THE LAST PASS

Why Greek? Why AGR?

(I WILL TELL YOU WHY!)

By Rex Martin

AS UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES OPEN THEIR DOORS

to a more “normal” fall, new students will look for opportunities to find their place on campus. For many men, they may think about Greek recruitment and becoming a fraternity brother. There are a lot of questions they may ask themselves. There are a lot of questions their Parents might also be asking. I know there has been plenty of negative news about being in a fraternity. It would only make sense you go into this decision with much forethought.

As you might have read earlier in the Sickle & Sheaf, recently one of the most comprehensive research studies ever conducted on Greek life, was just completed. Why Greek? This is what we found out:

„ Affiliated alumni had great experiences

in college.

h They were nearly four times as likely to have all six of the key support and experiential learning experiences (such as a mentor who encouraged them).

„ They felt more connected to their schools. h Affiliated alumni are more likely to strongly agree their education was worth the cost and they are more likely to donate to their institution.

„ Affiliated alumni get great jobs. h Over half had a job waiting when they graduated or within two months. h Four in 10 say a member of their fraternity or sorority helped them find an internship or a job. h Affiliated alumni are more satisfied with their lives .

„ We are five times more likely than

non-affiliated alumni to rate our present lives a 10 on a 10-point scale.

Here is the polling number I like the most. 84% of affiliated alumni said they would do it all over again!

Why AGR? We know since 1904 we are Making Better Men. As I travel the country, I see the amazing strength of brotherhood among our collegiate members. It got them through a very difficult year. It will help them through future years. AGRs are leaders at their colleges. AGRs get the best internships and the best first jobs in many of their ag and agrelated sciences. Fraternity members have higher GPAs than unaffiliated students, and AGRs are usually near or at the top of fraternities in this category.

I know what a positive experience being an AGR was for me. It was a place to call home with brothers who had similar values. I also know what a difference it has made to me after college. I have worked with AGRs throughout my career. That network of brothers has never let me down and I am very grateful for it.

When I am together with AGRs who have had a long successful career, they still enjoy the bonds and the relationships that only an AGR brother knows. Why AGR? I can’t imagine not being an AGR. As we say, it is four years and a lifetime. I would not have it any other way.

84% of affiliated alumni said they would do it all over again!

To learn more the new Gallup survey on fraternity and sorority membership, visit the NIC website: bit.ly/3umySPE

BROTHER FRANK E. MULLEN IS

known throughout Alpha Gamma Rho as one of the top broadcasters in the nation. After his time at Iowa State University, where he was part of Eta Chapter in 1920, he served as the Director of NBC’s Farm and Home Hour, the first national farm radio program to air. Brother Mullen is also known for serving as the Director and Later President of the North American Interfraternity Conference, formerly known as the National Interfraternity Council, when he was in office.

Because of his tireless work to advance the Greek experience, even during the 1920's and 1930's, Brother Mullen is responsible for creating the National Interfraternity Conference Decalog of Fraternity Policy. This guiding document still found within the AGR Golden Crescent, laid out the founding principles for what we know today at the NIC.

Brother Mullen’s broadcasting career in TV and radio shines through in his speech given during World War II at the Annual Convention of Alpha Gamma Rho in 1942.

“This fraternity of ours has for its purpose the Making of Better Men. We are unique in that our organization is a professional as well as a social fraternity. Two influences work continuously on Alpha Gamma Rho men to make them leaders — the college influence which trains us in agriculture, and therefore gives us a head start on the untrained man; and the fraternal influence which operates to make us socially minded in our communities.”

His words speak for not only the era they were written for, but for all eras after him. Brother Mullen’s influence on AGR, including it receiving the national status it carries today, ripples through generations of AGR brothers.

Brother Mullen was inducted into AGR’s Hall of Fame in 1978 and was recognized as a Brother of the Century in 2004.

SAVE THE DATE

2022 National Convention / July 27-29 Hilton Milwaukee City Center; Milwaukee, WI

Don’t miss the opportunity to attend the now in-person National Convention and reconnect with brothers after a long awaited four years. The 2022 National Convention will maintain the theme used in the 2020 Virtual National Convention of Find Your Forward. It will be held in downtown Milwaukee near the River Walk, the Milwaukee Public Market and more!

Brothers will have the opportunity to network with other AGRs and agricultural businesses from across the country at the Career Fair. Witness the 2022 Hall of Fame inductions and explore the Milwaukee area.

We look forward to seeing you there! Save the date and start planning your trip to “The Other Coast.” Take advantage of National Convention and all of its opportunities to Find Your Forward in July 2022.

Visit www.alphagammarho.org/events