U n i v e r s i t y o f I l l i n o i s Fa r m H o u s e

FarmSteadA lot has been happening around FarmHouse in the last year. Last summer, the house underwent a facelift that touched up some of the areas that were beginning to show a little wear. Among the updates were new carpeting in the hallways, the professional painting of the first floor and all hallways, and new tile in the vestibule. All of these improvements have helped the house look better than ever. The undergrad members of FarmHouse are honored to have an alumni base who wants to take an active role with the house. In addition, the current members have also invested in some additional amenities to make living at FarmHouse even more comfortable. With the help of the Mom’s Association, we purchased a new basketball hoop for the parking lot and a surround sound system for the living room. The members asked for the new hoop after the previous one had begun to break and could no longer be used safely. Now with the weather warming up, the new basketball hoop can almost

always be seen with a few guys playing a pick up game or just hanging out. The surround sound system came as a request by some of the guys as the living room became a commonplace to watch movies at night or on the weekends. A unique feature of the surround sound system was that the speakers were all recessed into the walls to save space and maintain appearance. In the future, we hope that we can organize “movie nights” for the guys to all take a break from studying and enjoy each other’s company.

FarmHouse Updates

Summer 2010

These are just some of the changes that have been occurring in the past year with more planned for the future. If you ever find yourself in Champaign, we encourage you to stop by and take a look at the updates. The current members are always excited to meet alumni and show them around the house. Fraternally, Zach Beever (’11)

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President’s ReportThe

by Andy Brantner (‘06, Champaign, IL)President Illinois FarmHouse Alumni Association

Greetings FarmHouse Alumni Family & Friends,

My name is Andy Brantner and I am the new President of the Illinois FarmHouse Alumni Association. I graduated in 2006 with a degree in Environmental Sciences from the College of ACES and am currently employed by the United States Department of Agricultural, working for the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). I now reside in Champaign with my wife Amanda, but grew up in Dixon, IL. Some may recognize my last name, as my dad, Rick Brantner, is a 1976 alumni. Chris Eckert has passed the gavel to me as the association president and I look forward to the opportunities, challenges and responsibilities the position presents. I wanted to share a few thoughts I had while attending the “40’s Era Alumni Event” in Decatur, IL this past May. It was true brotherhood which I witnessed among these gentlemen! Seeing their excitement and enthusiasm for one another and how each shared stories from FarmHouse, as well as from their lives. All attendees enjoyed the company of one another and fellowship was shared by all. I encourage other alumni to initiate and share in this brotherhood. It doesn’t have to be a formal dinner, just a simple phone call or email, or maybe a small gathering with your pledge brothers to see what’s new in their lives.

I wish all alumni and their families a safe and enjoyable summer.

GO ILLINI!

Andy Brantner

August 19th

New Member Move-in

October 23rd Homecoming

Illinois vs. Indiana @ 11am (FarmHouse activities will

be distributed later)

NovemberPhone-a-Thon

**If you have any other datesor news for future FarmSteads

please email them to:

Niewold@illinoisalumni.org

or mail to:

Greg Niewold 821 E First St.

Gibson City, IL 60936

SAVETHE

DATE!

Alumni News

Agrandreunionofthe“40’sVintageFarmHouseMen”washeldinDecaturonMay5th2010.LorenBeal,WarrenBerner,andKenGordonhostedtheeventattheDecaturClub.AlumniAssociationAndyBrantnerandAlumniSecretaryDaleKellermanwerepresenttobringusuptodateonthedoingsoftheAssociation.CraigHoganandMarkSmithfromtheActiveChapteralsogavebriefreportsonthecurrenteventsoftheChapter.Eachofthe22menpresentmadecommentsabouthisactivitiesandfamily.Overall,itwasanenjoyabledayofcamaraderieforeveryone,andit’smyrecommendationtohavesuchaneventonanannualbasis.

RespectfullySubmitted,KenGorden

40’s FH Vintage Men Standing from left: Andy Brantner, Don Wilken, John Albin, Gene Mitchell, Harold Steele, Roger Hemken, Bob Mulch, Jim Shoger, Max Fulling, Harold Guither, Francis Vercler, Warren Berner, FH active student.

Seated from left: John Behrens, Wilbert Stevenson, Dean Urick, George Myers, Loren Beal, Ralph Dralle, Ken Gorden, Rolf Vogen, Neal Noland, Bob Henneger, Bob Loitz.

40’s Vintage FarmHouse Men

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Chapter News

s each school year ends, FarmHouse finds its members undertaking many adventures. Seniors graduate and begin jobs, while the rest of the members scramble to find summer jobs and internships. However, in the past few years, members of FarmHouse have been choosing a different option: Study Abroad. As the world begins to shrink in size, international experience is becoming one of the best “stand

outs” for a college student to have on their resume. As men of FarmHouse, we have not let this opportunity slip by and have been actively participating in many of the University of Illinois study abroad programs. In the summer of 2008, I personally took advantage of one of the many available study abroad opportunities. I joined a 6 week study abroad program through IPENG. IPENG focuses on study abroad experiences for engineering students. While in Spain I stayed with a host family in Madrid for 4 weeks and took classes at the University of Pontificias, Madrid. The classes were in Spanish and focused on the language and culture. The classes really worked on getting us out and about and using the language in Spain. Not only did I learn a lot about Spain’s history, government, language, and modern culture through this experience, but I also was able to travel each week to see what lay beyond Madrid. I went to Barcelona, Cadiz, Seville, Cordoba, and Grenada. In each of the cities our culture professor had given the University of Illinois students things that were a must-see. Some of these included famous museums (the Prado, Gaudi Park), bullfights, historical architecture (the Alhambra Palace), and modern attractions (the Barcelona Aquarium). After classes had ended, I even had the opportunity to travel with another student from the University of Illinois to Lisbon, Portugal for a week. Study abroad experiences are becoming very popular and should be considered by every college student who has the opportunity. While my experience is irreplaceable to me, many other FarmHouse members can vouch for their own trips as well. Since I finished my Freshman year in 2008 at the University of Illinois, over 11 FarmHouse men from the University of Illinois Chapter have gone to over 10 different countries. All of the students who participated in a study abroad program have great things to say about each of their experiences. In the future, studying in a different country will become more critical than ever, but as men of FarmHouse we have already begun to realize the importance of international experience and will continue to take advantage of study abroad programs.

FarmHouse “International”

HereisasampleofsomeoftheplacesthatFarmHousemembershavebeen:Michael Benson, Cody Postin, Mark Baker, Jared Brown

Jamaica, Summer 2009, 2 week ACES freshman discovery courseScott Baker

Netherlands, Spring Semester 2009, Research Assistant at an Animal Research Facility

Zach BeeverChina, Summer 2010, 2 week International Business Study

South Africa, Summer 2008, 3 Week African Wildlife Study Abroad

Aaron BookBrazil, January 2010, 2 week study abroad about Agriculture in South America

Jordan TateBelgium, France, Germany, Netherlands, Spring 2009, 2 week International Business Study

Levi DeSutterSpain, Summer 2008, 6 week engineering study abroad

Jason BussSouth Africa, Summer 2008, 4 week design engineering study abroad

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Alumni News

Q: Tom, how are you involved with the FarmHouse Alumni Association?A: In December 2008 I joined the Alumni Board as Treasurer, and continue in that role today. During the spring of 2009 the Board decided to complete some deferred maintenance and upgrading of the house. Having owned and managed apartments and rental properties for over 20 years, I volunteered to assist Andy Brantner, board member officially designated to oversee that activity. I am continuing through this summer with maintenance assistance.Q: What is your history with FarmHouse?A: I came to FarmHouse via a different route than most of you. In 1975, during my early years as Professor of Agricultural Finance at the University of Illinois, an invitation to join the FarmHouse Brotherhood was extended to me. My thanks goes to Kevin Olson, Bruce Jones, Jeff Koch, and other actives at

Getting to know your Alumni BoardDR. THOMAS L. FREY, TREASURER OF THE ILLINOIS FARMHOUSE ASSOCIATION

the time, unknown to me, for paving the way for my induction into The FarmHouse Fraternity. The transfer to Alumni status was immediate.Q: We understand you quickly became involved with the House. How so?A: First, let me say I did not take FarmHouse membership lightly. Each of us who accept FarmHouse membership has high ideals and expectations to live up to. This is a life-long commitment. Like many of you I was prepared to give back as an Alumni member and thus contributed my financial expertise in the late ‘70’s to help FarmHouse expand into the House it is today. It was especially humbling to be recognized with the Darl A. Snyder Award in 1980. Later, I served on the Illinois FarmHouse Foundation Board. In my academic work in the late ‘80’s I was doing seminars on Personal Financial Planning and worked with the active chapter and with

FarmHouse International with presentations on helping actives develop their own Personal Financial Plans.Q: What prompted your return for further service in 2008?A: Several things. First, I was asked to join the board and assume Treasurer duties. With my interest in finance and accounting it seemed to be a good fit. Secondly, it was at a time when I was considering an expansion of volunteer activity. Thirdly, I have much respect for the FarmHouse tradition of excellence and for the many FarmHouse Men I have been privileged to know. The opportunity for one more tour of duty became attractive—another chance to help enrich the opportunity FarmHouse offers for men to build on the core values of integrity, fairness, courage and trust, along with furthering the reputation for ethical behavior and responsibility.Q: Any closing thoughts?

A: We owe a debt of gratitude to the Founding Fathers of our nation as well as to the Founders of FarmHouse Fraternity. In both cases our founders were grounded in principle, high moral character and dedication that pervades through time. Great institutions don’t just magically appear and continue to serve us through time. They are built and maintained with sweat, blood, tears, persistence and vision that goes well beyond “self.” High moral character and integrity of the highest level form the bedrock. Who else will assure the FarmHouse experience if not we alumni?

ILLINOIS CHAPTERFarmHouse FraternityP.O. Box 2588Champaign, IL 61825

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