedy that struck the Smokehouse Creek fires ... and so we brainstormed what would be the best way to support victims of those fires.”
—BROTHER JANEK
Since going to Canadian, the Beta Xi Chapter started a donations link to gather funds to help supplement some of the money they used to purchase the materials as well as the drinks they purchased for the first responders.
Beta Nu Chapter at Texas A&M also came up with a plan and partnered with the Sigma Alpha Sorority chapter on their campus to raise funds for the Smokehouse Creek Fires, which were donated to the STAR Fund (State of Texas Agriculture Relief Fund).
Brother Reese Janek, the Noble Ruler of Beta Nu Chapter, said he and his girlfriend, Grace Price, who is the secretary for Sigma Alpha’s Texas A&M chapter, both knew people who had been affected by the Smokehouse Creek fires and wanted to do something that could help.
The STAR Fund is a disaster relief fund centered around aiding farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses in covering costs to repair fencing, restoring operations, and covering other agricultural disaster relief.
Beta Nu Chapter and Sigma Alpha raised $1,800 that was already donated to the STAR Fund. Brother Janek said there are still some donations that have trickled in after their initial donation.
Reese said the chapter was able to utilize their College of Agriculture and Life Sciences’ email newsletter to spread the word about how to donate. He said they also posted the link
on social media, shared it with family and shared it on campus as well.
Through the smoke, Alpha Gamma Rho’s Texas Chapters were a glimmer of hope, along with the many first responders and volunteers who assisted those in need during the Texas wildfires where nearly 1.1 million acres were consumed by March 16, 2024.
Beta Nu, Texas A&M; Beta Xi, Texas Tech and the West Texas A&M Colony all made great efforts, donating time and money to support local communities affected by the 2024 Texas wildfires.
Digitizing History
HISTORICAL PRESERVATION PARTNERSHIP ANNOUNCED
ALPHA GAMMA RHO IS EXCITED TO announce the digital preservation partnership with HistoryIT to create a digital museum of AGR’s historical collections.
The National Fraternity has worked with HistoryIT to create a way for members to connect with their Fraternity like never before.
“This digital museum will offer members an opportunity to view the National Fraternity’s history from its creation to present day without having to travel to Kansas City to see it,” CEO Rex Martin said.
Kristen Gwinn-Becker, Founder and CEO of HistoryIT explained the thorough process the company used to archive AGR’s collection.
Becker said HistoryIT calculated that AGR had more than 120 years worth of history stored with the Home Office. With a fully trained team, it would take 24,000 hours to digitally preserve all of the items. HistoryIT has broken up this immense project into nine potential phases over the course of 3-5 years, which started in 2022.
The digital museum includes an assortment of items from chapter photos, member profiles, previous editions of the Sickle & Sheaf magazine, to objects owned by prominent members of the Fraternity.
“Historical materials are key to understanding our shared past and sharing stories that create connections across generations,” Becker said.
She said the two key components to
creating this digital home for historical items are preservation and access. HistoryIT’s team uses precise lighting, color levels and more to ensure they capture the authenticity of each item before adding it to the digital library.
HistoryIT has even made items searchable with key words through the database of items. Becker said the descriptive words and tags created for the items are specific to AGR and written so that they are easy to search. She said her organization has worked with AGR to create curated experiences including member profiles, timelines and more.
Becker said HistoryIT preserved approximately 400 historical items in its initial sample of AGR’s archive. She noted these items are only what’s stored with AGR’s Home Office and HistoryIT estimates that 85% of the Fraternity’s history resides with the individual chapters across the nation.
Becker said the importance of a project like this is safeguarding the items that are critical to understanding the legacy and impact of AGR so that future generations may access them.
Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity is working to set up funding in order to continue to work with HistoryIT to expand the digital museum. Those who would like to donate to the digital museum project can contact the AGR Home Office for more information.
“This is just the beginning of a larger venture... Being able to preserve AGR’s history at the national level will open up many opportunities for members to learn about AGR at the national level and even about their own chapter.”
— GRANT BARGFREDE, SENIOR DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
MEMBERS CAN ACCESS THE DIGITAL ARCHIVES USING THE QR CODE, OR BY VISITING ALPHAGAMMARHO. HISTORYIT.COM.
TAU CHAPTER AT MICHIGAN State has supported Agrability for several years, raising funds through their annual Beef Preview Show and Hog Roast. Brother Matthew Osterander, the committee chair for the Beef Preview Show said this year, the chapter raised $34,000, a record of amount raised by their show.
“We couldn’t believe it,” Brother Osterander said.
“It means everything to us. You’re taking care of men who could either be your grandpa, your dad, your uncle. You always want to see them keep on farming.”
—BROTHER OSTERANDER
Record-Breaking Agrability Donation
TAU CHAPTER'S ANNUAL PREVIEW SHOW AND HOG ROAST RAISES A RECORD $34,000
“We all just kept running the numbers over and over.
I think I ran the numbers for a week before I even s tarted telling the guys in the chapter how much we raised.”
B rother Osterander said they raise the funds through sponsorships at the show as well as showing fees for participants. Sponsors were offered different packages to represent their business at the event. He also said there was a small increase in the overall attendance and the chapter made it a point to cut down some of their costs, all of which contributed to their record-breaking donation.
He explained that the Beef Preview Show held in February each year raises most of the money and the Hog Roast in the fall does raise a small portion of money donated, but this year the $34,000 came strictly from the beef show, proving
Brother Osterander said their beef show is the largest philanthropic event on campus and is among one of the largest beef shows in the state. This year the beef show consisted of 70 sponsors, 420 exhibitors
The beef show is the largest philanthropic event on campus and is among one of the largest in the state. This year consisted of 70 sponsors, 420 exhibitors and 527 animals.
and 527 animals.
He said being able to put on an event like this is a lot of hard work and dedication. The chapter’s main priority is to always make sure
or in attendance is comfortable and having an enjoyable time, but supporting Agrability is also high up in their priorities.
The support that Agrability provides to disabled farmers hits home for Tau Chapter.
He even touched on when he and his current AGR brothers get older, having an organization like Agrability would be life changing at those ages, or if challenges posed from an injury or a disability come up as time goes on.
Brother Osterander said being able to work with an organization that supports farmers has been very special to the whole chapter.
He said next year, the chapter hopes to put on a bigger show and wants to set the bar higher for funds collected so they can set a new record next year. He said he will be stepping down as chairman since it will be his senior year, but he is excited to see what the younger AGR brothers in the chapter have in store for the next Beef Preview event.
Recruit
Number of Corporate Partners and Sponsors who participated in this past National Convention’s Career Fair
Educate
Number of increased initiations compared to last year.
Number of attendees who committed their time to attend the National Convention this summer in Sacramento.
The Career Fair is an opportunity for brothers to network, and find internships and careers. Many members take advantage of this event at Convention every two years.
National Conventions are a great time to interact with brothers across the country.The next National Convention will be in 2026 in Louisville, Kentucky.
As of November 4, 2024, there are 868 initiations, whereas last year there was 754. New members can use AGRconnect to learn more about their fraternity, their chapter and more.
Recognize
Number of chapters recognized through this year’s Fraternal Excellence Awards
See this year's Fraternal Excellence Award winners on pages 21 and 22 of this issue.
Making Better Men
TThe Educational Foundation of Alpha Gamma Rho set out on an ambitious mission to help fund a premiere leadership development experience with the ultimate goal of Making Better Men and equipping members to be the nation's future leaders of a broader and better agriculture. Through the Local Chapter Excellence Capital Campaign, AGR made a vision become a reality by providing world-class training for chapter leadership teams.
Local Chapter Excellence is not just a program, but a philosophy that by providing training for staff, volunteers and chapter leadership with top-tier learning experiences that every chapter's leadership team could succeed in their endeavors. The driving force behind the Local Chapter Excellence Capital Campaign was the belief that strong chapter leaders are required to build strong chapters.
The campaign’s original goal was $15 million — the largest campaign in the history of the Fraternity. With the support of donors all across the nation, the National Fraternity raised $20 million, and the contributions continue to roll in.
The $20 million raised through this campaign marks a monumental milestone in AGR’s history. What once seemed unreachable, was not only met but exceeded, thanks to the tireless efforts of the Fraternity’s members, alumni and supporters.
BREAKING DOWN THE LOCAL CHAPTER EXCELLENCE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
The idea of the Local Chapter Excellence Capital Campaign came from the belief that chapters could achieve excellence with tailored programs to train staff, volunteers and chapter leaders. These programs and initiatives were created for the specific needs of each chapter that would allow them to create plans that would extend beyond the Noble Ruler's time in office. When local chapters are strong, stable and focused on preparing members to be the best they can be, our brothers are surrounded with the influences that encourage individual endeavor, resourcefulness and aggressive effort. They strive to achieve personal excellence and are inspired to achieve chapter excellence on their campuses.
One of the key programs created by the Capital Campaign is Top Leaders Institute. This weekendlong experience immerses chapter officers, Chapter Advisers, alumni, House Directors and Housemothers, in strategic planning to develop a plan for an individual chapter’s long-term success.
Brother Colin Boyd, Beta Omega Chapter (Missouri State) said he has attended two Top Leaders Institutes in Kansas City.
"Top Leaders Institute has been a catalyst for our chapter's growth," Brother Boyd said. "It's where we've bounced ideas, formed new relationships, and gained a deeper appreciation for the crucial role our Home Office plays in our development.”
Funding from the campaign supports training for the leadership of each chapter and works to minimize the impact of annual officer turnover by establishing benchmarks with strategic planning for continual progress through the Top Leaders Institute.
In addition to the Institute, the campaign is working to support other critical areas including scholarships, educational resources, and infrastructure improvements including training and support for AGR’s Educational Leadership Consultants, Regional Vice Presidents, Home Office staff and other volunteers. These investments will enhance the Fraternity’s ability to provide valuable support to local chapters.
EARLY WINS FROM TOP LEADERS INSTITUTE
As of spring 2024, the Top Leaders Institute has already yielded an impressive impact. The program was rolled out nationwide across all chapters, and more than 1000 attendees participated in Top Leaders Institute. All chapters are slated to attend in 2025 across six locations: Atlanta, Georgia; Dallas, Texas; Chicago, Illinois; Reno, Nevada; Kansas City, Missouri and Albany, New York.
In a post-institute survey, participants confidently responded that they felt Top Leaders Institute challenged them to become a strong leader.
“Top Leaders Institute was hands down the most beneficial resource for me when I transitioned into my executive team role within my chapter,” Brother
Funding from the campaign supports training for the leadership of each chapter and works to minimize the impact of annual officer turnover by establishing benchmarks through strategic planning for continued progress through the Top Leaders Institute.
Above: More than $20 million was raised for the Local Chapter Excellence Capital Campaign thanks to the many donors and volunteers who were inspired by the vision.
Justin Eddy of Theta Chapter, University of Missouri, said. “Being able to interact and discuss important matters with brothers in the same position was useful when I was thinking about what my chapter wanted to accomplish in the coming years.”
KEEPING MOMENTUM WITH LOCAL CHAPTER EXCELLENCE
To continue the momentum of the success already seen with Top Leaders Institute, the next phase of the development plan will focus on creating strategic plans with each chapter. These strategic plans are an essential foundation for helping chapters to see continual growth and improvement. The goal is to help take the experience of Top Leaders Institute and assist chapters in building strong leadership. Progress is already underway as the facilitators for these strategic planning sessions have been trained and are making plans to assist all chapters in developing their chapterspecific strategic plans over the next 2-3 years.
THE MOTIVATION BEHIND THE CAMPAIGN
See when and where
The decision to launch this capital campaign was rooted in AGR’s long-standing commitment to leadership and excellence. It all began with Fraternity leadership, the National Board of Directors and the Educational Foundation asking itself, “What are the greatest needs to sustain and improve our chapters in delivering on our mission of Making Better Men?”
Recognizing the evolving needs of its members and the challenges facing fraternal communities, the Educational Foundation Board commissioned a survey of more than 1,200 alumni, collegiate members and Advisers. The feedback indicated that training and development of local chapter leadership was the most critical need.
To help figure out the next steps, a joint task force of Fraternity leadership including Board members of both the Fraternity and Educational Foundation identified the core qualities and traits that formed the Standards of Excellence that all chapters are asked to strive for and a
plan for how to help chapters achieve them. This plan included launching Top Leaders Institute to bring the best training available, and adding more Educational Leadership Consultants to the Home Office staff to support local chapters and volunteers.
The plan was to utilize the vision, effort and resources of the entire fraternity rather than a chapter trying to succeed on their own.
The Educational Foundation sought to ensure this plan could come to life — a plan to provide top-tier leadership training and support for its chapters. The campaign was not just about raising funds but about truly supporting local chapters in their pursuit of excellence.
At the 2024 AGR National Convention in Sacramento, California, Brother Glenn Stith, Chairman of the Educational Foundation, emphasized the role of the Fraternity is not about consuming resources of the local chapters but about repositioning the national organization as a stepping stone to local chapters, providing them with the resources and support they need to succeed.
“The challenge was communicating the vision and components of the strategic plan so that alumni and supporters would realize the true intention was to leverage a national effort to deliver world-class leadership programming at the local level,” Brother Stith said. “That’s something chapters can’t do by themselves and would positively impact every chapter regardless of size, location or age.”
THE PLANNING PROCESS: A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT
The success of the Capital Campaign would not have been possible without the leadership of the campaign committee and the generosity of key donors who believed in AGR’s vision. The planning of this campaign was a comprehensive and collaborative effort that spanned several years.
A task force, comprising members from both the Fraternity leadership and the Educational Foundation, was established to lead the planning process.
Together, this group cast a vision and through a collaborative effort with donors, shared that vision and delivered on its mission of
2025 TOP LEADERS INSTITUTE
your chapter is scheduled to attend the 2025 Top Leaders Institute.
Making Better Men . One of the pivotal moments in the planning process was when Bernie Staller, Past Grand President introduced the idea of creating a program to advance the leadership of AGR on the local chapter level. Their vision, coupled with the insights of other leaders like Jim Borel, who synthesized the concepts of the Standards of Chapter Excellence and The Top Leaders Institute into a cohesive program, laid the foundation for the campaign’s success.
Reflecting on this plan and campaign, Stith summarized four key takeaways the group had which could also help local chapters as they think about local fundraising efforts:
1. B uild A Strategy: If you have a good strategy that is validated through input and can deliver real value, many donors will help step up to make it a reality. But the key is a clearly communicated strategy with meaningful outcomes.
2. S erve A Purpose: In this case, the Fraternity and Educational Foundation exist to serve and support the advancement of local chapter success. This campaign furthers that purpose. In any campaign, ensure that the purpose is obvious.
3. S eek Collective Support: In response to a well-thought-out, well-developed, and well-communicated plan, you’ll find there is an abundance of support. Alumni, donors, and volunteers will participate for a game-changing initiative.
4. Teamwork & Vision Creates Change:
An outstanding campaign committee that is excited by the vision, working as a team can accomplish immense changes to accelerate chapters.
A HISTORY OF CAPITAL CAMPAIGNS: AGR’S COMMITMENT TO GROWTH
AGR'S STANDARDS OF CHAPTER EXCELLENCE
Learn more about the foundational elements of strong AGR chapters and how local chapters can strive to achieve excellence.
Champions Of AGR’s Vision
The campaign committee worked efficiently and tirelessly to achieve excellence in its own way. While many hands and minds came together, we can all give thanks these brothers for helping to spearhead this campaign:
f G ary Clark, Pi (Oklahoma State)
f D onald De Jong, Chi (Cal Poly)
f T he late Gene Lemon, Alpha (Illinois) Honorary
AGR’s history of capital campaigns reflects its ongoing commitment to growth and excellence. These campaigns have been vital in enabling the Fraternity to expand its programs, improve its facilities, and support its members’ academic and personal development. Each campaign has been built on the successes of its predecessors, with lessons learned, transformation of planning and execution of subsequent efforts.
According to Rex Martin, CEO, the importance of these campaigns cannot be overstated.
“Every campaign is a step forward,” Brother Martin said. “They allow us to dream big, to set ambitious goals, and to achieve things that were once thought impossible.”
This is not the Fraternity’s first capital campaign, but this is its largest campaign. It is a campaign that has set the Fraternity up for continued success.
“This campaign is a testament to what can be achieved when a community comes together with a common goal,” said Brother Martin. “The Fraternity has never been more united. It is a reminder that with vision, dedication and collective effort, even the most ambitious goals can be achieved.”
f P hilip Josephson, Alpha Psi (Wisconsin–River Falls) Honorary
f D avid Ames, Beta (Ohio State)
f R . Kirby Barrick, Beta (Ohio State)
f Tracey Binkley, Alpha Kappa (Tennessee–Knoxville)
f J ames C. Borel, Eta (Iowa State)
f M ichael J. Borel, Eta (Iowa State)
f J ack H. Britt, Alpha Chi (Western Kentucky)
f Terry Hague, Pi (Oklahoma State)
f Todd Johnson, Alpha Zeta (Kansas State)
f Adam Manwarren, Lambda (Minnesota)
f D avid A. Maurer, Alpha (Illinois)
f J erry Steiner, Iota (Wisconsin–Madison)
f G lenn Stith, Omicron (Kentucky)
These individuals, along with numerous other alumni and supporters, donated not just their financial resources but also their time and expertise, making countless calls, organizing events and engaging with potential donors. Their commitment transformed the campaign into a labor of love, reflecting the deep connection they feel to AGR and its mission.
There are also many donors to this campaign. We recognize that generosity in all sizes is what made this campaign successful. The National Fraternity thanks every donor for their contributions to the Local Chapter Excellence Capital Campaign.
AGR Local Chapter Excellence Campaign Success Recognized
TOP LEADERS INSTITUTE PROGRAM AWARDED
LAUREL WREATH BY NIC
ALPHA GAMMA RHO FRATERNITY and the Educational Foundation of Alpha Gamma Rho received multiple national awards at AGR’s 68th National Convention from the North American Interfraternity Conference for its success in launching the Top Leaders Institute (TLI) in January 2024. These awards represent the hard work and accomplishments of the Local Chapter Excellence Capital Campaign and all who supported it.
AGR received one award, the Laurel Wreath Award and the Educational Foundation received two awards, the Best Use on an Educational Grant and an Honorable Mention for Best Communication Efforts. AGR was one of six NIC Greek organizations to receive the Laurel Wreath Award, an award that celebrates unique programs and initiatives influencing the fraternity community and greater world.
“We are incredibly honored to receive these Awards of Distinction,” Carol Johnson, Chief Development Officer of the Educational Foundation said. “This recognition is a testament to
“With a program like this, we have been able to provide engaging, worldclass education to our brothers to create a broader and better agriculture.”
— REX MARTIN, CEO
the supporters of the Educational Foundation of Alpha Gamma Rho — It underscores a genuine dedication to the mission and continued commitment to relevancy while
advancing the Purpose of the Fraternity. Being acknowledged by our peers in the Greek world, who tirelessly work for the betterment of the entire fraternal community, makes this achievement even more meaningful.”
After four years of planning and pilot programs, the Top Leaders Institute was launched as an opportunity for members to advance their leadership skills and strengthen their local chapters, thus cultivating the next generation of leaders in agriculture and the world.
The vast majority of chapters attended one of the eight Top Leaders Institutes between January 12 and February 3. With 467 chapter officers and 62 alumni representatives, Chapter Advisers, Housemothers and House Directors in attendance, the TLI was an astounding success.
“Alpha Gamma Rho’s goals for our brothers are for them to become stronger leaders so they can grow stronger chapters,” CEO, Rex Martin, said. “With a program like this, we have been able to provide engaging, world-class education to our brothers to create a broader and better agriculture.”
Brother Glenn Stith, Omicron Chapter, Kentucky, described TLI as a nod to Brother Gene Lemon, Alpha Chapter, Illinois–Champaign, who took great lengths to fulfill his passions in developing exceptional leaders. This program is just one way AGR raises a glass to Brother Lemon to thank him for his progressive efforts.
This institute, as CEO Rex Martin has said, is the North Star of AGR as it paves a way to Make Better Men . AGR’s Purpose is fulfilled by surrounding its members with influences to encourage individual endeavor, resourcefulness and aggressive effort along the lines of making for the development of better mental, social, moral and physical qualities. The TLI is just one way AGR has worked to make these goals a true impact on its membership.
SEVERAL AGR CHAPTERS ACROSS THE NATION CELEBRATED AMAZING milestones this year. While Beta Zeta at Clemson University celebrated 50 years and Alpha Iota at Arkansas celebrated 90 years, the Alpha Alpha Chapter at West Virginia; Omega Chapter at New Hampshire; Alpha Beta Chapter at Oregon State and Psi Chapter at Maine each celebrated 100 years as chapters
These six chapters took the occasion to celebrate their past and rally for their futures of Making Better Men.
Alpha Alpha Chapter celebrated their 100th anniversary in April with a four-day event including social hours, touring the new agriculture building on campus, faculty luncheons and more.
“There wasn’t a bad review from the event,” Brother Tom Manahan said. Brother Chuck Dransfield and Brother Monahan both played large roles in preparing for the event. Brother Dransfield asked to be part of the planning committee when he realized that the 100 years was just a few years away. Brother Monahan has a background in recreation programs and was asked to help plan the event as the committee chair.
The chapter took a professional development approach to their event while also making it fun for everyone. Brother Monahan worked with the Dean of Agriculture and other faculty to get a tour of the Davis College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. The tour focused on the many industries that have grown and been created as agriculture changes.
“The goal was to show the inter-disciplinary need that is modern agriculture,” Brother Monahan said.
The chapter also toured a dairy plant called Mountaintop Beverage as part of the educational aspect.
The chapter also hosted a bonfire Thursday night, then Friday night was the first reception. Among those in attendance were the President of the University and the Dean of the Davis College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Saturday, they held various business meetings as well as another reception. During their chapter meetings, three men were initiated including Speaker of the West Virginia House of Delegates, Roger Hanshaw. During the reception, the chapter held a silent auction and other activities that raised $2,000 for West Virginia 4-H.
“The goal was to show the inter-disciplinary need that is modern agriculture.”
— BROTHER MONAHAN
Brother Dransfield said they named JoAn Scott-Jackson, a Rho Mate during his time as a collegiate, the Centennial Sweetheart. JoAn helped with putting together the 100-year celebration and this was just one way the chapter thanked her for her continual support over the years.
“It’s a family thing,” Brother Dransfield said.
Brother Julian Barton of Beta Zeta Chapter, Clemson University had a similar outlook as Brother Dransfield about AGR and celebrating his chapter’s milestone of 50 years.
Beta Zeta Chapter held a one-evening event April 13 at the Madren Center on the Clemson University Campus. In attendance among the brothers was the Dean of Agriculture and the Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life at Clemson.
The chapter held what resembled a reunion of several generations. Brothers got the opportunity to mingle with one another and catch up after many years apart. Brother Barton helped organize the event. He said with the 50th celebration, the chapter really wanted to focus on the people who came and the past that built the chapter into what it is today.
“You’re not just joining a fraternity, you’re here to build a fraternity,” Brother Julian Barton said as he reflected on when he first joined the Fraternity.
Brother Barton said a little more than 150 people were in attendance. He said they set up call lists and himself, as well as others helping assist with the event, spent time calling Beta Zeta Chapter brothers letting them know about the 50th celebration event. Many of which were part of the first several classes of the chapter.
He said the 50th anniversary was very important to the chapter because many of the attendees were among some of the first classes at Beta Zeta Chapter. Brother Barton said this was the opportunity for many of those brothers, who are now in their 60s, 70s or even 80s to celebrate their chapter’s accomplishment. He said it was important that the chapter focus on those foundational members that set the stage for what the chapter is today. And celebrate, they did.
“We were laughing when we came in the door and we were laughing when we came out,” Brother Barton said.
He emphasized the support of the people who helped make the event a success. Brother Barton explained it was the quality of the people who helped to make the 50th celebration a time for members to enjoy. He said it was truly a group effort where everyone held up their responsibilities.
He said there was a sense of satisfaction seeing the chapter grow into what it is as he was among some of the earliest classes the chapter had. Brother Barton said going forward, he believes that people need to focus on the values of fraternities and what they can do to help future generations, just like AGR did for his generation.
Omega Chapter at the University of New Hampshire also celebrated 100 years this year on April 19-20. They celebrated at the Mount Washington Hotel, a grand hotel at the foot of Mount Washington.
Brother Shawn Jasper, the Chapter Adviser, said they chose to have the event there because his sister, who works for FFA, had helped organize the FFA conventions there every year and he knew the hotel would be a great place to get the brothers together.
Roughly 225 people were in attendance. Friday night they had a social hour. Saturday the chapter held business meetings, a reception, and lastly a banquet Saturday. Then Vice Grand President Jay Vroom was in attendance for the event.
The chapter also held a silent auction and raffled off baskets to raise money for their chapter’s Educational Foundation. Between the auction, the raffle and selling some Omega Chapter merchandise, the event raised roughly $6,000.
Those planning the event also made it a point to make sure collegiate members could participate in the festivities by covering their meals and rooms for the event with other funds raised during the 100th anniversary.
Brother Jasper said he was very proud to have gotten to be part of his chapter’s 100th anniversary. He said he is also proud of the chapter and how it has turned out over the course of the century.
“Seeing people who were just thrilled to be there is just something that you can’t replicate,” Brother Jasper said.
Alpha Iota Chapter held their 90th celebration during a two-day event April 5 and April 6. Brother Chris Looney, who is the President of both the Alumni Association and Housing Committee, was one of the many members to help plan the event for Alpha Iota’s 90th anniversary.
The event kicked off Friday evening with their annual Hall of Fame banquet. That evening, six alumni were inducted into the Alpha Iota Chapter Hall of Fame. Brother C.A. Vines, Brother Paul Noland, Brother Russell Black, Brother Ford Baldwin, Brother David Wildy and Brother Larry Ropp were all recognized for their dedication to their chapter and Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity.
They also celebrated their graduating seniors who received a special AGR key and their graduation cords for being part of the Fraternity.
Saturday, they held a business meeting to go over fundraising for their new chapter house. They then had a traditional lunch of catfish. They also gave out the Brother Gary Groce Memorial Scholarship to one student who is enrolled at the university with at least 12 credit hours
and a minimum GPA of 3.0, Noble Ruler, Brother Jackson Metsker.
Brother Looney said their 90th celebration is important to the chapter because it is a milestone displaying the difficulties they have gone through. He said some years ago, the chapter was low on members and there was concern about the survival of the chapter. Now, the chapter has over 100 brothers and making it to 90 years is a testament to the chapter.
“How we have all circled the wagons to preserve and let our chapter thrive is something I think we are all proud of,” Brother Looney said.
He also said the chapter ironically hit 90 members or more in their 90th year as a chapter, something the chapter is very proud of.
Psi Chapter at the University of Maine also celebrated 100 years as a chapter. Brother Joe Roy, the Alumni Association President, said the event held April 20 consisted of lunch, business meetings, a social hour, games, awards and a banquet.
He said roughly 200 people were in attendance at the event. During the festivities they had guest speakers from the University, the Chapter Adviser, the Noble Ruler, the Alumni Board President and other alumni. “The event was excellent,” Brother Roy said.
He noted that Brother Galen Bridge was recognized for his significant financial contributions to the Psi Chapter, including his donations of $50,000 for house renovations, and they dedicated their chapter meeting room to him.
Brother Roy said the chapter is making great efforts to improve their chapter house. Since their 100th celebration, they have used donations to renovate their meeting room dedicated to Brother Bridge, as well as repave their driveway with the monetary support of Brother Matthew Nixon and Brother James Gallant.
“Moving forward, we hope to keep the active brothers engaged with the alumni brothers and foster connections that allow the ties of brotherhood to remain strong after graduation and across generations,” Brother Roy said.
Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity would like to congratulate all of its chapters on these milestones and the future ones they reach. It is their dedication and perseverance that has kept the Fraternity alive and thriving. Making Better Men would not be possible without every brother’s support and every chapter’s existence
“How we have all circled the wagons to preserve and let our chapter thrive is something I think we are all proud of.”
— BROTHER LOONEY
“You’re not just joining a fraternity, you’re here to build a fraternity.”
— BROTHER JULIAN BARTON
The Harvest
Celebrate the growth of the entire Fraternity and the excellence of its alumni, chapters, collegians, volunteers, staff, and all those who advance the Purpose of Alpha Gamma Rho.
This Harvest includes Fraternal Excellence Awards, messages from scholarship recipients, campaign updates, and more.
Whether you are a brother, volunteer, or generous donor, thank you for helping Alpha Gamma Rho pursue excellence; and To Make Better Men.
Fraternal Excellence Awards
Gold & Green Chapters
Every chapter can earn recognition for achieving excellence in the following categories:
Academic Excellence
Lifelong Membership Development
Continued Alumni Engagement
Chapter Crescents
Recruitment Excellence
Communications
Living the Promise & Values
Chapters that achieve excellence in six categories achieve Gold Status. Chapters that achieve excellence in four categories achieve Green Status.
GOLD STATUS
Delta, Purdue Eta, Iowa State Kappa, Nebraska
Alpha Gamma, Florida
Alpha Delta, Montana State
Alpha Zeta, Kansas State
Alpha Theta, Maryland
Alpha Sigma, Fresno State
Alpha Upsilon, Tennessee–Martin
Beta Gamma, Wisconsin–Platteville
GREEN STATUS
Alpha, Illinois
Epsilon, North Dakota State Zeta, Cornell Theta, Missouri
Iota, Wisconsin–Madison
Omicron, Kentucky
Pi, Oklahoma State
Rho, Colorado State
Tau, Michigan State
Alpha Kappa, Tennessee–Knoxville
Alpha Tau, Western Illinois
Alpha Psi, Wisconsin–River Falls
Beta Rho, Northwest Missouri State
Gamma Eta, SUNY- Cobleskill
The Harvest
ALUMNI & ADVISER AWARDS
Committed Alumni Corporation Award
The Committed Alumni Corporation Award recognizes Chapter Alumni Corporations that showed hard work and continued success for their chapter’s collegiate membership.
HIGHEST HONOR
Eta, Iowa State
HIGH HONOR
Iota, Wisconsin-Madison
HONORABLE MENTION
Alpha Sigma, Fresno State
Outstanding Adviser Award
The Outstanding Adviser Award recognizes the top three Chapter Advisers who are committed to engaging all brothers in professional development and lifelong success through the Promise & Values.
HIGHEST HONOR
Royce Durhman, Lambda (Minnesota)
HIGH HONOR
Russ Bragg, Alpha Upsilon ( Tennessee-Martin)
HONORABLE MENTION
Nathan Manges, Delta (Purdue)
CHAPTER AWARDS
Academic Excellence Award
The Academic Excellence Award recipients are the top three chapters that have shown campus scholastic leadership and have successfully proven a strong academic program for their chapter.
HIGHEST HONOR
Eta, Iowa State
HIGH HONOR
Lambda, Minnesota
HONORABLE MENTION
Omicron, Kentucky
Chapter Crescents, Single Issue Award
The Chapter Crescent, Single Issue Award celebrates the top three chapters that publish the best Crescent, which highlights the work and accomplishments of alumni and collegiate members.
HIGHEST HONOR
Lambda, Minnesota
HIGH HONOR
Alpha Psi, Wisconsin-River Falls
HONORABLE MENTION Iota, UW-Madison
Chapter Crescents, Feature Story Award
The Chapter Crescent, Feature Story Award recognizes the top three chapters that publish the best single Crescent feature story, covering but not limited to, making a difference on campus/in the community, alumni accomplishments, and chapter philanthropic efforts.
HIGHEST HONOR
Eta, Iowa State
HIGH HONOR Lambda, Minnesota
HONORABLE MENTION Iota, UW–Madison
Communications Award
The Communications Award looks to commend chapters that use multiple means of electronic communication to engage various age groups on what the chapter strives to achieve, and involvement with both campus and community.
HIGHEST HONOR
Lambda, Minnesota
HIGH HONOR
Alpha Upsilon, Tennessee-Martin
HONORABLE MENTION
Alpha Delta, Montanta State
Continued Alumni Engagement Award
The Continued Alumni Engagement Relations award celebrates the top three chapters that continually foster strong alumni involvement and leadership throughout the year.
HIGHEST HONOR
Delta, Purdue
HIGH HONOR
Alpha Upsilon, Tennessee-Martin
HONORABLE MENTION
Alpha Lambda, New Mexico State
Lifelong Membership Development Award
The Lifelong Membership Development Award acknowledges the top three chapters that have implemented a program which encompasses continuous education and lifelong personal development in not only their new members, but also successful re-engagement of alumni.
HIGHEST HONOR
Lambda, Minnesota
HIGH HONOR
Theta, Missouri
HONORABLE MENTION
Eta, Iowa State
Living the Promise & Values Award
The Living the Promise & Values Award goes 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
Alpha Sigma, Fresno State
HIGH HONOR
Alpha Gamma, Florida
HONORABLE MENTION
Eta, Iowa State
Outstanding Community Service & Philanthropic Efforts Award
The Outstanding Community Service & Philanthropic Efforts Award recognizes chapters that take part in their communities, serving through volunteerism and philanthropic efforts.
HIGHEST HONOR
Alpha Delta, Montana State
HIGH HONOR
Tau, Michigan State
HONORABLE MENTION
Alpha Gamma, Florida
Recruitment Excellence Award
The Recruitment Excellence Award goes to the top three chapters that have implemented an effective, year-round recruitment program.
HIGHEST HONOR
Alpha Zeta, Kansas State
HIGH HONOR
Eta, Iowa State
HONORABLE MENTION
Alpha Iota, Arkansas
MARIE COE MEMORIAL HOUSEMOTHER/ HOUSE DIRECTOR AWARDS
Housemother/House Director Social & Cultural Development Award
The Housemother/House Director Social & Cultural Development Award recognizes Housemothers/House Directors who have developed and implemented programs and initiatives to improve the social development or cultural awareness of brothers at their chapter.
HIGHEST HONOR
Jerrie Conley, Alpha Upsilon ( Tennessee-Martin)
HIGH HONOR
Teri Gustafson, Lambda ( Minnesota)
HONORABLE MENTION
Diane Pinneke, Eta (Iowa State)
Housemother/ House Director Management Award
The Housemother/House Director Management Award honors the top three Housemothers/House Directors who consistently prove superior management of the chapter facilities and the chapter.
HIGHEST HONOR
Diane Pinneke, Eta (Iowa State)
HIGH HONOR
Dianna Philippi, Alpha Zeta (Kansas State)
HONORABLE MENTION
Lori Merritt, Alpha Sigma (Fresno State)
INDIVIDUAL AWARD
Outstanding Undergraduate of the Year Award
The Outstanding Undergraduate of the Year Award honors undergraduate members who excel in their college career both on campus and within the Fraternity.
Justin Eddy, Theta (Missouri)
Landry Woodrum, Omicron (Kentucky)
Chance Cannon, Alpha Lambda (New Mexico State)
2024 Scholarship Recipients
The Educational Foundation offers 12 national scholarships annually to collegiate members of the Fraternity. The criteria for eligibility for each scholarship differs, but each is based on the individual’s pursuit of excellence in scholarship and leadership, and for his contributions to community and Fraternity. The scholarship application submission deadline is May 15, 2025.
Agr Excellence Scholarship
Awarded to collegiate members who show enormous potential and achieve success in scholarship, leadership, citizenship, activities, and fraternal involvement.
>M acon Barrow (Alpha Upsilon, UT-Martin)
>Colin Boyd (Beta Omega, Missouri State)
>Cody Cornell (Alpha Tau, Western Illinois)
>Luke Peart (Beta, Ohio State)
Bill Sallee Scholarship
Awarded to brothers who truly have financial need and exhibit leadership and citizenship traits like Brother Bill Sallee, Pi (Oklahoma State), including individual endeavor, resourcefulness, aggressive effort, and a balanced lifestyle.
> Koda Oller Pi (Oklahoma State)
Dale Runnion Scholarship
Created by Brother Dale Runnion, Rho (Colorado State), to assist collegiate members with financial need who show outstanding professional promise and will pursue a career in agri-marketing, journalism, or public relations.
> A llen Everett (Alpha Omega, Murray State)
Gene Swackhamer Ag Economics/Ag Business Scholarship
Awarded to those who achieve an elevated level of excellence and pursuing a major in agriculture economics, resource management, or related fields.
>J ustin Eddy (Theta, Mizzou)
Harold Olson Scholarship
Awarded as recognition to an undergraduate member who achieved elevated levels of excellence in scholarship, leadership, citizenship, brotherhood, activities, and service.
>J ames Gibbs (Alpha Eta, Georgia)
J. Wayne Rehn Animal Science Scholarship
Established to encourage excellence in academics among brothers majoring in pre-veterinary medicine or animal science who are sophomores or juniors living in a chapter’s residence.
>K hale Lucero (Alpha Lambda, New Mexico)
KIRBY BARRICK AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP
Reserved for brothers pursuing a major in agricultural education who intend to teach after graduation and strive to help advance the industry.
>C ameron Ivy (Alpha Sigma, Fresno)
>J eremiah Ihm (Alpha Psi, UW-River Falls)
Lindley Finch Memorial Scholarship
Presented to an undergraduate member with true financial need, exhibits leadership and citizenship traits of individual endeavor, resourcefulness, aggressive effort, and a balanced lifestyle, like Brother Lindley Finch, Eta (Iowa State), who was instrumental in establishing the Educational Foundation of Alpha Gamma Rho.
>N athanel Stroup (Alpha Kappa, UT-Knoxville)
Ole Meland Dairy Scholarship
Made possible by Brother Ole Meland, Chi (Cal Poly), Grand President 1994–96, available to undergraduates majoring in dairy science, dairy husbandry, or animal science with a dairy option.
> Ben jamin Styer (Lambda, Minnesota)
Ornamental Horticulture Scholarship
Reserved for brothers enrolled in a horticulturerelated major, including entomology, floriculture, landscape architecture, pest management, and plant pathology.
> B raden Harrod (Alpha Iota, Arkansas)
Robert L. Oehrtman Scholarship
Created in tribute to a man who devoted his life to teaching, building skills, and making memories through life lessons; awardees are full time students who held leadership positions while maintaining a minimum 3.0 GPA.
>J ustin Moberley (Beta Sigma, Tarleton State)
Undergraduate Achievement Award
Presented to collegiate members evaluated by committee on six categories: scholarship, leadership, citizenship, brotherhood, activities, and involvement.
> C had Achenbach (Beta Gamma, UW-Platteville)
>M atthew Syrotiak (Alpha Nu, UConn)
Apply for all 12 scholarships with one online form:
Lifetime Giving Levels
The following Lifetime Giving Levels recognize donors with a cumulative lifetime giving of $50,000 or more to the Educational Foundation of Alpha Gamma Rho in 2023. Thank you for your generous and continued support of Alpha Gamma Rho.
Founder’s Circle
$1,000,000 or more
Alpha-Illinois
Philip L. Francis
Steven H. Gerdes
Zeta-Cornell
Kevin G. Bartolotta
Omicron-Kentucky
Glenn A. Stith
Pi-Oklahoma State
Arthur J. Jacques N. Mitchell
Chi-Cal Poly
Donald A. De Jong
Order of the Brotherhood
$500,000$999,999
Beta-Ohio State
Kirby Barrick
Gamma-Penn State
Ronald J. Dinus
Delta-Purdue
Michael A. Jackson
Epsilon-North Dakota State
Allan R. Johnson
David Sunderland
Sigma-Washington State
Doyle W. Jacklin
Alpha Gamma-Florida W. Bernard B. Lester
Alpha Psi-WisconsinRiver Falls
William T. Boehm
Friend of AGR
Cathie Lemon
Order of the Harvest
$100,000$499,999
Alpha-Illinois
David Maurer
Lee L. Morgan
David A. Schick
Jay J. Vroom
Beta-Ohio State
James F. Berg
Richard L. Bere
Thomas H. Timmer
Gamma-Penn State
William H. Yerkes
Delta-Purdue
Sanford A. Belden
Richard E. Belcher
Joseph D. Coffey
Thomas A. Davis
Byram E. Dickes
Douglas E. Eckrote
John N. Ferris
Joseph W. Hasler
Steven G. Newcom
Ted A. Priebe
Gene L. Swackhamer
Epsilon-North Dakota State
Gregory J. Halverson
Roger A. Kenner
Corey L. Martin
Zeta-Cornell
Douglas J. Adams
Gregory I. Wickham
Eta-Iowa State
James C. Borel
Michael J. Borel
Sigmund L. Cornelius
William B. Sayre
Robert C. Vasko
David W. Van Wert
Theta-Missouri
Zane V. Akins
Stephen D. Barr
Stephen A. Ellis
Ralph D. Gates
Daniel L. Prosser
Bradley K. Starbuck
Robert S. Wheeler
Iota-WisconsinMadison
Bill E. Hantke
Jerry A. Steiner
Kappa-Nebraska
Ronald L. Grapes
Nu-North Carolina State
Tyler B. Warren
Omicron-Kentucky
Burgess J. Brown
Scott A. Brown
Julian Gray
Pi-Oklahoma State
Raymond E. Beck
Gary C. Clark
Bradley A. Gungoll
Joe B. Hinz
Arthur L. Hutson
Douglas L. Jackson
Lee R. Larkin
Paul I. Schulte
Scott W. Sewell
James W. Sigmon
K. Sizelove
Dennis L. Slagell
Paul E. Yauk
Rho-Colorado State
Brian L. Field
Sigma-Washington State
Kenneth Hinshaw
Duane A. Jacklin
Phi-California-Davis
Gerald A. Rominger
Jeremy R. Turner
Chi-Cal Poly
George A. Borba
Ricardo Echeverria
Ejnar A. Knudsen
Ole M. Meland
Stanley O. Van Vleck
Alpha BetaOregon State
Richard D. Ladd
Alpha Gamma-Florida
N. P. Brooks
John M. Douthat
Dean P. Saunders
Edward L. Smoak
Alpha DeltaMontana State
Clifford A. Dougherty
Alpha ZetaKansas State
Samuel L. Hands
Loren J. Kruse
John A. Niemann
Michael E. Smith
Randall D. Stoecker
Douglas C. Weyer
Alpha Iota-Arkansas
James E. Mitchell
Alpha KappaTennessee-Knoxville
Donald J. Smith
Alpa SigmaFresno State
Michael J. Way
Alpha Phi-South Dakota State
Bradley W. Freking
Alpha Chi-Western Kentucky
Jack H. Britt
Alpha Psi-WisconsinRiver Falls
Philip Josephson
Friends of AGR
Doyle & Debbie Carlton
Thomas R. Gates
Norberta Modliszewski
Order of the Shield $50,000$99,999
Alpha-Illinois
Edward J. Dollinger
Gerald D. Gehlbach
Larry G. Gerdes
David A. Hollinrake
W. Thad Kuhfuss
James E. Ross
Beta-Ohio State
David R. Ames
Todd E. Pugh
Gamma-Penn State
Richard S. Carpenter
Brian T. Sarris
Jon J. Schroer
John Z. Shearer
Delta-Purdue
John E. Burkhardt
John C. Cottingham
John A. Demerly
Richard L. Feltner
Gerald L. Nickel
David R. Parker
Epsilon-North Dakota State
Randall C. Aarestad
John R. Anderson
Jack Brown
Allen D. Giese
William A. Harbeke
Randy D. Reber
Peter O. Shockman
David M. Vipond
Michael L. Vipond
Ray L. York
Zeta-Cornell
William C. Baskin
William J. Lipinski
Ronald J. Pope
Neil C. Rejman
Charles F. Saul
Andrew P. White
Eta-Iowa State
Frederic R. Bahrenburg
Timothy J. Heiller
Gregory P. Nickerson
Theta-Missouri
Phillip C. Brown
David M. Minnick
Paul W. Steele
Larry R. Warren
John S. Woodward
Iota-WisconsinMadison
John A. Cull
Karl A. Drye
Clifford C. Gnatzig
Robert J. Kalter
Russell J. Schuler
Kappa-Nebraska
William C. Schilling
Lambda-Minnesota
Adam E. Manwarren
Leland N. Sundet
Nu-North Carolina State
Allen M. Matthews
Omicron-Kentucky
George A. Duncan
Jack D. McHargue
Pi-Oklahoma State
Benjamin J. Bradshaw
Gordon D. Elsener
David R. Epperly
Kyle E. Goerke
Daniel J. Grellner
Randy J. Grellner
Terry M. Hague
Ladd D. Hudgins
Clay H. Hutson
Sean P. Kouplen
Javen D. Moore
Rodney D. Orrell
Kent Prickett
Gregory S. Shepherd
Richard A. Wuerflein
Phi-California-Davis
Orville E. Thompson
Chi-Cal Poly
David De Jong
Alpha BetaOregon State
Skye H. Krebs
Gary S. Nuss
V. Kent Searles
Craig W. Ward
Alpha Gamma-Florida
Sidney M. Banack
Wilton R. Banack
Barry A. Bustillo
Evander B. Conoley
Miller Couse
Timothy J. Garman
Randall W. Hanna
John D. Hooker
Jefferson B. Miller
Paul C. Myers
John C. Norris
Ernest A. Sellers
William G. Steube
Elder M. Sumner
Dale W. Zimmerman
Alpha DeltaMontana State
Taylor Brown
James L. Driscoll
Lyle E. Hodgskiss
James L. Holzer
Ronald A. Ramsfield
Kenneth M. Walsh
Alpha EpsilonLouisiana State
David M. Galton
Alpha ZetaKansas State
Ben E. Brent
Robert J. Broeckelman
Steve L. Burgess
Michael K. Doane
R. Foote
Bradley D. Foote
Nelson D. Galle
Keith A. Heikes
Todd D. Johnson
Kenneth G. Kalb
Aaron M. McKee
Robert B. Moore
Bill E. New
Warren D. Nichols
Casey W. Niemann
Dale A. Rodman
Wallace W. Wolf
Alpha Theta-Maryland
Paul S. Weller
Alpha Iota-Arkansas
James V. Atkinson
Rex A. Martin
J. Kirk Thompson
Alpha Rho-Vermont
Erwin C. Clark
Donald J. McFeeters
Alpha TauWestern Illinois
Larry G. Lepper
Phillip E. Nichols
Gerald E. Salzman
Leonard W. Whipps
Alpha Phi-South Dakota State
Troy W. Johnson
Alpha Psi-WisconsinRiver Falls
David B. Kilpatrick
James G. Van Wychen
Jon E. Wangen
Beta DeltaIllinois State
Donald J. Bumphrey
Beta Eta-Virginia Tech
Jay S. Poole
Friends of AGR
Anonymous
Elizabeth Anderson
Lillian J. Fobes
Elise R. Donohue
F. Jean Rehn Order of the Sheaf $25,000$49,999
Alpha-Illinois
Stanley E. Foley
Cory A. Peter
Beta-Ohio State
Joseph R. Crites
Daryl L. Deering
Robert M. McClelland
Dwight C. Radcliff
Dwight R. Steen
Gamma-Penn State
Daniel A. Swope
James C. Valent
Delta-Purdue
Bruce W. Brown
Joseph E. Horstman
Leo S. Mann
Mark G. McKinney
Donald E. Orr
Leo P. Scheetz
Keith A. Welty
Epsilon-North Dakota State
Michael A. Anderson
Keith D. Bjerke
William M. Finley
John W. Giese
Frederick J. Haas
Merrill A. Johnson
Russell B. Johnson
Myron D. Johnsrud
Carl D. Larson
Thomas S. Lilja
Zeta-Cornell
Sheldon D. Brown
Steven M. Chuhta
Mark W. Creighton
Timothy J. Dayka
John A. Noble
David G. Porter
Edgar Savidge
William S. Wickham
Eta-Iowa State
Kenneth D. Isley
Wayne E. Tyler
Arlen L. Wonderlich
Theta-Missouri
Lynn A. Fahrmeier
Edwin F. Gladbach
Curtis W. Long
James B. McRoberts
Lowell F. Mohler
Lowell D. Newsom
Lawrence M. Turpin
Iota-WisconsinMadison
Richard H. Daluge
Scott Kurzer
Robert H. Miller
Samuel J. Miller
Bernard L. Staller
Randall E. Torgerson
Jerome F. Wallander
Kappa-Nebraska
Larry F. Engelkemier
Richard C. Wahlstrom
Nu-North Caolina State
Raymond O. Collier
Robert W. May
Omicron-Kentucky
Bernard L. Peterson
Pi-Oklahoma State
C. James Bode
William M. Elliott
Kim I. Ford
Dale J. Grellner
Richard J. Grellner
Greg W. Gungoll
Michael L. Hardin
Roy Heinrich
Robbye L. Jones
Dale E. Kunneman
Frank R. Miller
Kenneth E. Root
Spencer T. Sewell
Jack E. Stuteville
William D. Thomas
Sigma-Washington State
Nickolas D. Hein
Tau-Michigan State
Frederick S. Addy
William E. Graves
Phi-California-Davis
Donald E. Brock
Albert G. Boyce
Chi-Cal Poly
Brett W. Hedrick
John A. Moons
Tim M. Souza
Paul T. Weubbe
Alpha AlphaWest Virginia
Clark E. McKee
Alpha Beta-
Oregon State
Martin J. Belshe
Jan P. Wepster
Alpha Gamma-Florida
Clayton H. Archey
John M. Bailey
J. Wayne Beardsley
Brian R. Beasley
Glenn A. Bissett
James C. Clinard
David J. Duda
Peter W. Marovich
William B. McLean
John T. Polhill
Adam H. Putnam
Henry H. Raattama
Derick R. Thomas
Conrad H. Varnum
Tim R. Yaeger
Alpha DeltaMontana State
Donald L. Becker
Travis J. Brown
Edward S. Malesich
Phillip J. Moodie
Bret I. Lesh
LeRoy D. Luft
William Perry
Karl D. Ratzburg
Eugene B. Thayer
Harold A. Tutvedt
Alpha EpsilonLouisiana State
Glenn W. Bryant
Alpha ZetaKansas State
Chad E. Chase
James R. Garrison
Edwin R. Kerley
Virgil A. Lair
Roger E. McClellan
Tim E. Rosenhagen
Steven H. Slusher
Curtis L. Steenbock
Keith D. Westervelt
Jerrod A. Westfahl
Alpha Theta-Maryland
James R. Moxley
Alpha Iota-Arkansas
Kevin L. Barrows
James E. Marrs
John P. Pendergrass
Greg K. Satterfield
Alpha KappaTennessee-Knoxville
Tracey A. Binkley
Robert T. Earnest
Jimmy L. Fellers
John R. Tarpley
Thomas R. White
Alpha Nu-Connecticut
George L. Staby
Alpha Pi-Arizona
Martin A. Massengale
Len J. Richardson
Alpha Rho-Vermont
James R. Carpenter
Laurence C. Jost
Brian D. Markwell
Alpha SigmaFresno State
Ian A. Burnett
Gary W. Nelson
Alpha TauWestern Illinois
Jeffrey L. Warner
Robert H. Woodrow
Alpha UpsilonTennessee-Martin
Robert T. Earnest
Alpha Phi-South
Dakota State
Clark L. Moeckly
Randall L. Nelson
Gary E. Schultz
Dennis J. Serie
Dorn Severtson
Tommy L. Thompson
Calvin Willemssen
Alpha ChiWestern Kentucky
Ernest W. Yates
Alpha Psi-WisconsinRiver Falls
Dennis R. Tauchen
Joseph A. Waldo
Beta AlphaSouthern Illinois
Gregory W. Webb
Beta Zeta-Clemson
Michael W. Freeman
Beta Nu-Texas A&M
William E. Lagrange
Beta TauMississippi State
Bradley A. Garrison
Friends of AGR
Andrew J. Ansted
Barbara J. Ansted
Ann S. Christian
Walter C. Fishburn
Carol A. Johnson, Ed.D.
A Phone Call Away from Making Better Men
Bother Kevin Bartolotta, Zeta Chapter, Cornell University, affectionately known as “Barto” among Alpha Gamma Rho brothers and supporters, is taking big steps down the path to Making Better Men.
Brother Bartolotta transferred to Cornell University in 1987 and joined AGR that same year. After graduating in 1989, he said he lost touch with many of his AGR brothers.
He decided to contact Brother Winters simply to catch up, not knowing that one reconnection would cascade to him getting back in contact with numerous members he hadn’t seen in a long time and becoming an even bigger supporter of AGR.
“I hadn’t talked to him in probably 15 years, maybe longer,” Brother Bartolotta said.
Brother Winters gave Brother Bartolotta the phone number of several other brothers, which became a chain reaction. He has since started a couple different group chats with brothers to help them stay better connected. He also uses those group chats to encourage brothers to donate to AGR in any way they can.
“It’s not how much they give, it’s how many,” Brother Bartolotta said.
He said during the last Giving Tuesday, Zeta Chapter had the largest number of donors of any other chapter in the nation.
For his efforts within the chapter and within AGR, Brother Bartolotta was inducted into the Zeta Chapter Hall of Fame along with Brother Greg Wickham and Brother Doug Degroff during the chapter’s 110th celebration.
More than 300 people attended the event, which was comprised of speeches, laughter and support for Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity. The chapter gave out 25 scholarships totaling $37,500 and they held an auction that raised $54,272.
Brother Bartolotta helped raised an extra $1,000 for the collegiate members to spend on what they deem necessary for the chapter by letting them toss him in a tub of water, making a big splash while making an even bigger impact for the Fraternity.
He stressed the importance of supporting the Fraternity, especially as the times change and the Greek community is scrutinized by some people. He believes through encouragement and setting a precedent for the young men coming into AGR, the Fraternity will thrive.
“I bleed green and gold,” Brother Bartolotta said. “I hold AGR pretty high up in my life.”
Don T. Kirby
Tim M. Lopez
Gregory T. Oehrtman
C Emily Rodibaugh
June D. Schrupp
Frances Slagle
Michael Sukalski
Natalie & JR Thomas
Hugh E. Wilson
Order of the Sickle $15,000$24,999
Alpha-Illinois
Brett G. Bayston
Joseph S. Bicknell
Mark C. Gossett
Wilbur E. Nelson
Ross A. Peter
Vincent L. Reincke
David H. Ruebush
Morris L. Smith
Jack M. Widholm
James L. Zumwalt
Beta-Ohio State
Peter M. Bowen
Derek E. Cunningham
Tommy L. Denison
Jac T. Dill
Michael J. Estadt
Timothy J. Geiger
Francis X. Hirsch
John B. Stair
Gamma-Penn State
Carl A. Anderson
Dwight G. Edwards
Louis G. Galliker
Thomas R. Olliver
Delta-Purdue
Michael J. Baines
Wayne E. Beehler
Hal K. Bowman
B. A. Buchanan
Dwain R. Cottingham
Mark F. Durr
Doug Griffin
Russell W. Hardin
Kirt D. Ramsay
Max T. Rodibaugh
Rick A. Senesac
David L. Voris
Douglas W. Wilhelm
Epsilon-North Dakota State
Joseph L. Bata
Darby G. Bauer
Neal R. Bjornson
Bruce L. Fagerholt
Gary B. Gibbons
Bernard L. Goodman
Gregory G. Goodman
Jared C. Hagert
James G. Hauge
Clinton D. Kurtz
Anthony D. Larson
Randall A. Mauch
Lyle E. Moe
Andy J. Moquist
James A. Mostad
Gerald C. Puppe
Joseph S. Ruliffson
Howard G. Schmid
Donald F. Schwartz
Mark A. Sletten
Jason C. Wildung
Jarvis J. York
Zeta-Cornell
John S. Adams
Jeffrey A. Ainslie
Ronald L. Beck
Timothy S. Bostley
David L. Call
Steven T. Call
Frederic H. Corell
Richard D. Darley
Philip H. Davis
Derl I. Derr
Walter J. Henry
J. Holloway
John B. Mueller
Brian T. Rapp
Stephen A. Riessen
Donald A. Seipt
David W. Tregaskis
Eta-Iowa State
Charles P. Brown
Bret R. Carter
Robert L. Dittmer
Albert C. Duroe
Steven M. Hanson
James R. Howe
Bruce L. Rastetter
Marvin J. Walter
Theta-Missouri
James A. Edwards
James N. Famuliner
Robert E. Hertzog
Sidney B. Johnson
Rado J. Popp
Douglas B. Thomas
Iota-WisconsinMadison
Dale F. Bruhn
James K. Caldwell
Paul R. Hagen
Robert A. Hagenow
Paul A. Hartman
Allan A. Schultz
Scott A. Vosters
John W. Wilks
Kappa-Nebraska
Robert L. Raun
William R. Stephens
Charles E. Trauger
Lambda-Minnesota
Neil N. Fruechte
Elden G. Lamprecht
Robert C. Schwert
Nu-North Carolina State
R. Kendall Hill
Omicron-Kentucky
Paul S. Hupman
R. Thomas Waldrop
John T. Woeste
Pi-Oklahoma State
Paul A. Burrell
Dennis L. Christie
Stephen G. Coit
John D. Crawford
Dwight A. Dickey
Charles L. Elliott
Bryan D. Fischer
Charles R. Freeman
Michael J. Frickenschmidt
Charles L. Jacques
Bradley J. Johnson
Jeffrey L. Kubik
Bryan E. Mannering
Grant L. McKinney
Teddy R. Miller
Jeff Morris
Roy Mulbery
Benjamin M. Mungle
Matthew S. Panach
Lynn L. Reinschmiedt
Brady J. Sidwell
Ryan J. Trojan
Jerry N. White
Sigma-Washington State
Steven W. Swannack
Tau-Michigan State
Daniel P. Peabody
Phi-California-Davis
William D. Carriere
Max K. Herzog
John E. Kidd
Thomas M. Watson
Dean W. Wheeler
Chi-Cal Poly
Paul J. Wenger
Omega-New Hampshire
Everett J. Ryan
Alpha AlphaWest Virginia
William W. Black
Alpha BetaOregon State
Bruce A. McKee
Alpha Gamma-Florida
William K. Davis
Jamie R. Hayes
Raymond J. Hodge
Paul A. Koukos
Roy D. Lundy
Larry L. Mack
David M. Mann
Paul F. Mott
Joel C. Phillips
Michael Pressley
Bryan L. Putnal
Kay M. Richardson
Michael W. Shiver
John F. Smoak
Jack L. Townsend
Charles R. Thomas
John W. Williamson
Alpha DeltaMontona State
Scott W. Cromwell
Thomas E. Dedman
Bruce B. Ellis
Thomas D. Evans
Donald L. Herzog
John B. Holden
Aaron R. Iverson
William Krutzfeldt
Mark A. Martin
Steven M. Moodie
Cole R. Ratzburg
Donald K. Sanders
Richard W. Siderius
Todd S. Tibbetts
Robert J. Tronstad
Stephen F. Wagner
Alpha EpsilonLouisiana State
Myron J. Rabalais
Alpha ZetaKansas State
Robert D. Ames
Donald D. Griffiths
Jon F. Isch
Larry C. Jones
Thomas L. Miller
Brian K. Pelton
Matthew G. Urbanek
Alpha Eta-Georgia
James T. Irvin
Alpha Theta-Maryland
Charles E. Iager
Richard M. Jackson
Alpha Iota-Arkansas
Frank Carter
John C. Looney
Alpha KappaTennessee-Knoxville
Peter G. Markovich
Alpha Lambda-New Mexico State
Lowell B. Catlett
Alpha Nu-Connecticut
William F. Leahey
Alpha Pi-Arizona
Robert E. Briggs
Kelly G. Keithly
Alpha Rho-Vermont
Natale L. Smith
Hall Thompson
Alpha SigmaFresno State
Paul A. Toste
Alpha Tau-Western Illinois
Louis L. Blank
Sidney C. Kemmis
Darcy D. Kessler
Wayne G. Willems
Alpha Phi-South Dakota State
Keith H. Goehring
Alpha Chi-Western Kentucky
Orville W. Dotson
James Stewart
Alpha Psi-WisconsinRiver Falls
Steven J. Bensend
Dayton W. Hougaard
Thomas R. Morris
Robert W. MacSwain
Carl G. Schaumberg
Harland G. Schneider
Wayne H. Weiland
Edward G. Whitman
Alpha OmegaMurray State
Arthur W. Green
Beta Eta-Virginia Tech
Ronald D. Green
Beta Zeta-Clemson
Chalmers R. Carr
Beta Theta-Middle
Tennessee State
Jason A. Searles
Beta SigmaTarleton State
Cody B. Lane
Beta Phi-Idaho
Philip D. Kaufman
Friends of AGR
Dorothy Aasheim
Lester W. Amundson
Gayle Clifford
John H. DeRuiter
William B. Hellegas
Christine Martindale
Ricky McNelley
Gary R. Sackmann
Myron P. Senechal
Larry D. Stuckey
Jim & Anita Trojan
Barbara A. Wolfe
Northeast Delta Dental
Order of the Lamp $10,000$14,999
Alpha-Illinois
Clifford E. Beatty
William E. Dimond
Ronald A. Ness
Beta-Ohio State
N. Kent Ames
Sidney W. Beddow
Michael A. Bumgarner
Charles F. Cunnigan
Phillip C. Farmer
Donald L. Lamb
Gregory R. Flax
David W. Grim
Dale A. Krukemyer
William E. Langel
Nathan M. Louiso
Joe R. Mesenburg
George E. Ruff
Jack B. Spitler
William S. Stinson
Gamma-Penn State
Richard B. Dempster
Ramsey L. Frank
David N. Geise
Penrose Hallowell
Keith E. Masser
William P. Moore
Glenn M. Moyer
Arthur G. Ramicone
Robert L. Roulston
John L. Tait
Boyd E. Wolff
Delta-Purdue
Richard A. Angle
Anthony J. Booher
Daryl W. Branneman
Stephen A. Craig
Burton E. Etchison
Eric J. Farrand
Ross L. Lawrence
Thomas H. McKinney
John A. Nigh
Morris E. Odle
J. Michael Scheetz
Jim L. Schoon
James G. Stewart
Dan L. Strahl
Walter P. Waitt
Wade P. Wiley
Brian J. Wise
Donald E. Wright
Marko S. Zaninovich
Epsilon-North Dakota State
Charles B. Aarestad
Charles W. Bateman
Brant B. Bigger
Dale N. Blume
John A. Bollingberg
John P. Boyle
Donald C. Carlson
Richard C. Clark
Richard D. Clemenson
Jason D. Eckert
Robert L. Geston
Allan M. Glynn
Warren G. Hall
Eric E. Halverson
John T. Halverson
Clair V. Hauge
George W. Hildre
Howard L. Huebner
Robert E. Jerger
Dennis E. Johnson
James G. Kokett
Mark G. Knorr
Robert D. Knorr
Jeffrey S. Knott
David A. Lee
Thomas E. Lipetzky
Terry E. Lorenzen
Travis D. Maddock
Scott D. Malmberg
Wade L. Moser
Curtis H. Nelson
Jeffrey G. Olson
Sherwood E. Peterson
Terrence M. Skjerseth
James A. Sletten
Donald W. Strickler
Kenneth W. Thompson
Matthew J. Titus
Thomas H. Trost
Trent Velure
Mark A. Vipond
Timothy S. Vipond
Daniel P. Weiler
Matthew D. Williams
Steven M. Wosick
Zeta-Cornell
David D. Alexander
Russell M. Beck
Matthew S. Budine
Donald Calhoun
Nathan F. Call
John P. Caltabiano
Aaron G. Donnan
William B. Drake
The Harvest
John S. Fessenden
Steven P. Griffen
Joel M. Kemp
Russell G. Miller
Stephen J. Palladino
Stanley W. Perkins
Robert W. Plass
Kevin C. Powell
Daniel S. Potter
Mark A. Schafer
Eugene W. Schurman
James F. Shannon
Charles A. Shoup
Lawrence N. Smith
Oliver S. Williams
Robert J. Williams
Corey C. Wolff
Stuart E. Young
William W. Young
William A. Zittel
Eta-Iowa State
Gary R. Butson
Daniel O. Foor
Scott D. Flynn
Dan E. Johnson
Ed R. Lidvall
Theta-Missouri
Crandall R. Barnard
Melvin E. Barnes
Joseph E. Boatright
Alan J. Close
David E. Cupps
Donald L. Cupps
Christopher H. Finck
Edward E. Frost
Gale C. Hankins
William H. Hayen
Matthew D. Horstmeier
Michael D. McCartney
Daniel S. Reed
Randall M. Spragg
William L. Summers
Robert M. Thompson
Glen A. Waters
Bill L. Williams
Iota-Wisconsin-Madison
Roger E. Borgwardt
Patrick J. Cashman
Steven A. Cull
Dale F. Emshoff
Steven L. Fronk
Corey A. Geiger
Oren P. F. P. Hammes
Lloyd W. Holterman
Alan H. Koepke
James A. Koepke
Timothy P. Lange
James A. Mickelson
Christopher H. Nelson
Stephen M. Nelson
Arne D. Peterson
Scott T. Pertzborn
Gregory J. Sambs
Steven J. Sanner
Irvin H. Sather
Ronald T. Schuler
Daniel D. Siemers
Jason M. Sterr
David C. Verhulst
Kappa-Nebraska
James A. Cada
Hal D. Cooper
Larry L. Holbein
Gregory R. Mullins
Lambda-Minnesota
Clarence H. Horsager
Marc J. Paulson
Nu-North Carolina State
Carl F. Flemer
Robert B. Goins
James T. Hill
Bolton W. Jones
Guy L. Jones
Omicron-Kentucky
William C. Miller
Scott Moffitt
Leslie J. Stith
Pi-Oklahoma State
Jesse R. Bain
Gregory D. Birdwell
Sheldon G. Bellmon
Stephen E. Benson
Mike R. Bolay
Glenn P. Blodgett
John Bullis
Michael W. Burnett
Dennis L. Buss
Douglas R. Major
Robert G. Cleary
Kevin M. Coffey
Steven T. Coffey
John Cothren
Wendell J. Custer
Ronald K. Davis
Rickey M. Dean
Rex H. Eagan
Roy V. Edwards
Phillip K. Elliott
Monty J. Elsener
James Farley
Joe M. Freeman
William E. Gungoll
Richard J. Hasselwander
Brent S. Howard
Charles S. Ivy
Robert Jeffrey
D. Wayne Johnson
Curtis G. Kelsey
Kris L. Kinzie
Oliver A. Kinzie
Kenneth K. Knowles
Justin G. Krieger
Abner B. Lemert
Max W. Lindsay
Joe L. Lyde
Donald R. Miller
Eddie Max M. Miller
Joseph L. Mills
Robert L. Moore
Pat K. Patterson
Bill Pond
Kenneth W. Quigley
Gerald R. Reimer
Jack A. Richey
Timothy D. Riley
Clint E. Roush
Gary Schieber
Dale R. Shenold
David B. Shepherd
Larry R. Shockey
Fred A. Shultz
Ernest E. Simpson
Brian S. Smith
Justin T. Stejskal
Travis T. Thedford
Robert D. Thompson
Douglas E. Tippens
Wayne A. Walters
Randall J. Wedel
Rodney L. Wegener
Gary Williams
Jimmy A. Williams
Michael L. Wright
Rho-Colorado State
John W. Palm
Sigma-Washington State
Robert F. Felton
William C. Heinemann
Tau-Michigan State
John R. Welser
David A. Willetts
Phi-California-Davis
Wayne A. Bartholomew
Scott D. Cowan
Gary M. Cusumano
Mark T. Figone
William S. Gregory
Andrew J. Kennedy
Kenneth C. McCorkle
Rodney Y. Nishikawa
Brett E. Tank
George D. Tibbitts
Chi-Cal Poly
Ronald D. Carli
Ramon Echeverria
Jeffrey K. Sanders
Psi-Maine
Lee A. Meserve
Omega-New Hampshire
Gary P. Friars
Alpha AlphaWest Virginia
John T. Rotruck
Alpha BetaOregon State
Charles T. McElligott
Vincent T. McElligott
Alpha Gamma-Florida
Eugene C. Badger
James E. Browning
Michael A. Sumner
J. Peter Chaires
Jimmy G. Cheek
Charles W. Clemons
James C. Clinard
Jeffrey L. Cusson
Robert M. Davis
John L. Hoblick
Robert B. Hunt
Tim W. McDuffie
Charles D. Miller
Douglas C. Purvis
Keith R. Shiver
Wayne H. Simmons
Clyde S. Stephens
Richard D. Stratton
Jeffrey M. Sumner
Philip C. Visali
Matthew J. Walter
Baynard J. Ward
Roger W. Ward
William L. Wolfram
Alpha Delta-Montana State
Donald C. Anderson
Sky E. Anderson
Daniel Bergstrom
Reeves A. Brown
Frank A. Carter
Curtis R. Dassonville
Adrian L. Doucette
William M. Fluegel
Richard L. Fulton
J. Bruce Glennie
R. Mark Granberg
Bennie W. Green
Boyd A. Hardy
Karl J. Hertel
Scott R. Inbody
J. Kim Keltner
Robert L. Laidlaw
Warren M. Lee
Shane W. Lester
James M. McCray
James L. Moodie
Michael G. Montgomery
Jason M. Myers
Lane C. Nordlund
James E. Peterson
Joe M. Quinn
Robert M. Quinn
Bryan R. Ratzburg
Lon R. Reukauf
James R. Ryffel
Roger A. Sammons
Randall P. Smith
Todd E. Smith
Duane A. Van Dyke
Alpha EpsilonLousiana State
Milton J. Reese
Alpha Zeta-Kansas State
Samuel D. Brownback
Kenneth D. Buchele
Charles R. Cole
Darren K. Gigot
Michael R. Guetterman
Justin Hagedorn
Grant P. Harris
Ronald W. Hirst
W. R. Johnson
Tracy L. Mader
James R. Perkins
M. J. Riemann
John B. Roenbaugh
Jay N. Selanders
Mike K. Schmitt
Michael K. Torrey
Brent M. Wiedeman
Alpha Eta-Georgia
Jacob E. Ford
Alpha Theta-Maryland
James A. DeShazer
Harry C. Gottwals
Alpha Iota-Arkansas
Rodney D. Baker
Jerry B. Burkett
James E. Burton
Scott A. Fallen
Charles J. Farr
Thomas J. Hart
W. K. Keller
Charles R. Looney
James V. Smith
Alpha KappaTennessee-Knoxville
Donald E. Williams
Alpha LambdaNew Mexico State
Julian Garcia
Paul Gutierrez
Alpha Mu-Rutgers
Michael R. Mekenian
Alpha Nu-Connecticut
David H. Bennett
Alpha Xi-Arizona State
Craig N. Anderson
Alpha Pi-Arizona F. Ronald Rayner
Alpha Rho-Vermont
William J. Shattuck
Alpha TauWestern Illinois
Steven B. Greenfield
Mark T. Howard
Steven J. Ramp
Monty R. Teuscher
Alpha Phi-South Dakota State
John D. Borchers
Bruce V. Bot
Kevin C. Curry
Leonard S. Dankey
Todd Heine
Patrick J. Hennen
Benjamin R. Ludeman
Monte R. Mason
Gary G. Overgaard
The Harvest
James W. Randall
Stephen J. Rezac
Max R. Williams
Alpha Chi-Western Kentucky
David T. Buckingham
Alpha Psi-WisconsinRiver Falls
Gayle R. Bacon
Gary M. Beastrom
Andy F. Bensend
Lee E. Born
Kenneth E. Congdon
Matthew A. Fanta
Dennis L. Gehler
Robert H. Hintz
William E. Kelly
Andrew M. Novakovic
Clyde R. Nelson
John P. Ourada
Jerel W. Steckling
Alpha OmegaMurray State
Thomas T. Cude
Beta GammaWisconsin-Platteville
Scott A. Laufenberg
Michael A. North
Beta Delta-Illinois State
Bruce L. Attig
Beta EpsilonArkansas State
James E. Hagar
Beta Zeta-Clemson
Thad G. Boatwright
Ellie W. Green
Edwin M. Rish
Beta Kappa-Chico State
Lee E. Cole
Beta Lambda-Texas A&M-Commerce
Ben L. Scholz
Beta Sigma-Tarleton State
Michael J. Bosco
Michael B. Keith
Beta Phi-Idaho
Cody D. Park
Glenn C. Poxleitner
Norman A. Sonnen
Friends of AGR
Bruce Barber
Elaine W. Crooke
William C. Davidson
Royale Devore
Scott K. Hale
Joseph B. Hurd
K. Michael Ingram
Bill Jay
Frank C. Johns
Polly W. Johns
Susan Johnson
David P. Krenzer
Charles H. Riley
Beverly J. Rose
D. Eileen Smith
Stephanie Swannack
Heritage Club
The Heritage Club honors brothers and friends of Alpha Gamma Rho who leave a legacy for the future To Make Better Men through specific gifts or bequests of $10,000 or more to the Educational Foundation of Alpha Gamma Rho.
Alpha-Illinois
James E. Ross
Jay J. Vroom
James L. Zumwalt
Beta-The Ohio State
Kirby Barrick
Gamma-Penn State
Richard S. Carpenter
Delta-Purdue
Ted A. Priebe
Gene L. Swackhamer
Epsilon-North
Dakota State
Dale R. Carpentier
Jack Brown
Allan R. Johnson
Zeta-Cornell
Douglas J. Adams
Kevin G. Bartolotta
Gregory I. Wickham
Eta-Iowa State
Michael J. Borel
Bret R. Carter
Scott D. Flynn
Steven M. Hanson
Kenneth D. Isley
William B. Sayre
Wayne E. Tyler
David W. Van Wert
Robert C. Vasko
Arlen L. Wonderlich
Theta-Missouri
Zane V. Akins
Lynn A. Fahrmeier
Lowell F. Mohler
Daniel L. Prosser
Bradley K. Starbuck
Kappa-Nebraska
William C. Schilling
Charles E. Trauger
Lambda-Minnesota
Adam E. Manwarren
Nu-North Carollna State
Tyler B. Warren
Omicron-Kentucky
David W. Case
Glenn A. Stith
Leslie J. Stith
Pi-Oklahoma State
Scott W. Sewell
Sigma-Washington State
Doyle W. Jacklin
Phi-Univ. of California-Davis
John E. Kidd
Jeremy R. Turner
Chi-Cal Poly
Ralph E. Grossi
Ole M. Meland
Alpha BetaOregon State
Vincent T. McElligott
Alpha DeltaMontana State
James L. Driscoll
Alpha Zeta-Kansas State
Justin Hagedorn
Edwin R. Kerley
Loren J. Kruse
Warren D. Nichols
John A. Niemann
Tim E. Rosenhagen
Curtis L. Steenbock
Douglas C. Weyer
Alpha ThetaMaryland
Paul S. Weller
Alpha Iota-Arkansas
Rex A. Martin
Alpha KappaTennessee-Knoxville
John R. Tarpley
Thomas R. White
Alpha LambdaNew Mexico State
Paul Gutierrez
Alpha Rho-Vermont
Erwin C. Clark
Laurence C. Jost
Donald J. McFeeters
Alpha Tau-Western Illinois
Jeffrey L. Warner
Alpha Psi-WisconsinRiver Falls
William T. Boehm
Philip Josephson
Harland G. Schneider
Beta Delta-Illinois State
Donald J. Bumphrey
Beta Eta-Virginia Polytech
Jay S. Poole
Beta TauMississippi State
Bradley A. Garrison
Friends of AGR
Carol A. Johnson
Elizabeth Anderson
If the Educational Foundation of Alpha Gamma Rho is in your will or estate plan, scan the QR Code and notify the Home Office.
In Memory of Our Great Brothers
The Alpha Gamma Rho Home Office received reports of the following deaths between February 21,2024 and Aug. 26,2024. The listing includes initiation year.
Arizona
Glen Miller, 1996
Len Richardson, 1959
Arkansas
William Cain, 1962
Larry Davis, 1966
Roy Grimsley, 1950
Lynn Sanderson, 1972
Arkansas State
Eugene Aist, 1985
Michael Rash, 1981
Auburn
Roy Boyd, 1956
Austin Peay State
Stephen Settle, 1983
California-Davis
Whitelaw Allen, 1942
Marvin Wilson, 1958
California-Fresno
Donald Gomes, 1966
Colorado State
Randy Anderson, 1975
Connecticut
Thomas Burnham, 1958
James Shaw, 1970
Cornell
Edwin Boardman, 1955
Frederic Corell, 1953
Charles Taft, 1948
Florida
Francis Akins, 1969
Sidney Banack, 1952
Alexander Doke, 1955
Henry Douglas, 1949
William Philmon, 1950
Gilbert Tucker, 1939
Florida Southern
Spencer Holden, 2011
Georgia*
Peyton Alexander, 1965
Robert Allen, 1971
Andrew Banister,1950
James Barker, 1959
William Barr, 1941
Maynor Belcher, 1946
Gerald Belflower, 1976
Jerry Bird, 1960
Richard Bishop, 1956
James Boatright, 1965
Richard Bondy, 1968
Royce Breedlove, 1947
Jasper Bryan, 1949
Paul Bryan, 1958
Jasper Butler, 1939
Albert Camp, 1972
Thomas Cannon, 1965
James Carter, 1947
William Casey, 1970
John Chapman, 1957
John Cheezem, 1973
Michael Clark, 1973
Wade Clark, 1964
William Clifton, 1963
Charles Cook, 1969
Otis Copeland, 1946
Billie Davis, 1948
Bobbie Davis, 1948
Hamp Denney, 1950
Newman Denney, 1938
William Dixon, 1941
Herbert Dodd, 1954
Boris Doobinin, 1956
Edwin Edenfield, 1958
David Elster, 1974
David Emory, 1963
Billy English, 1952
Robert Flewellen, 1967
David Friedly, 1976
Walter Futral, 1957
R.E. Gay, 1958
Bennie Goolsby, 1955
Timothy Grimes, 1972
Darrell Gibbs, 1958
J. Gissendanner, 1949
Robert Griffis, 1960
William Gurr, 1960
Milton Hall, 1972
Edgar Hanson, 1960
Lorenzo Hamil, 1935
William Hardy, 1951
Emmett Harper, 1954
David Harrity, 1963
William Haskins, 1969
Rickard Hawkins, 1956
Thomas Haynes, 1976
Joseph Henderson, 1966
Edward Hobby, 1948
William Hogan, 1970
George Hollinshead, 1952
J. Robert Howell, 1961
Bobby Hughes, 1955
George Jackson, 1975
Joe Jackson, 1956
Richard Kauffman, 1941
Harold Kelley, 1950
France Kent, 1952
J. Kilgore, 1949
Jame Lanier, 1960
William Leonard, 1947
Arthur Long, 1970
Mark Maddox, 1970
Young Maddox, 1956
William Mathis, 1942
John McDaniel, 1959
Daniel McDonald, 1938
Andrew McKibben, 1949
Thomas Mercer, 1963
Freddie Miller, 1958
Gordon Miller, 1941
Clarence Moore, 1961
James Moore, 1963
Jackson Morgan, 1950
Calvin Murray, 1938
Charles Nash, 1970
Cyril Oakes, 1942
George Ligon O'Kelley, 1947
William Parker, 1957
John Parks, 1966
Robert Paxton, 1980
Robert Pepper, 1966
David Peterson, 1950
James Parrish, 1950
A. Reynolds, 1963
Henry Richards, 1950
Jerry Richmond, 1963
Alonzo Rigsby, 1958
Gregory Romire, 1974
Alvin Russell, 1948
Adolph Sanders, 1956
Raymond Seckinger, 1959
Herald Seigler, 1952
Morris Seymour, 1955
Thomas Shave, 1961
Jimmy Sheffield, 1961
Henry Shuman, 1968
Shelly Shuman, 1955
Thomas Sigman, 1952
George Sparrow, 1964
John Spence, 1941
Roger Thigpen,1972
Herbert Usilton, 1951
Jim Waldrop, 1975
Edward Wall, 1964
Norman Watson, 1971
Michael Welborn, 1967
William Wells, 1947
Francis White, 1951
Ed Willis, 1964
William Wolverton, 1964
John Woodson, 1955
Illinois
Donald Rice, 1954
David Ruebush, 1964
Justin Taft, 1946
James Willrett, 1979
Iowa State
Burton Behrens, 1947
Timothy Burke, 1970
Boyd Dohrmann, 1963
Herman Kastner, 1948
Luther Tweeten, 1953
Kansas State
Robert Harmon, 1969
Richard Janssen, 1960
George Wingert, 1951
Kentucky
Fletcher Clark, 1937
Timothy Henderson, 1986
Paul Rogers, 1953
Warren Wheat, 1958
Louisiana State
Adam Machowski, 2021
Sydney Grillot, 1967
Maine
Greg Alley-Violette, 1992
Clinton Cushman, 1955
E. Gallagher, 1948
Robert Maclauchlan, 1946
Frederick Turner, 1937
Louis Willcox, 1957
Michigan State
Edwin Greene, 1950
Eric Metzler, 1965
John Tomasek, 1993
Harold Weaver, 1943
Minnesota
Stanley Opitz, 1960
James Miller, 1965
Alvin Torvi, 1951
Missouri
Aubrey Conrad, 1949
Robert De Rousse, 1949
Stephen Edwards, 1978
Robert Hertzog, 1949
Robert Jackson, 1952
Robert Skidmore, 1946
Montana State
James Jenks, 1959
Wilfred Johnson, 1961
Richard Siderius, 1958
Nebraska
Jerry Carter, 1962
Gerald Dart, 1955
Dick Deets, 1955
Gerald Ehler, 1951
Floyd Keasling, 1959
Philip Starck, 1955
New Hampshire
Charles Gulick, 1953
Richard Lawrence, 1961
Edward Quinn, 1988
Roger Sanborn, 1967
North Carolina State
Willard Moore, 1967
Kim Richardson, 1965
John Taylor, 2013
North Dakota State
William Austin, 1962
Vernon Daeley, 1959
Lyle Dahlin, 1948
Gary Gibbons, 1952
C. Johnson, 1948
Leslie Nettum, 1966
Donald Walstad, 1965
Northwest Missouri State
Justin Moenkhoff, 2000
Ohio State
James Berg, 1963
Robert Bernard, 1965
Carl Boehm, 1955
Phillip Bohl, 1968
Donald Bucher, 1970
Melvin Knapp, 1959
Thomas Timmer, 1958
Oklahoma State
Ervin Pritchett, 1960
Pennsylvania State
Wilbur Avril, 1961
Thomas Boyd, 1955
John Callenbach, 1958
Charles Lechner, 1950
Robert Lindquist, 1969
James Weiler, 1956
William Yerkes, 1949
John Yocum, 1964
Purdue
Randy Cates, 1971
Edward Johnson, 1965
Leo Mann, 1956
Southern Illinois
Larry Groce, 2014
Tennessee-Knoxville
Joe Falls, 1954
Roy Hanna, 1969
Joe Harrison, 1955
Beauford Wilson, 1973
Washington State
Bradford Berry, 1961
John Bishop, 1939
West Virginia
Daniel Adkins, 2014
Craig Crimm, 1999
Jerry Gass, 1953
William Guiher, 1960
Wayne Powell, 1978
Richard Pratt, 1949
Western Illinois
Tim Engnell, 1986
Western Kentucky
William Ashby, 1968
Hurston Holt, 1966
William Norris, 1966
David Tooley, 1984
Wisconsin-Madison
Everett Chambers, 1954
Wallace Ekvall, 1942
Wesley Falk, 1958
Duane Gilliland, 1959
John Hayes, 1946
David Kellesvig, 1963
Charles Klemme, 1953
Leonard Massie, 1958
Bruce Murray, 1991
Felix Pankratz, 1943
Paul Peterson, 1949
Robert Sette, 1968
Frank Siedschlag, 1955
Richard Vilstrup, 1963
Wisconsin-River Falls
Dennis Bangart, 2000
Daniel Harvey, 1977
James Holte, 1973
Terry Kolpack, 1968
Robert Lunde, 1968
Gary Rohde, 1982
Kenneth Schoch, 1968
* U niversity of Georgia updated their records with the Home Office, causing an influx in members listed in the Transitions.
Q & AGR
Jay Vroom: A Legacy in Agricultural Leadership
Brother Jay Vroom of Alpha Chapter, IllinoisChampaign was elected Grand President during AGR’s 68th Biennial National Convention. He plans to utilize Local Chapter Excellence (LCE) to strengthen the National Fraternity from the inside out, to build a broader and better agriculture.
What has led you to want to serve your Fraternity?
Vroom’s dedication to AGR and its mission is encapsulated in his beliefs in the power AGR has to influence a young man’s life for the better.
“There are over 60,000 AGR members,” he said. “We need to find our brothers and foster engagement, whether through sweat equity or financial support. We need to keep them inspired by our purpose and the incredible foundation we provide for agriculture.”
He said AGR’s brand and its incredible heritage are a small piece of the Fraternity’s survival and development, but it comes down to the effort of every AGR member, from brothers who work for the National Fraternity, to the brothers at the chapter house working on their degree. His commitment to AGR is unwavering.
How did AGR influence your early life?
A pivotal moment in Vroom’s life came before he even entered high school. During the summer before eighth grade, a visit from Daniel Bock, an agriculture education instructor and FFA advisor, who was also a member of Alpha Chapter, set Vroom on a path that would define his future.
Bock’s encouragement led Vroom to enroll in agriculture education and join the FFA. Vroom eventually attended the University of Illinois, where he was initiated into Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity.
“AGR brothers were my brothers, the 18-man initiate class I joined was a special bond for me, individually and Collectively,” he said.
What are your goals as Grand President?
Jay Vroom’s desire to give back is fueled by a commitment to maintain the significant momentum launched by the brothers who’ve preceded him.
He emphasizes, “AGR is an engine to develop and inspire our future American Ag Leaders.”
As Grand President, Vroom took the baton from Greg Nickerson with a focus on keeping the momentum rolling forward. He said the success of AGR will be measured by LCE and raising funds for continued support for Local Chapter Excellence.
“I look forward to redoubling my efforts to support Glenn Stith and our brothers on the Foundation Board,” Brother Vroom said. “I want to help our local chapter foundations more.”
He also said he hopes to continue to build up the
“There are over 60,000 AGR members. We need to find our brothers and foster engagement ... to keep them inspired by our purpose and the incredible foundation we provide for agriculture.”
acknowledged the decrease in agriculture students on college campus where AGR has a chapter.
“LCE is our single best asset to overcome those challenges,” he said. Brother Vroom emphasized the importance of engaging and supporting chapters across the nation through LCE and more engagement with local alum chapter leaders, and more support to vital Chapter Advisers.
foundations of the National Fraternity by bringing his focus back to farmers. Brother Vroom noted farmers as the bedrock of AGR, especially those who make it their full-time career.
What challenges are you addressing?
Reflecting on the challenges ahead, Vroom
He said listening to alumni at the national and local level is key to the fraternity’s future. He noted the importance of finding ways to re-engage alumni members.
To see the full article on the new Grand President, please use this QR code to read more on the AGR website.
Cultivating Futures… Local Chapter Excellence
by Rex Martin
WERE YOU IN SACRAMENTO?
Over 400 registered were.
Did you attend one of the nine educational breakout sessions? Many did.
Maybe partake in the many tasty and drinkable California commodities at the Taste of California reception. I was pretty partial to a few of the reds.
Perhaps won an auction item at our record-breaking Bid of Better Men where $155,000 was raised..
Before that auction, we inducted two new Hall of Fame members. Will you be joining Brother Rick Carpenter and Brother Neil Fruechte someday?
Or did you attend a delegate session to help conduct business for the Fraternity including electing two new board members? John Demerly and Todd Winters.
Maybe you heard our new Grand President Jay Vroom was installed and gave an inspiring address?
Our theme for this year’s convention was “Cultivating Futures.” It was an opportunity to look back to where we started with Local Chapter Excellence (LCE) and cultivating the Top Leaders Institutes (TLI). But it was also a big celebration of the here and now. The Capital Campaign took its curtain call at the Convention. Together, the Educational Foundation of Alpha Gamma Rho raised $20 million dollars! Thank you to all our many donors who continue to support our collegiate brothers!
We had many Alumni leaders come in early for the Convention to do a special one-day training on strategic planning. Every chapter over the next 2-3 years will go through strategic planning which is a part of the AGR LCE playbook. After 2-3 years, those chapters will do it again. If you think about it, this makes perfect sense. With that period of time,
there has been significant turnover in the chapter which means new leaders should develop or refine their strategic plan.
Now the Convention is over, and a new semester begins. This fall’s recruitment of good men is critical to each chapter. Recruitment should be a collaborative effort between the chapter and our alumni. Classes and campus activities give us the opportunity to excel and be leaders at our respective colleges. Time moves forward and the smell of hot dogs and burgers before Homecoming gives way to final exams and before you know it the semester is over. Don’t let it pass too soon. Take every opportunity to be at your very best. If you are an alumnus, take every opportunity to engage our collegiate brothers whether at your home chapter or a chapter near where you live.
I am reminded of an old REO Speedwagon song:
“So if you’re tired of the same old story
Oh, turn some pages, I’ll be here when you are ready
To roll with the changes!”
We have won three major awards for our Capital Campaign and our Top Leaders Institute as recognized by the North American Interfraternity Conference and the Foundation of Fraternal Excellence. After the great California Convention, a very successful Capital Campaign, and the Nationwide Roll out of Top Leaders Institutes. I think that song says it all!
We commit to our collegiate brothers that LCE is just the beginning. We are on a roll! Enjoy your Fall! See you in Louisville in 2026!
Time moves forward and the smell of hot dogs and burgers before Homecoming gives way to final exams and before you know it the semester is over. Don’t let it pass too soon.
Promoting Inter-Chapter Relationships
BROTHER WILLIAM ‘BILL’ SAYRE WAS INITIATED into the Eta Chapter at Iowa State University in 1943 and was deeply involved within the Fraternity on multiple levels including serving as Grand President and a Director on The Educational Foundation of Alpha Gamma Rho. Throughout his involvement, Brother Sayre was passionate about interacting with members of all ages and understood the important impact AGR’s brotherhood has on its members only increases when relationships can be developed across multiple chapters. The Sayre Fund was established for this precise purpose: to promote educational, social and leadership number of cross-chapter collaborations. From the creation of the AGR BBQ Competition, a Northeast Area Shootout, professional development tours across the state of Arizona, the Fraternity’s increased presence at National FFA Convention, Texas AGR chapter retreats, and many other worthwhile endeavors. The spirit of Brother Sayre’s desire to grow strong senses of fraternalism and pride in AGR can be seen throughout the projects being funded. Chapters can still take advantage of Sayre Grants throughout the year.
The impact AGR’s brotherhood has on its members only increases when relationships can be developed across multiple chapters.
Apply for a Sayre Grant to host an inter-chapter event here:
2025 DATES AND LOCATIONS:
Top Leaders Institute
Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity held it’s first nation-wide Top Leaders Institute from January 12 to February 3, 2024. The award-winning program required all newly elected chapter officers to attend one Institute. Brothers focused on individual leadership skills, how to navigate difficult conversations and specific officer responsibilities.
The results spoke for themselves as attendees and supporters felt the impacts of these trainings on brothers
skills, knowledge and confindence in personal leadership behavior, officer responsibilities and strong communication methods during challenging conversations.
8 locations
4 67 Chapter Officers in attendance
62 Alumni representatives, Chapter Advisers and Housemothers/House Directors in attendance
Albany, NY
January 24-25, 2025
Reno, NV
January 10-11, 2025
Kansas City, MO
January 17-18, 2025
Dallas, TX
January 17-18, 2025
Chicago, IL
January 24-25, 2025
Atlanta, GA
January 10-11, 2025