Summer 2014

Gamma Brother, Farmer, Penn State Trustee...2

Donor Spotlight...2

Riding High...3

Volunteer Spotlight...4

Fraternity Membership Linked to Higher Well-Being...4

Honors & Awards...5

From the Grand President...6

Take Your Pic[k]...6

On the Move...7

Bid for Better Men Auction...Back

nce every two years, brothers from around the country gather to celebrate and reflect upon Alpha Gamma Rho’s past and take a

look into its exceedingly bright future. They seize a city, take over a particular venue, and spend several sum-mer days learning, discussing and engaging in brother-hood, fellowship and just plain fun. In these respects, this year’s National Convention will not be unlike any Convention in years past. With various educational ses-sions planned, there will be learning. With an agenda of Fraternity business to attend to, there will be discussing. And with many exciting activities planned and time for socializing and networking, there will be brotherhood, fellowship and a lot of just plain fun.

This year, however, there are several particularly spe-cial milestones to reflect upon and an especially exciting AGR endeavor to continue introducing. As we “Bring it Home” to Indianapolis, Ind., the birthplace of our National Fraternity, 110 years after the local Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity was founded on Ohio State’s campus and 106 years after members from Alpha Gamma Rho and Delta Rho Sigma met at the Claypool Hotel to draw up and sign our original constitution, we take a bold step into the future of AGR.

In 1908, the founding members of our National Fra-ternity discussed how this new professional agricultural

fraternity would be structured and governed. Penned onto paper

watermarked “Old Deerfield Bond” were articles out-lining chapter establish-ment, creating a badge consisting of a sheaf of wheat and sickle, and naming the pink rose as

Convention 2014celebrating the past, looking to the future

O the Fraternity’s flower. Much of what’s held in the origi-nal constitution still applies to AGR today, showing that those in attendance in 1908 could see beyond the imme-diate and were creating an organization with longevity.

In 2014, our members will be discussing new scholar-ship standards including higher minimum GPA require-ments and considering a policy supporting open expan-sion of AGR chapters on their campuses. They’ll also be learning that, through technology, the fu-ture of AGR starts with AGRconnect.

We are now entering the third year of our lifelong electronic-learning and personal-development initiative, AGRconnect. New content via courses, modules, docu-ments and other uploads is being updated and added con-sistently to meet our unique and ever-changing needs. Any AGR learner can have access to this content day or night, 365 days out of the year. From officer directories to chapter documents and courses covering career planning to risk management, brothers from all AGR chapters are now more connected and well-equipped than ever before through the capabilities of AGRconnect.

During the Convention, all in attendance will have the opportunity to be officially “trained” in AGRconnect by making a stop by the AGRconnect booth. This training is not only essential for the collegiate members who are putting AGRconnect to work on their local campuses, but also for the alumnus who may not yet be familiar with the resources available. Additionally, an engaging and in-depth workshop will explore scenarios in which AGRconnect can be of use to brothers of all ages and levels of involvement.

We invite all brothers to join us in India-napolis to celebrate our rich history and to step forward into the future of Alpha Gam-ma Rho. Like the meeting in 1908, the 2014 National Convention is sure to provide a great course for our Fraternity in the years ahead. For more information and to register, visit alphagammarho.org/events.

oung men choose to join fraternities for many reasons — for the networking opportunities, as a resume booster, to

make their new campus smaller. But, in the case of Penn State (Gamma) alumnus Keith Masser, joining a fraternity was all to win a date with his future wife, Helen. Masser became an AGR after making a deal with Gamma upperclassman John Tallman. John would set Keith up on a date with his sister, and in exchange, Keith would join the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity. Both ends of the deal worked out pretty well for Masser. Within 18 months, Keith and Helen were married, and Keith has remained a devoted member of Gam-ma Chapter and the Alpha Gamma Rho Frater-nity since joining in 1970.

“Fraternity life provides a unique experience for young men in their college years in manag-ing a business of their own and building bonds of friendship at the same time,” Masser said. “Meet-ing my wife was a great part of Alpha Gamma Rho, but being in the Chapter also gave me a great sense of pride because of AGR’s agricul-tural roots and the importance of the ag industry to our country’s future. Being surrounded with a brotherhood of shared values and lack of entitle-ment philosophy helped me as well.”

After graduat-ing from Penn State with a degree in Ag-ricultural Engineer-ing, Masser took a job with Procter & Gamble as a project engi-neer. When he and his wife started their family,

however, they decided to change careers in order to raise their kids in a family-farm environment with ex-tended family nearby. They went back to Keith’s agriculture roots and joined his family’s potato-farm-ing operation, Ster-man Masser Inc.

In 1984, Keith and Helen purchased the business and have worked to grow the farm to a total of 5000 acres with potatoes, cash grain and hay being produced. The company’s potato packaging and ware-house operations pack and distribute more than 300 million pounds of po-tatoes each year. The success they’ve seen is still what motivates Masser to get up in the morning. “I

am thrilled to be part of a great fam-ily agricultural enterprise and enjoy being part of its growth,” he said.

Over the years, the Gamma Chapter and the Penn State Uni-versity have also become a fam-ily affair for Masser, with his son,

David Masser, joining the Gamma Chapter in the fall of 1994. Additionally, Helen was a little

sister at Gamma Chapter and earned her degree in Health and Nutrition from Penn State. Mass-er’s daughter, Julie, earned her undergraduate degree in Agricultural Engineering, a Master degree in Structural Engineering and an MBA — all from Penn State as well.

Masser said that he feels privileged to have experienced Penn State from many different vantage points. “As a first-generation college student, Penn State transformed my life through an outstanding education, career opportunities and exceptional support,” he said. “As a busi-ness owner, I have worked with Penn State to

DONORSPOTLIGHT

I credit AGR with teaching me the meaning of brotherhood, cooperation and daily living of character and values.

AGR has been an extremely important part of my life, both personally and professionally. When I was initiated into Beta Eta Chapter at Virginia Tech, I gained a life-long set of brothers and a bond that has followed me throughout life.

The word leverage comes to mind. AGR was there as leverage for us when we were developing as young people. It is now up to us to provide even greater leverage for the future to ensure that agriculture is populated with talented, values-driven, passionate and committed leaders who wear the “sickle and sheaf.” I was directly impacted by others donating when I was an undergraduate. My home chapter was relatively young when I was initiated as #188 in 1982. But, we were strongly supported by the founding brothers both financially and emotionally. That manifested itself in our beautiful physical house (supported by our Alumni Chapter) that we enjoyed as well as through keeping our housing costs at an affordable level.

I choose to give to AGR because one of the most important things one can do is to give back to those things that invested in each of us. That can take on a variety of forms – time, emotional and professional support, mentoring, volunteering and financial support. I have attempted, over the years, to give a balance of these to AGR wherever I have been. I want to see as many young men have the same opportunity that I had — as agriculture needs talented AGRs in the future even more so than in the past!

Ronnie Green Virginia Tech alumnus, Loyalty Fund Donor — Grand President’s Society Member

Did you have a mentor/did someone guide you in your professional career?

“I married up and my wife pro-vided the support and guidance to advance my career.”

Donors like Ronnie make a difference to our collegiate brothers.Put your investment to work faster by giving online atalphagammarho.org/donateor contact Brad Garrison at brad@alphagammarho.org.

GAMMA BROTHER, FARMER, Y

3Summer 2014

onnecticut alumnus Richard Rinehart was born to be a horseman. Richard is currently one of America’s premier rid-

ers in the equine class of “Hunter-Jumpers.” He began riding at the age of five in Newton, Iowa. By his junior year in high school, Richard knew that he had accomplished all that Newton’s re-gional area could offer in the way of Hunter-Jumper experience and career advancement. So, with his family’s blessing, he moved to the East Coast to continue to expand his riding and training skills and to continue his high school education.

Following graduation from high school, Richard continued to gain experience riding and training Hunter-Jumpers. He subsequently entered the University of Connecticut, joined AGR, and during his senior year won the presti-gious Intercollegiate Equitation Championship over Fences.

Following his graduation from UConn, Rich-ard set his short term goals on riding in regional and national Grand Prix Jumper competitions, which typically offered First Place awards that ranged from $ 25,000 to $ 100,000. Richard has won more than 10 of these to date, and in Au-gust 2013 won the Kentucky Horse Park’s Mid-west Championship Competitions for 5-year-old Jumpers.

Long Term GoalRichard’s long term goal was to own his own

stable of Hunter-Jumpers and to offer training on such horses that ranged from novice riders to experienced riders who compete at the Grand Prix level. On his way to this goal, Richard con-tinued to gain Jumper training experience, while concurrently gaining apprenticeship experienc-es on the East Coast.

Business Strategy — IndianapolisIn March 2000, Richard moved to Indianapo-

lis, Ind., to take the next step towards owning his own stable and training facilities. His strat-egy was to purchase several horses, rent an ex-isting stable with training areas, and use those horses to conduct his business while building his clientele base and developing his reputation as a professional trainer.

In conjunction with that training, Richard’s strategy was to identify an existing stable op-eration, whose stalls and buildings were sound, but whose location was far enough removed

from currently densely populated areas that the land had not captured the eyes of Indianapolis home developers. From study, Richard knew that he wanted his stables to be located in the northwest quadrant of the Indianapolis SMSA.

The opportunity to purchase his dream stables came in 1998 when an el-derly Saddlebred stable owner made the deci-sion to exit the business. The stables’ location was ideal as they were located 18 miles north-west of downtown Indianapolis, were surround-ed by cornfields, were situated on a 13 acre par-cel west of the affluent community of Carmel, and most importantly, were right in the path of expansions by major home addition developers.

Rinehart Farm TodayFast forward to 2014, Richard’s “Rinehart

Farm” is now totally surrounded by high value homes whose owners’ children enable Richard to offer all levels of Jumper and Hunter training to the current and next generation of riders. To meet existing demand, Richard has expanded his stables to 50 stalls where riders can keep their own horse or use those provided by Rine-hart Farm. He also employs four full-time stable hands to keep stalls, paddocks, and indoor and outdoor arenas clean and well-groomed. High quality animal husbandry is of prime impor-tance to Richard, thus he provides close atten-tion to the details of feeding, grooming, shod-

ding, vetting, transportation and care of all stabled horses.

In addition to offering all levels of lessons and training (from novice to Grand Prix riders) associated with Hunters and Jumpers, Richard also offers full service boarding, summer camp riding and training, regional showing and com-petition riding on a monthly basis, and services pertaining to the purchase, sale and leasing of horses. Richard travels frequently to Europe and South America to purchase Hunters and Jump-ers on behalf of clients and his own account.

Richard and his wife, Catherine, have two children, Luke, 6, and Elizabeth, 4. Catherine is also a ‘horsewoman’ whose specialty is Hunt-ers. She is a full partner with Richard in the ownership, administration, operation, training and showing of Rinehart Farm horses.

Richard invites all brothers who attend the August 1-4, 2014 National Convention to visit Rinehart Farm during their stay in In-dianapolis and to visit his stable web site at: www.rinehartfarm.com.

Article courtesy of Purdue alumnus Ken Kemp

RIDING HIGHC

promote economic growth, sustainable business opportunities and responsible stewardship of the land. As a tuition-paying parent, I felt the impact of rising tuition, as well as the pride in watching my children earn their Penn State degrees. As a philanthropist, trustee and member of the Board of Directors at the Penn State Hershey Medical Center, I discovered the satisfaction of giving back to the institution that has given my family so much. And as a seventh-generation Pennsyl-vania taxpayer, I have celebrated the value that Penn State’s global reach has had on our state.”

Masser is currently chairman of the board on

the Penn State Board of Trustees – a position he has held since January of 2013, and one that he took on in the wake of the Sandusky scan-dal. Before being elected to the board’s top job, Masser served as its vice chairman. He has stepped up to the plate of his new position, providing leadership and support, and guiding the University on a new path.

Looking to the future, Masser says he is most inspired by the opportunities in the agriculture in-

dustry. “If my grandchildren have the opportunity to get involved in farming, I predict that they will be the rock stars of their generation,” he said. Of

course, he is also looking forward to his two grand-sons becoming involved with the Gamma Chapter.

The Massers live in Sacramento, Penn. Keith is certified as an instru-

ment rated pilot, flying regularly for his farming business. When not working, he enjoys golfing, biking and skiing.

Favorite quote?

“If you haven’t got all the things you want, be grateful for the things you don’t have that you don’t want.”

PENN STATE TRUSTEE

Looking at me, no one would guess that I was a cheerleader, along with two other AGR brothers, at the University of Kentucky.

What is your most treasured possession? My most treasured possession is my little piece of the family farm that has been in our family for more than 200 years.

Best advice I ever received was from one of my early bosses who said: “Don’t let circumstances hold you back, leaders succeed by overcoming the circumstances...problems are there to be solved.”

Who do you admire most? My mother, who had an eighth-grade education, but far exceeded most educated people with her work ethic, community service, charitable deeds and setting high standards for her boys.

Do you have any family ties to AGR? Both of my brothers, Dale and Les, are AGRs. We all held Chapter office and all made careers in agriculture.

In your opinion, why is it important to remain involved with AGR? It is important to remain involved with AGR as a volunteer giving our time, talents and

treasures because we are truly “making better men”.

I support the AGRconnect Campaign because it is a tool that can be of great benefit, not only to my Chapter, but to all chapters everywhere.

Why do you think AGRconnect is important to the future of AGR? AGRconnect enables chapters to provide important training and development for our collegiate members, alumni leaders, advisers and housemothers in order to consistently strengthen and build upon our outstanding core values.

What would you tell brothers who may be considering a gift to AGRconnect? In my opinion, every brother should consider giving a gift to AGRconnect because it is a national program that truly has lasting local impact.

My favorite thing about National Convention is renewing old acquaintances, making new ones and celebrating our great AGR family legacy.

What would you tell a brother whois considering attending the 2014

National Convention? I would tell our brothers who have not attended a National Convention: “Once you have experienced it, you will want to come back.”

My motto: “Always try to leave things better than you found them.”

VOLUNTEERSPOTLIGHT

PROFILE: Glenn StithCHAPTER: Omicron (Kentucky)HOMETOWN: Family farm in Central KentuckySERVES AS: Educational Foundation Board Vice President

4 Summer 2014

fraternity and sorority membership linked to higher well-being for college gradsAs incoming college freshmen weigh the pros and cons of joining a fraternity or sorority this fall or next spring, they should consider this: Being part of the Greek system may have ben-efits that reach far beyond their college years.

A new Gallup survey of more than 30,000 col-lege graduates across the U.S. finds that those who were members of fraternities or sororities are more likely to be “thriving” in their well-be-ing and engaged at work than college graduates who did not go Greek.

Gallup partnered with the National Panhel-lenic Conference and the North-American Inter-fraternity Conference to conduct this research. It is a subset of the initial Gallup-Purdue Index survey released last month, which studied the characteristics of the student experience that are most important to long-term outcomes for graduates. The report found that college gradu-ates who had inspiring mentors and professors, who took part in long-term academic projects and extracurricular activities and who had an internship or job where they applied what they learned are more likely to have higher well-be-ing and work engagement later in life.

The 16% of college graduates who were members of Greek organizations are more like-ly to report being emo-tionally supported and having experiential and deep learning activities while in college, all of which likely have con-tributed to their higher work engagement and well-being.

Fraternity and sorority members’ engagement advantage indicates that they are more likely to be intellectually and emotionally connected to their organizations and enthusiastic about their work. Overall, 43% of fraternity and sorority members who are employed full time for an employer are engaged in the workplace, compared with 38% of all other college graduates. Importantly, these differences are statistically significant after con-trolling for key demographic variables, including gender, race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status.

Additionally, fraternity and sorority mem-

bers are more likely than all other college grad-uates to be thriving in each of the five elements

of well-being (purpose, physical, social, financial and community). Thus, frater-nity and sorority members are more likely than their non-Greek counterparts to find fulfillment in daily work and interactions, to have strong social relationships and ac-cess to the resources people need, to feel financially secure, to be physically healthy and to take part in a true community.

Individual Greek members and chap-ters have unfortunately been associated with issues involving hazing, binge drink-ing and sexual assaults, and Greek organi-

zations should certainly continue their efforts to prevent these negative events from happening. But it appears that, on the whole, the Greek ex-perience has notable long-term benefits.

To learn more about these findings, read the full report at http://products.gallup.com/170687/fraternities-sororities-understanding-life-out-comes.aspx or contact the AGR Home Office at 816-891-9200 for more survey resources.

Article courtesy of The Gallup Blog

initiated by Alpha in 1970.

Arkansas alumni Roger Crum Jr. and Charles Looney received awards from the University of Arkansas Animal Science Department on April 16, 2014. Crum, who earned his bachelor’s degree through the department, received the Graduate of Distinction Award. Loo-ney, who earned his mas-ter’s degree through the department, received the Advanced Graduate of Distinction Award. Both brothers received these awards in recognition of outstanding contributions and achievements as a graduate of the Depart-ment of Animal Science.

Crum was initiated by Alpha Iota in 1958. Loo-ney was initiated by Alpha Iota in 1974.

Georgia alumnus Wilbur Mull recently com-peted in the Georgia Auctioneers Big Peach Bid Calling Championship. Competing among state winners from Florida, Alabama, Tennes-see, Kentucky and South Carolina, Mull placed in the top ten for the Southeast. He was initi-ated by Alpha Eta in 1962.

WVU’s Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Re-sources and Design and the Award of Merit from the college’s Gamma Sig-ma Delta agricultural hon-ors society chapter. He and his wife operate a 1,350 acre farm in Brandywine, W.Va. Conrad was initiated by Alpha Alpha in 1961.

Tennessee-Knoxville alum-nus Grant Davis, a May UT graduate, was one of a select group of students to receive the 2014 Chancel-lor’s Citation for Extraor-dinary Campus Leadership and Service at the Chan-cellor’s Honor Banquet in April. Davis received this award for leadership

in campus activities and service. In addition to membership in AGR, Davis served as 2013-14 Student Government Association Student Servic-es Director. He was also a member of the Mor-tar Board honor society, Tau Beta Pi engineering honor society and the Gamma Sigma Delta agri-cultural honors society. He served as an Alterna-tive Break trip leader, a welcome leader and an Honors ambassador. Davis was initiated by Al-pha Kappa in 2010.

On April 21, 2014, the Alpha Iota Chapter at Arkansas received the University of Arkansas Interfraternity Council Outstanding Recruit-ment Award for fall 2013. The chapter was rec-ognized for doubling their membership (25 new members were initiated in the fall) while main-taining their core values — and achieving this success while the Chapter faces the adversity of not having a chapter house.

Iowa State alumnus Chuck Howlett was re-cently named Northern Illinois University’s 2013 Distinguished Market-ing Alumnus. This award honors the achievement and dedication of excep-tional alumni who have made significant contri-butions in their profes-

sion and to the university. Howlett received his MBA from NIU and recently retired from Lilly USA in sales management. He was initiated by Eta in 1978.

Illinois alumnus Bob Jurgens, retired Agricul-tural Economics Instructor at Lake Land Col-lege, was inducted into the school Wall of Fame on April 30, 2014. In 1981, Jurgens joined the Agriculture faculty at Lake Land where he was an instructor for 25 years. He was an academic advisor to more than one thousand ag transfer students whom he transferred to agriculture programs at various colleges and universities in ten states. During his 25 years at Lake Land College, Jurgens guided hundreds of students into successful Agriculture careers. He was

Michigan State alumnus Jake Bristol recently re-ceived the Rotarian of the Year Award from the Chesterton-Porter Rotary Club for his dedication and service to the organi-zation and its ideals. Bris-tol and his wife, Jill, also welcomed their fifth child recently. Sam Andrew

Bristol was born on April 23, 2014. Bristol was initiated by Tau in 2000.

Iowa State alumnus Brent Sexton was recently named the Iowa State Greek Man of the Year. During his time at ISU, the recent grad was in-volved in several campus organizations including Freshman Council, Dance Marathon, Greek Week and President’s Leader-

ship Class. Through Ag Travel Abroad, Sexton has traveled to eight countries on four conti-nents, including six weeks in Uganda on a Ser-vice Learning project. He was initiated by Eta in 2010.

Illinois alumnus Dan Hoge, professor of animal science at Black Hawk College East Campus, was recently inducted into the Black Hawk Col-lege East Foundation’s Wall of Fame. Nearly 300 colleagues, former and current students, industry leaders as well as former inductees attended the Wall of Fame event. Wall of Fame honorees have provided outstanding service and/or leadership to the foundation and/or the Black Hawk College East Campus as well as the community. Hoge — a Black Hawk College institution with a reputa-tion throughout the livestock industry as one of the winningest livestock coaches in the United States — certainly fulfilled the criteria. He was initiated by Alpha in 1963.

Texas A&M alumnus Dean McCorkle and four team members received the Outstanding Exten-sion Program Award from the Southern Agricultural Economic Association for their work in the area of economic impacts of Extension programs. Mc-Corkle is also a mem-

ber of a team that recently received a Superior Service Award from the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service for achievements in the area of childhood obesity research and outreach. He was initiated by Beta Nu in 1987.

Alpha Zeta Chapter at Kansas State recently received the Educational Program Award, Com-munity Service Event Award and Dean’s Award at the Kansas State Interfraternity Council’s Fraternal Excellence Award Ceremony.

West Virginia alumnus Steve Conrad recently received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from

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Jake Bristol

Brent Sexton

Summer 2014

HONORS AND AWARDS

Dean McCorkle

Steve Conrad

HELP US KEEP YOURFELLOW MEMBERSINFORMED!

Please send updates to Sarah Nadler via email at sarah@alphagammarho.org or fill out the Share Your News form at alphagammarho.org/share-your-news.

Chuck Howlett

Grant Davis

Roger Crum Jr.

Charles Looney

FIND US ON INSTAGRAMAlpha Gamma Rho is now on Instagram! We’re snapping fun shots at the Home Office and following our traveling staff on the road. See what you’ve been missing and follow us @alphagammarhohq!

OVERHEARD ON TWITTER@jsbreker: Proud to have cast my lot with @AlphaGammaRho. “Fraternity Membership Linked to Higher Well-Being For College Grads”

@kerns_12: Above all else, this weekend solidified my belief in the principles of @AlphaGammaRho, and made clear that I am exactly where I need to be

AGR Brothers,As my tenure as your

Grand President comes to an end, I say thank you for your support. It has been my pleasure to attend Founder’s Day events, 50th and Centen-nial celebrations, Lead-ership Seminars, ground

breaking events and our own AGR National Conventions. In all of these events, my goal was to connect brothers more closely with their chapter and the National Fraternity.

We brothers are known by our AGR Brand. When people see our brand, they associate it with the positive traits of leadership, involvement, pursuits of excellence and financial responsibil-ity, and futuristic thinking men who are ready to roll up their sleeves and say, “Lets git‘er done!”

Our common agricultural bond lends itself to the networking we enjoy. The world’s popu-lation continues to expand, creating more and more demand for food and the challenges that come with feeding a hungry world. It will take a magnitude of people working together to solve the world’s hunger, financial, environmental, health and political problems. Our network pro-vides a structure for people to work together to feed the world and create solutions to other modern problems.

But, AGR cannot function on auto pilot. In-puts of resources such as full-time staff, volun-teer time, money and information from consul-tants, assist AGR to provide guidance for our

brothers to grow scholastically, socially and professionally. We must continue to analyze our initiation fees and recruit funds from industry and alumni to support our efforts to prepare our collegiates to become the ag community lead-ers of tomorrow. Alumni, someone gave so you could enjoy the benefits of being a collegiate brother; now, it is your turn. I encourage all brothers to financially give what you can to sup-port our National Fraternity as well as your own chapter.

All of our collegiate brothers experience per-sonal problems at times such as depression, lack of motivation, poor scholastic achievement and poor choices involving finances, alcohol and drugs, and difficult relationships. These are all a part of the lives of young men and are normal and natural. Our Fraternity can help our men ad-dress these situations and turn these problems into successes as we “make better men.” With-out guidance from their brothers, their house di-rector or alumni, many young men’s lives could easily be ruined by these difficult situations.

Despite how well we manage our chapters and our national organization, problem situ-ations such as poor membership recruitment, lack of alumni support, inadequate and unsafe housing, lack of good leadership, failure to fol-low rules and risk management procedures es-tablished by the Home Office, alumni boards and campus administrations, along with lack of civic responsibility, can weaken the chapter and the fraternity. It is the hope of our national lead-ership that we learn from these problem situa-tions and turn adversity into opportunity to pre-

vent their reoccurrence; thus, strengthening the chapter and the Fraternity.

I am proud to say, I have observed how AGR provides training for its members to survive comfortably in today’s business and social envi-ronments. Through the leadership of our boards, we are grooming our brothers so they can rise to the top in their chapter, on campus and in their professional lives.

As my time as Grand President comes to a close, it is my hope that AGR:

• will always be strong… continue to increase our numbers and the number of chapters, and to serve our alumni in meaningful ways throughout their lives

• will always be known as one of the most respected fraternities on campus

• will always develop the best men into the leaders of tomorrow’s agriculture

• will always follow our AGR goals and change them when necessary

• will always pursue our AGR plan and change it when necessary

• will never deviate from our Purpose

May we always consider it an honor and a privilege to say, “I am an AGR.”

Thank you for allowing me to serve you as your Grand President.

Fraternally,

Arlen WonderlichGrand President

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PHOTO CAPTION:READING SICKLE & SHEAF: Alpha Sigma alumnus Anthony Varni and former AGR Sweetheart Danielle Varni enjoy the birth of their first born, future Sweetheart Abigail Lee Varni, while reading the Winter 2014 issue of SICKLE & SHEAF. Abigail was born on April 14, 2014, and weighed 8 pounds, 2 ounces and was 19 3/4 inches in length. Anthony said, “Danielle and I shared so many great, memorable times at the Alpha Sigma house and look forward to making more memories with our brothers and baby Abigail in the years to come. GO DOGS!”

6 Summer 2014

FROM THE GRAND PRESIDENT

Ill., based stock analysis company with offices in 27 countries across the world. He’ll be over-seeing content and campaigns in the United States and abroad. Carruthers was initiated by Alpha Kappa in 2002.

Oklahoma State alumnus Lester Flesner will cel-ebrate his 100th birthday on Sept. 23 of this year. We offer our congratula-tions to brother Flesner on this milestone year! Flesner was initiated by Pi Chapter in 1934.

Tennessee-Knoxville alumnus John Schultz graduated May 18, 2014 with his master’s de-gree in Weed Science from the University of Missouri. He has taken a position with BASF Corporation as a technical service representa-tive covering the state of Arkansas. His respon-sibilities will be to work with state extension specialists and to aid in the efforts of six sales representatives around the state of Arkansas. He has moved to North Little Rock, Ark. Schultz was initiated by Alpha Kappa in 2008.

Arkansas alumnus Will Schuhknecht was re-cently named Regional Vice President for Alpha Gamma Rho National Fraternity and is serving the South Central states of Missouri, Arkansas and Louisiana at the pleasure of the AGR Board of Di-rectors. Schuhknecht was

initiated by Alpha Iota in 2000.

Kansas State alumnus Rich Wilcke is retiring in after two decades as an in-structor and director of the Equine Industry Program (EIP) in the University of Louisville’s College of Business. The EIP, estab-lished in 1986, offers the only AACSB-accredited degree in business ad-

ministration with a major in equine business. Prior to joining the University’s faculty, Wilcke served as the executive vice president of the Maryland Horse Breeders Association, as presi-dent of the Council for a Competitive Economy in DC, as director of information for the Kan-sas Livestock Association and as Farm Editor for WIBW TV-Radio-FM in Topeka. He and his wife of 47 years, Janet, have a cattle and horse farm at Bethlehem, Ky. Wilcke was initiated by Alpha Zeta in 1962.

Missouri alumnus Dalton Wieligman recent-ly joined BWI Companies, Inc. as a territory manager covering much of the state of Kan-sas. He relocated to Wichita, Kan., after ac-cepting this position. Wieligman was initiated by Theta in 2009.

Purdue alumnus Dale Whittaker was recently named provost at Univer-sity of Central Florida. He will assume this position as well as the vice presi-dent for academic affairs role on Aug. 1. Whittaker was initiated by Delta in 2003.

Murray State alumnus Gary Wheeler moved into the Missouri Soybean Association’s ex-ecutive director/CEO role on April 21, 2014. Wheeler is no stranger to the agriculture indus-try, and he brings a variety of expertise to the position. Wheeler has a Bachelor of Science in

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STAFFEditor – Dave KorbelikCommunications Coordinator – Sarah NadlerContributing Editors – Joe Arterburn, Omer Dye, Steve Fairchild, Matt Fanta, Corey Geiger, John Harvey, Loren Kruse, Justin Lessman, Chester Peterson, Jr., Steve Rich, Len Richardson, John Ruebush, Vance Runnels, Patrick Scheetz, Jeremy ZweiackerBusiness Manager – Philip Josephson

SICKLE & SHEAF (ISSN 8750-6866) is published four times a year (Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer) by Publications Office, 10101 N. Ambassador Drive, Kansas City, MO. Members receive life subscriptions with payment of initiation fee. Periodicals postage paid at Kansas City, MO and additional mailing office. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: SICKLE & SHEAF, 10101 N. Ambassador Drive, Kansas City, MO 64153-1366.

Summer Vol. 104-03 | Published continuously since 1910

The following deaths were reported to the Home Office since the last publication. Includes initiation year.

Transitions

Alpha-IllinoisRichard L. Williams 1940R. Ernest Painter 1947

Beta-Ohio StateCharles H. Cole 1939Wib H. Justi 1942

Gamma-Penn StateDelano P. Muse 1957Ralph V. Jones 1967Quinton J. Hanssens 1969

Delta-PurdueMax E. Skinner 1936Thomas C. Fitzpatrick 1961

Epsilon-North Dakota StatePhillip Olmstead 1951

Zeta-CornellWilliam J. Carney 1959John W. Hicks 1959

Theta-MissouriRalph O. Sander 1949Jack F. Greer 1951John T. Jobe 2000

Iota- Wisconsin-MadisonEdward E. Parrott 1941

Kappa-NebraskaTheodore D. Doyle 1936Willard J. Visek 1941J. Willis Ervin 1942Dean A. Glock 1955

Lambda-MinnesotaAlfred R. Halvorson 1940

Mu-MassachusettsM. Earle Chase 1934

Nu-North Carolina StateAlan P. Morris 1978

Xi-AuburnErnest H. Stewart 1936William O. Lipscomb 1942R. Oneal Smitherman 1956Mark C. Espy 1965Clifford W. Cleveland 1966Garry B. Meinsler 1976Claude I. Carter 1994

Omicron-KentuckyFrederic Neuville 1949James P. Kirby 1957Bobby W. Finley 1978

Pi-Oklahoma StateBenjamin M. Grant 1939Clyde N. Cheatham 1941Robert F. Hume 1950James M. Dobson 1964Oliver H. Kinzie 1969Chris W. Rink 1979

Rho-Colorado StateCharles W. Bliss 1947

Sigma-Washington StateKenneth A. Graybeal 1950

Upsilon-ConnecticutJames H. Eacott 1941

Phi-California-DavisArne E. Jalonen 1936

Chi-Cal PolySteven H. Bennett 1977

Omega-New HampshireRoy E. Bell 1961William Cheney 1975

Alpha Alpha-West VirginiaJohn W. Ashby 1949

Alpha Gamma-FloridaJohn E. Schaburger 1925John H. Gelston 1925Lisle S. Tounsend 1926Howard B. Johnson 1926Mason L. Roberts 1927Elbert L. Lowry 1927John B. Guthrie 1932Hugh Dukes 1932Charles D. Kime 1936Arthur A. Rich 1937Sidney P. Marshall 1937William R. Condos 1938Harry D. Barnes 1938James S. Lawrence 1938M. C. Eldridge 1941Quentin Medlin 1941

Alpha Delta-Montana StateBernard G. Toenyes 1938James S. Peebles 1941James E. Copley 1953William S. Ebersole 1955

Alpha Epsilon-Louisiana StateJames W. Hammett 1931Floyd P. Harrison 1948Lucas J. Dipuma 1982

Alpha Zeta-Kansas StateEdwin J. Gantenbein 1931Emmett B. Hannawald 1936Wesley C. Kirschner 1937Leo John Garvert 1942Marvin R. Fansher 1948Alfred O. Gigstad 1950Gary F. Sullivan 1956

Alpha Eta-GeorgiaMerle R. Pulver 1953Robert B. Conoly 1958Ernest D. Webb 1967

Alpha Theta-MarylandEdward F. Mayne 1949

Alpha Nu-ConnecticutJon K. Hall 1958

Alpha Rho-VermontNils A. Berglund 1970

Alpha Chi-Western KentuckyDavid M. Coffey 1982

Beta Epsilon-Arkansas StateMelvin V. Wamock 1984

Beta Eta-Virginia TechRobert E. Morris 1977

The following are those who have given gifts since our last publication in memory of members who have passed away.

Memorial Contributions

William H Jenner in memory of R. Ernest Painter, Illinois.

Janice A. Zeipen in memory of Sid C. Patey, Wisconsin- River Falls. James & M. Jean Overmyer in memory of James D. Overmyer, Purdue.

Summer 2014

ON THE MOVE

Will Schuhknecht

Rich Wilcke

agriculture and a Master of Business Administra-tion. Currently, he is also completing his Master of Public Affairs – specializ-ing in Public and Nonprof-it Management. Wheeler, his wife, Elizabeth, and their two children reside in Jefferson City, Mo. Wheeler was initiated by

Alpha Omega in 1995.

Tennessee-Knoxville alumnus John Carruthers recently accepted a position as a marketing con-tent manager at Morningstar, Inc. — a Chicago, Lester Flesner

Dale WhittakerGary Wheeler

Alpha Gamma Rho gives special thanks to its

corporate partners:

Member of Fraternity Communications

Association

North-AmericanInterfraternity

Conference

816-891-9200agr@alphagammarho.org

alphagammarho.org

AGR Home Office10101 N. Ambassador Drive

Kansas City, MO 64153

Summer 2014

Name: _________________________________________________________________________________________Chapter, initiation number & date: _____________________________________________________Home phone: _______________________________ Work phone: ______________________________Cell phone: ________________________________ Fax: ________________________________________Email Address: _____________________________________________________________________________Address: _____________________________________________________________________________________

On the Move updates:Job title: ___________________________________ Employer: ___________________________________Dates: ___________ to ___________ Additional info: ________________________________________

Honors & Awards updates:Awards and/or leadership positions in industry or community and dates:________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Family and other general updates:________________________________________________________________________________________________We appreciate any address and personal information updates. If you would like to be featured in a future issue of SICKLE & SHEAF, please enclose a photo. Send to: Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity, 10101 N. Ambassador Drive, Kansas City, MO 64153.

Help Us Keep You Informed 4 Ways to Submit Your News1. Complete and return the form from this publication.

2. Visit alphagammarho.org/share-your-news and submit a story electronically.3. Email your news to sarah@alphagammarho.org.

4. Mail your news to Alpha Gamma Rho, 10101 N.Ambassador Drive, Kansas City, MO 64153. Please include your contact information for verification purposes. News releases and information from published news clippings may also be used.

For more information, please contact:Sarah Nadler, Communications Coordinator

at 816-891-9200, ext. 11.

Article/item submission deadlines:Winter: Jan. 1 | Spring: March 1Summer: June 1 | Fall: Sept. 1

Dates to Remember

Gold

Diamond

For More Information on Becoming a Corporate Partner: Visit alphagammarho.org/sponsor-agr

Elite

Aug. 1-4, 2014 National Convention Indianapolis, Indiana

Nov. 6-7, 2014 Board Meetings Madison, Wisconsin

Jan. 9-10, 2015 Adviser Forum Kansas City, Missouri

Jan. 16-17, 2015 Recruitment School Kansas City, Missouri

Feb. 13-14, 2015 Leadership Seminar Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas

Feb. 20-21, 2015 Leadership Seminar Indianapolis, Indiana

Feb. 27-28, 2015 Leadership Seminar Reno, Nevada

March 6-7, 2015 Leadership Seminar Baltimore, Maryland

EQUITY CULTIVATING GROWTH

Bid for Better Men Mobile & LIVE Auction

Alpha Gamma Rho is excited to partner with AuctionsByCellular for this year’s silent auction portion of the National Convention Bid for Better Men Auction. We’ll be offering electronic bidding on all

silent auction items — bidding will be done through your own cell phone! No extra device to carry around, and no hovering around the tables at the end of the night. Plus, if you’re not attending National Convention, you’ll be able to bid on silent auction items.You can bid from anywhere, anytime before the close of the auction right from your own phone. You’ll even get an update if you are outbid! The si-lent auction bidding will open before everyone gets to Indianapolis, so visit www.alphagammarho.org/events for more details.The LIVE auction will take place

in conjunction with the Hall of Fame banquet on Sunday, August 3, and will include everything from vacation packages to artwork as well as custom engraved (see illustration below), limited edition Uberti/Winchester 1873 Lever-Action Rifles! The proceeds from both auctions will benefit AGRconnect. Silver

Barnes & Thornburg LLP | FAEGRE BAKER DANIELS LLP

Bronze

Wells Fargo Bank

Sponsor

Agricultural Investment Associates Inc. | AgReliant Genetics | Bader Rutter

*artist drawing