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Texas AGR Retreat Four Years Later
by Cody Lane
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In early January, undergraduate and alumni brothers from ten di erent chapters across the country gathered at the 4P Game Ranch in Hico, TX for the 4th Annual Texas AGR Retreat. This retreat has been held every January since 2017. The retreat was a vision fi rst developed at the 2016 National Convention in Omaha, NE between Donald DeJong, Chi Chapter (Cal Poly-SLO) Alumnus and Educational Foundation Director and Cody Lane, Beta Sigma Chapter (Tarleton State)Alumnus and Regional Vice President. After discussing the idea with all the chapters at the Convention, the plan was put into place to meet for a two-day retreat early each year after the new o cers are elected and before the spring semester starts. The group wanted the six Texas chapters to work more hand and hand throughout the year on recruitment, membership development and alumni engagement statewide. Through the years they have tackled other areas of interest like: AGRconnect, Fraternal Excellence Awards, attending the Texas FFA Convention and other brotherhood ideas. In more recent years Donald DeJong has chal
lenged each chapter monetarily with goal setting sessions which included completing AGRconnect modules, applying for Educational Foundation scholarships and Fraternity Awards. In the four years since it’s humble beginnings, the retreat has brought over a hundred brothers together in the Making of Better Men. Grant Bargfrede, Senior Director of Operations and Thomas Schwarz, Educational Leadership Consultant, with the AGR Home O ce to help educate the group on ways the Fraternity can help the chapters strive to become better.
This event was made possible by a Sayre Grant within the Educational Foundation of Alpha Gamma Rho. Lane says “Bringing all the Texas chapters together to help promote brotherhood, fellowship and the Fraternity was the vision Brother Bill Sayre had when he gave the money to develop the grants, he would be proud of what has been done over the last four years.” Without the kind gesture from David DeJong, a Chi Chapter Alumnus allowing us to gather at his ranch this wouldn’t have been possible. We look forward to many more years to come.
Change-Maker
IMAGES COURTESY OF WESTFIELD STATE UNIVEIRSITY
WESTFIELD STATE UNIVERSITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES APPOINTS DR. ROY H. SAIGO AS INTERIM PRESIDENT
The Westfield State University Board of Trustees Chair Kevin Queenin announced the Board has selected distinguished educator Roy H. Saigo, Ph.D., to serve as the University’s interim president for the 2020-21 academic year. Brother Saigo will begin in his position in late July.
Roy Saigo was initiated into the Phi Chapter at University of California at Davis in 1959 where he served as Vice Noble Ruler. He earned a B.A. degree in Biological Sciences from University of California at Davis, then his Ph.D. in Botany and Plant Pathology from Oregon State University.
Most recently, he served as the president of Southern Oregon University (SOU), his third presidential position. During more than 50 years in higher education, he has also served in the roles of professor, dean, provost and vice president for academic and student affairs, and chancellor.
Prior to leading SOU, he spent seven years as president of Saint Cloud State University in Minnesota. During his time there he increased enrollment, earned accreditation for all programs, increased diversity, and gained national recognition for addressing the issue of racism in the use of nicknames, logos, and mascots for NCAA athletics. He also affirmed or initiated agreements with universities in Chile, China, Japan, Korea, and South Africa.
Saigo taught in the Biology Department at the University of Wisconsin- Eau Claire for 17 years which included nine years as either Assistant to the Dean or Assistant Dean in the School of Arts and Sciences. He later served as Dean of the College of Natural Sciences at the University of Northern Iowa, Provost and Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs at Southeastern Louisiana University and Chancellor at Auburn University Montgomery.
Dr. Saigo is regarded as a change-maker throughout his career in higher education. In the official Westfield State University press release, he is quoted saying, “I am enthusiastic about this appointment and looking forward to working collaboratively with the leadership team, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and trustees to respond to the challenges facing the institution.”
Brotherhood is Not Canceled
COVID-19 HAS CHANGED OUR WAY OF LIFE, BUT BROTHERHOOD REMAINS
This year marked a new chapter in members’ personal and collective histories as the new Coronavirus spread through the United States and the world. Universities closed and sent our 3,000 collegiate members home to complete their academic studies from a Zoom account. Greek life experiences were altered, and brothers began connecting through virtual experiences rather than in-person celebrations of Founders’ Day or through philanthropy projects. As group gathering restrictions and social distancing guidelines were put in place to help decrease the spread of the virus, Alpha Gamma Rho events, including our 2020 National Convention were canceled, or changed to a virtual experience. Throughout it all, brothers were still working livestock or harvesting crops, and working through the difficulties that arose. Brothers were working on the frontlines as healthcare workers and essential employees and others transitioned to remote work.
Despite the change and despite the cancellations, the brotherhood of Alpha Gamma Rho has remained. The ties that bond brothers together across locations and generations cannot be removed during a pandemic, but instead should be strengthened. As we hold out for our next in-person meeting, remember it’s through the fellowship of brotherhood that members are able to be resourceful and resilient.
2020 Grand President’s Award Winners
FOUR OUTSTANDING BROTHERS WERE SELECTED TO RECEIVE THE 2020 ALPHA GAMMA RHO GRAND PRESIDENT’S AWARD.
Administered and nominated by a selection committee, the Grand President’s Award is given to AGR alumni, age 40 or younger, who have achieved success in their professional careers and made signifi cant contributions to agriculture and Alpha Gamma Rho. The award demonstrates an honorable acknowledgement of the recipient’s exceptional brotherhood, leadership, professionalism and knowledge of his industry.
Eric Peterson, Josh Roe, Aaron Lower and Brady Sidwell were honored at the four 2020 Leadership Seminars in St. Louis, Reno, Atlanta and Baltimore. Each recipient refl ected on the opportunities Alpha Gamma Rho a orded them and the lessons they learned as undergraduates and beyond.
For more information, or to nominate a brother for a future award, visit alphagammarho. org/grandpresident-award
Dr. Aaron Lower ILLINOIS
Dr. Aaron Lower completed his bachelor’s degree in animal sciences from the University of Illinois and D.V.M. from the University of Illinois- College of Veterinary Medicine in 2009. Within the swine industry, he has been recognized as an emerging leader. He was awarded the Young Swine Veterinarian of the Year Award in 2014 and the Outstanding Young Alumni at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in 2018.
During his time at the University of Illinois Brother Lower was initiated into the Alpha Chapter in 2001 and later served his chapter as the Vice Noble Ruler of Planning and as Noble Ruler in 2004. As an alumnus, he has served as an Adviser to the Alpha Chapter from 2011 to 2018 and on the Fund Advisory Committee.
Dr. Lower is the President of Carthage
Veterinary Service, Ltd (CVS) and is based in Champaign, Illinois. Ten of CVS’s 14 veterinarians provide consultations to independent swine producers and production systems throughout the United
States, the Americas and Asia. The practice has an active research division,
Carthage Innovative Swine Solutions (CISS) which has published fi ndings from health and nutrition trials implemented throughout the industry today.
Eric Peterson IOWA STATE
Eric Peterson is President of Summit Agricultural Group, a diverse farming, agricultural investment and farm management company based in Alden, Iowa. In his role as President, Eric is responsible for management of the group’s farm operations, agricultural investment funds and farm management services. He rose up in the company since starting as a Business Analyst in 2007, progressing to General Manager in 2008 and promoted to President in 2010.
In addition to his work at Summit, Eric still fi nds time to give back to his alma mater. He serves on the Advisory Board of the Iowa State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. From 2011 to 2017, he served on the nine-member governor-appointed board of the Iowa Finance Authority, the state’s housing and fi nance agency.
Eric graduated from Iowa State University in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Business with a minor in Entrepreneurial Studies. He was a 2003 initiate of the Eta Chapter and served in various o cer positions during his time as a collegiate member.
Eric has remained involved with the chapter since graduating, having served on the Eta Alumni Corporation Board from 2008-2011, as well as the Eta 100 Year Anniversary Celebration Committee member and on the Eta 2017 Expansion Committee and Capital Campaign Committee.
Eric was raised on his family’s farm near Fargo, North Dakota and today lives in Roland, Iowa with his wife, Michaela, and their two children.
The Grand President’s Award is presented to outstanding Fraternity alumni age 40 or younger who have achieved remarkable success in their professional careers and made great contributions to agriculture and Alpha Gamma Rho.
Corporate Partners
Josh Roe is a native of north central Kansas where he was raised on a family crop and cattle operation he plays an active role in managing today. Josh represents the seventh generation in his family to own and operate the farm. He is also a co-founder of Roots and Legacies consulting.
He was an active FFA member in high school serving as a chapter and district o cer. In 1999 Brother Roe was initiated into the Alpha Zeta Chapter at Kansas State University and later served as Vice Noble Ruler of Finance during his time as an undergraduate. He graduated in 2003 and holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Agricultural Economics from Kansas State and Iowa State University, respectively.
Currently Josh serves as the Vice President for Market Development and Public Policy for Kansas Corn Growers Association. He previously worked for the Kansas Department of Agriculture as Deputy Secretary of Agriculture. His specialties include economic impact modeling, agricultural fi nance and taxation, farm management and bio-fuel economics.
Josh has served the Alpha Zeta Chapter as an Adviser since 2004 and thoroughly enjoys staying involved with the chapter.
In 2000, Brady Sidwell was initiated into the Pi Chapter at Oklahoma State University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Economics with a focus on International Marketing. As a Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholar to China, Brady obtained a Master of Economics degree from the University of Hong Kong.
Brother Sidwell is the Founder and President of Sidwell Strategies, Enterprise Grain Company, Enterprise Grain Malt, Sidwell Solutions, Sidwell Seed, 81 Feed and Seed, Sidwell Transport, Arbitrage αlpha Solutions and co-founder of Enid Brewing Company. He is also a Limited Partner and member of the Advisory Board of Germin8 Ventures, a Food Tech Venture Capital fi rm based out of Chicago, and a founding partner of Ninja Ag, LLC, a precision agriculture technology business that creates variable-rate nutrient applications from corrected NDVI imagery. Mr. Sidwell was recently appointed to the Board of Directors of the Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank, Oklahoma City Branch.
Prior to becoming an entrepreneurial business owner and commodity broker, Brady worked in a variety of capacities across the globe advancing agribusiness and global markets.
Brady resides in Goltry, Oklahoma with his wife Emily. He is active in his community as a Rotarian, Ambucs member, Advisory Board and Investment Committee Member of the Cherokee Strip Community Foundation, Class 31 of Leadership Oklahoma and the Board of Governors of the Oklahoma State University Foundation. AGR is committed to o ering opportunities to connect for members and corporations in the dynamic global agriculture and food industries. Thank you to our Corporate Partners for support of our Purpose!
Josh Roe KANSAS STATE
Brady Sidwell OKLAHOMA STATE
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Want to see your company added to our list? Visit alphagammarho.org/corporatepartners for information on how to become a Corporate Partner.
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Alpha Gamma Rho: Social/ Professional Ag, Food, Fiber, & Life Sci. Fraternity
This eight-man council works alongside many of AGR’s National Leaders to review and discuss issues and trends on a National Fraternity and Greek-wide level. Additionally, the Council will o er their opinions and suggestions on the direction of the Fraternity, attend National Board Meetings and serve as an Ambassador for AGR. The Council holds four regionally selected members and four at large members. The four returning to the Collegiate Advisory Council are Sam Laneve, Travis McMillan, Luis Mendoza and Matthew Schorner. The four newly selected are:
Michael Albright
OKLAHOMA STATE
Michael Albright grew up in Stillwater, Oklahoma and graduated from Stillwater High School in 2018. In August of 2018, Michael entered Oklahoma State University majoring in accounting and fi nance and joined Pi Chapter. Since starting at Oklahoma State, Brother Albright has served the chapter as the Dad’s Day committee chair and worked on the Finance Committee. He currently serves as VNR Scholarship and is involved on campus with the President’s Leadership Council, Business Student Council, Student Senate, Mortar Board, Order of Omega, School of Business Ambassadors, Phi Kappa Phi and the Student Government Association. Michael enjoys volunteering with the Mock Trial team at the local high school and judging debate competitions in his spare time.
Austin Gilliard
NORTH CAROLINA STATE
Austin is a senior at North Carolina State University. He was initiated into the Nu Chapter in January of 2018. He served the chapter in 2019 as the VNR of Alumni Relations and played a key role in planning Nu Chapter’s Centennial Celebration. Austin is an agricultural business management major with minors in agricultural entrepreneurship and crop science. On campus, Austin has been a member of the Dean’s Student Council for two years and served as chairman for the 2019-2020 school year. He also served as an ambassador for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Austin held an internship with Smithfi eld Grain in the summer of 2019 and in the summer of 2020, he is interning with John Deere. From his experience growing up on a family farm in the long-term Austin hopes to serve rural communities as an agricultural attorney.
Jake Hlas
IOWA STATE
Jake Hlas is a member of Eta Chapter at Iowa State University and is majoring in agriculture & society and animal science. Jake grew up on a purebred cattle operation in Central Iowa and still participates in the day to day operations. He was an Iowa FFA State O cer in 2018-2019 and is serving as his chapter’s Social Media Chair. Currently he is a member of the Iowa State University Livestock Judging Team. His future plans include seeking a career in agricultural policy or sales, while continuing his family’s cattle operation.
Austin Werner
MINNESOTA
Austin is a senior at the University of Minnesota where he is studying neuroscience. He was raised on a small hobby farm in Caledonia, Minnesota. In high school, Brother Werner was involved in 4-H and FFA, showing hogs and judging livestock. He worked at Hendel Dairy Farms with one of the owners, Matt Hendel, who is a brother from the Lambda Chapter. It was through Matt Hendel and Austin’s brother Luke that he was able to fi nd Alpha Gamma Rho. Since his initiation in 2017, Austin has served as VNR Scholarship and VNR Membership Development.
