Alpha Delta Chapter of Alpha Gamma Rho at Montana State University inducted the inaugural class of its new Hall of Fame, created to celebrate the accomplishments of alumni and their dedication to Montana agriculture.
Alpha Delta Chapter inducted Brothers Bill Jimmerson, Dr. LeRoy Luft, and Ron Ramsfield into the chapter's Hall of Fame on Nov. 4, 2023. The inaugural class of Alpha Delta Chapter’s Hall of Fame truly exemplify the Purpose of Alpha Gamma Rho, To Make Better Men.
Brother Bill Jimmerson helped to shape and guide the lives of AGR and FFA members and youth from across Montana. He spent 32 years as a Montana Agricultural Education teacher and FFA Advisor, including from 1980 to 2003 at Conrad High School, where he was instrumental in starting the State Ag Sales and State Ag Issues career development events.
Following his teaching career, Brother Jimmerson served seven years as Montana State FFA Advisor from 2005 to 2013, directing the State Officer Team headquartered at MSU. During that time, he helped secure funding for 12 new Ag Ed programs in Montana high schools, later serving as Montana FFA Foundation Interim Director. The White House named him “Champion of Change,” in 2012 for developing a national program for Native American FFA members, which provides Native American students with opportunities to become involved in FFA, and to share their culture with others in the organization.
Brother Jimmerson was enthusiastic in his support of the chapter, the school’s athletic programs, and agriculture education in Montana. He passed unexpectedly Sept. 30, 2022. His memory lives in the countless leaders he mentored.
Dr. LeRoy Luft joined the Fraternity in 1956, where he served as Vice Noble Ruler, editor of the College Farmer Magazine, a member of Student Senate and showed in the Little International Livestock Show.
As an alumnus member during his career in the Cooperative Extension Service, he served on the Educational Foundation of Alpha Gamma Rho National Board for six years. Brother Luft served as the Alpha Delta Chapter Advisor for two years and has served on the Chapter Alumni Board and the MSU Alumni Board. Along with receiving his bachelor's degree from Montana State University, Brother Luft received an ROTC Commission and served two plus years in the Army and later the Montana National Guard for six years.
After completing his active military, he was employed by the Montana Cooperative Extension Service serving as an Agent in Teton and Richland Counties. Those two sites of employment provided him with an opportunity to serve the respective county’s agricultural communities. He then went on to obtain his master's degree and became a State Extension Farm Management Specialist for two years before going on to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for his Ph.D. He returned to Montana, again serving as an Extension Farm Management Specialist, conducting educational agriculture programs around the state. After two years, the University of Idaho hired Brother Luft as its Cooperative Extension Director and as Associate Vice Provost for Outreach. He received the Epsilon Sigma Phi Ruby Award, the highest national award for Extension personnel. Brother Luft retired from the University of Idaho and moved back to Bozeman. Subsequently, he served one year as Montana Extension Service Interim Director.
Brother Luft re-retired in January 2004, but of course continues to support the Fraternity. A room in the remodeled chapter house has his name on it, along with his brother Vernon.
Brother Ron Ramsfield has truly been a standout alumnus since graduating with a degree in agronomy in 1973. Upon graduation, Ron was already working hard for the University at the experiment station in Sidney, Montana, where he would spend 20 years.
After his work at the experiment station, Brother Ramsfield returned to Bozeman, Montana, in 1993. Since then, he led the school’s winter wheat program to develop new varieties. In October 2023, Brother Ramsfield celebrated his 50th anniversary of service to Montana State University. In addition, to his work for the university, Ron has been indispensable to the active brothers at Alpha Gamma Rho. He has served on the alumni board for over 25 years as the house operations management.
Since taking his role on the alumni board, Brother Ramsfield repaired the water heater, broken windows, various fixtures, and the plumbing. Often, collegiate members jump in to help with the many repairs he completes on the house. Once they get to work, there is never a dull moment, as Brother Ramsfield shares his remarkable stories and vast knowledge. As a chapter that always receives compliments on the condition and upkeep of the house, the chapter thanks Brother Ramsfield for keeping everything together, and his wise words, “There’s always something that needs fixing.”
