Brothers gathered from across the nation for Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity’s 68th biennial National Convention August 1-3 in Sacramento, California. The event was huge success with more than 400 attendees, a robust Career Fair, the celebration of the record-breaking Capital Campaign and Auction, and more.
Members and their families began to arrive Wednesday night and early Thursday morning. The weekend consisted of various business meetings, educational breakout sessions, the Silent Auction, the Career Fair and social gatherings.
The Career Fair was held Friday, August 2. The event consisted of 18 booths sponsored by local and national agriculture industries. AGR brothers took this opportunity to network and share ideas and experiences in their industry.
That same day, the Fraternity held a celebration for the success it has had with the Local Chapter Excellence Capital Campaign. The campaign raised more than $20 million and the silent auction raised $155,000, a record for the auction.
The auction items included short vacation packages, a custom Gucci bag with AGR embossed on the straps and other items that allow brothers to show off their Fraternal pride. Carol Johnson, the Chief Development Officer , CEO Rex Martin and Glenn Stith, Chair of the Educational Foundation spoke about the hard work and dedication themselves and AGR members everywhere went through to make this milestone the largest in AGR’s history.
“Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity and The Educational Foundation of Alpha Gamma Rho has never been more united,” Brother Rex Martin said. “Between the Local Chapter Excellence Capital Campaign, the Top Leaders Institutes and seeing the individuals who have pushed to make these dreams a reality, I can see the future of AGR and our chapters being shaped into something great.”
The Fraternity also gave out a variety of awards and accolades to members, as well as approved new board members during the awards luncheon August 3. Brother Greg Nickerson Eta Chapter, Iowa State University, ended his term as Grand President and Brother Jay Vroom of Alpha Chapter at the University of Illinois was elected the next Grand President. Brother John Demerly. Delta, Purdue and Brother Todd Winters, Sigma, Washington State were both elected to the National Board. Brother Jim Garrison, Alpha Zeta, Kansas State joined the Housing Resources Board of Trustees.
The Fraternity also announced the runner up and winner of the Sleeter Bull and Maynard H. Coe awards. Alpha Zeta Chapter at Kansas State was the runner up for the Maynard H. Coe award and Alpha Upsilon Chapter Tennessee-Martin was the winner. The runner up for the Sleeter Bull award was Alpha Sigma, Fresno State and the winner was Alpha Iota Chapter at the University of Arkansas.
"Between the Local Chapter Excellence Capital Campaign, the Top Leaders Institutes and seeing the individuals who have pushed to make these dreams a reality, I can see the future of AGR and our chapters being shaped into something great."
That evening, the Fraternity held the Hall of Fame Banquet where several members were inducted into the AGR Hall of Fame. Brother Rick Carpenter of Gamma Chapter at Pennsylvania State and Brother Neil Fruechte of Lambda Chapter at the University of Minnesota were both inducted.
Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity congratulates everyone on their accomplishments and hard work to receive these recognitions and new positions. It is their dedication that will keep the Fraternity going for generations to come.
The National Fraternity also recognizes the many hours that the Convention Committee and the staff at the Home Office put in to make this event an amazing experience for all members in attendance. Alpha Gamma Rho looks forward to the next Convention in 2026 in Louisville, Kentucky.
