News
Alpha Gamma Rho Ties
Looking for a great way to show off your AGR Pride? Make sure to check out the new line of official ties and bow ties! These ties are great to show off at National Convention and AGR Leadership Seminars as well as rocking them in the professional world as a proud alumni. These comfortable ties are made out of high quality fabric and would make an excellent gift for any current member or alumni! Be sure to check them out at
Marten, Vroom named to National Wheat Foundation Board
Congratulations to our alumni Randy Marten and Jay Vroom for their election to the National Wheat Foundation Board of Directors.
Alpha Gamma Rho at ExploreACES 2017
We're always excited to welcome future College of ACES students to the University of Illinois! This year Explore ACES will be March 10th-11th. During this day we offer house tours at anytime to incoming freshmen and parents. We will also hold an open free lunch to any interested students and parents at 12:00 at the chapter house!
Founders' Day 2016
Friday, February 20 brought together alumni and current members for our annual Founders' Day celebration at the iHotel in Champaign. Former State Senator and Alpha Chapter alumnus Rick Winkel was the keynote speaker. Rick is the current director of the Office of Public Leadership at the University of Illinois Institute of Government and Public Affairs.
New upgrades made to Chapter House
Throughout 2015, many improvements have been made to the chapter house. The entire west side of the house was updated with new flooring, paint, and furniture. A new kitchenette was installed in the chow hall and new lighting and ventilation was installed throughout the house. Alpha Gamma Rho continues to lead the way in housing improvements and living conditions amongst fraternities.
Hoge & Rathai Honored by College of ACES
On Monday, April 13, two of our own were honored with the University of Illinois College of ACES Award of Merit. The award recognizes those who bring honor to themselves and their alma mater, celebrating alumni who have demonstrated outstanding professional achievement, leadership or service, and have significantly enhanced or improved the lives of others.
Dan E. Hoge ‘63
Dan is a Professor and Livestock Judging Coach at Black Hawk College, East Campus. Throughout his career, he has worked to promote agricultural education and animal science, educating more than 4,000 students and more than 700 livestock judging team members. Dan earned a Bachelor of Science in Animal Sciences in 1966, followed by a Masters in Animal Science in 1968. His son, Mark ’92, is also an Alpha Chapter alumnus.
Kenna B. Rathai
Kenna is the owner of Kenna B. Rathai Communications and serves as a public relations consultant and freelance writer. Among her many career accomplishments, she recently served as National Agri-Marketing Association President in 2014. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Communications in 1993. Kenna is the sister of Alpha alumnus Barry Beaupre ’88 and served as Chapter Sweetheart during the 1992-93 school year.
Thomas Titus is one of the Faces of Farming!
Thomas Titus ‘04 was recently voted to be one of the US Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) Faces of Farming. The Faces of Farming program was created to help give a real face to agriculture. To that end, USFRA has selected standout farmers and ranchers who are proud of what they do, eager to share their stories of continuous improvement and who are actively involved in sharing those stories in public and on social media. Thomas will serve in multiple high-visibility roles on behalf of USFRA, participating in a number of activities that include national media interviews, public appearances and events.
Visit fooddialogues.com/faces or their Facebook page to learn more.
Congrats to one of Alpha’s very own!
Jonathan Baldwin Turner Scholars
On December 5, five members of this year’s pledge class were recognized at the Jonathan Baldwin Turner Scholarship Banquet at the iHotel in Champaign. This scholarship program helps fund the education of students in the College of ACES who have shown exceptional ability and work ethic throughout high school and involves a monetary reward for these efforts. Alpha Gamma Rho had a larger representation than any other fraternity represented at the banquet. There is a strenuous interview process required to receive the award so a congratulations is in order to these outstanding young men. This is a great reflection of our talented pledge class and fraternity on a public scale. Prestigious representatives of the University such as President Bob Easter and Dean Hauser were both in attendance.
Pictured L-R: Tim Grote, Brandon Butcher, Jake Vandermyde
(not pictured are Mark Snider and Andy Dole)
Foxy Lady nets over $3,000 for local family fighting cancer
The 40th Annual Foxy Lady Pageant on November 20 was a great success. But more importantly, the active chapter is proud to be able to help a family in need.
Over $3,200 dollars were raised to help the Hubbard Family. The wife of the family, Katie Hubbard, was recently diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer and our proceeds went to support the family during this difficult time, including medical expenses. The Hubbards volunteer at the Illini Navigators, a local campus ministry team, where sophomore Alex Johns is involved.
There were twelve sororities represented in the competition, which was held at the Canopy Club in Urbana. The three rounds consisted of sorority spirit, Illini spirit and evening wear. The winner was freshman Julia Benson of Kappa Delta.
The competition is the longest running philanthropy event on campus amongst Greek Organizations. This year’s event was organized by Philanthropy Chair Jack Hedges and the masters of ceremonies were Chris Seiboldt and Alex Tebbe.
Alpha, Zumwalt Honored at National Convention
At the AGR National Convention in Indianapolis in August, Alpha Chapter and its brothers were recognized in a number of awards categories:
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Overall Chapter Award Gold Status, High Honors
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Chapter Crescent Award Honorable Mention, Best Series
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Jared Kempel ‘11 received the AGR Achievement Award
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Alex Tebbe received the Wayne Rehn Scholarship Award
In addition, Jim Zumwalt ’91 received the AGR National Conference Citation for Outstanding AGR Alum. Below is the text of the pronouncement.
"Every once in a while, an Alpha Gamma Rho Brother exemplifies qualities that exceed the ideals outlined in the Covenant, Our Purpose and AGR’s Promise and Values. While it is impossible to categorize, it’s also necessary to recognize. As Value #10 indicates, we should “enthusiastically recognize and reward accomplishments consistent with our Promise and Values.”
To that end, it is my honor to recognize Brother Jim Zumwalt with a special Convention Citation. A former Home Office Staff Member, Jim currently serves as Director of Organizational Effectiveness for Zoetis/Pfizer. Although Jim has accumulated many professional accolades, it is not his professional example that has set him apart as much as it is his life as a husband and father.
As some of you may know, on September 21, 2011, Jim’s wife, Kady, suffered a severe brain hemorrhage caused by Arteriovernous Malformation (AVM). She spent a great amount of time in a coma, and has many surgeries and gone through countless hours of rigorous therapy. We are pleased that her health continues to improve and that she is headed home later this month, but she continues to be challenged as even slight movement in her extremities are considered to be dramatic improvements.
Over the past three years, Jim has unselfishly dedicated himself to being Kady’s caretaker while balancing the role of husband and father along with his professional duties. Not only has he performed all of these roles, but done so without complaint or pity. Because of his selfless attitude and the demonstrated servant hood, and on behalf of the entire Brotherhood of Alpha Gamma Rho, it is my honor to hereby recognize Brother Jim Zumwalt with a 2014 National Convention Citation for “living the promise” of Alpha Gamma Rho."
The Summer Golf Outing was a success!
About 75 alumni and guests were in Bloomington at Crestwicke Country Club on Monday, July 14 for the annual event. Thanks to Jason Proehl ‘96 and Matt Broch ‘96 for organizing the event. We’ve already reserved Crestwicke for next summer’s outing – plan to attend!
Special thanks goes out to this year’s event sponsors. While entry fees cover the cost of the outing, sponsorships allow us to make a sizeable contribution to the chapter.
Hole Sponsors
Kuhfuss & Proehl, P.C., Attorneys at Law, Pekin, IL
Jason W. Proehl Farms, Manito, IL
Heartland Ag Group - Ryan Aupperle ‘94
Matt ‘96 and Nicole Broch & Family
Loeffler Farms – Brian ‘91 & Molly Loeffler
Sematic 16 - Class of ‘96
Prime Property Group, Inc. - Paul Messamore ‘96
In memory of pledge brothers Doug Baker ‘92 and Chris Crowell ‘92 by Jeremy Ross ‘92
1st Farm Credit Services
The Scoular Company
In Memory of J.P. Motley ‘84 and Chris Buhrow ‘84 by John Leinberger
Green and Gold Sponsors ($100)
Lynn Hiser ‘04
Dave Maurer ‘84
Hole-in-One Sponsors
Edward Jones Investments
Ed Dollinger ‘83
Brett Bayston ‘85
Drink Sponsors
Bock & Associates
Abe Lincoln Appraisal Services
Dan Bock ‘64