Theta Crescent. Noble Ruler Report. What s Inside. Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity

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1 Theta Crescent Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity Spring 2009 Noble Ruler Report University of Missouri Theta Brothers, It is my pleasure to announce that the spring semester of 2009 has thus far been a very successful one for the men of Alpha Gamma Rho. As with every semester, this one has been filled with numerous activities both at Mizzou and in the community. With events such as RAMS Week, intramural sports, Greek Week, Founder s Day, the Classic Cattle Show, our annual philanthropy and the Popp-McBee Trapshoot, we have stayed very busy with each and every day of the semester. We are pleased to have added six new members to our roster, bringing our total undergraduate membership up to 89 men. The new members have been excelling at our new member development program and are already proving to be great leaders both on campus and within the chapter. Last fall the men of Theta Chapter continued their excellence in academics by achieving a chapter GPA of 3.1, placing us in the top tier of fraternities on campus. However, even with our scholastic achievements, we continue to strive to improve our scholarship program through mentoring and by working to improve our study habits. Throughout the past several months, we have also continued to better our chapter by getting more brothers involved throughout campus. Jared Thomas and Alan Brandt are currently serving on the seven member Inter- Fraternity Council. I was given the honor, along with Kyle Eckler, of being tapped into Mortar Board, and Jared Thomas was inducted into Omicron Delta Kappa. We have also had members named to the Alumni Association Student Board, Student Outreach and Homecoming Steering Committee. The brothers here at Theta Chapter are present in nearly every area of Mizzou. Early this semester at our Founder s Day, we were given the opportunity to honor five 50-year alumni. In February, we participated in Rockin Against Multiple Sclerosis Week, helping to raise over $70,000 for research on multiple sclerosis. We also hosted our annual cattle show, the AGR Classic, which was a huge success, bringing in over 500 head of cattle and more than 350 exhibitors. In April, our philanthropy, Philanthropy Feud, helped to raise nearly $4,300 for The Shelter of Columbia, which provides assistance for battered women and children. For Greek Week, we were paired with the women of Pi Beta Phi and had a very good showing by making skit finals and by doing very well in the service category. On April 22, the men of Theta Chapter were able to gain some recognition for all their achievements throughout the previous year. At the Greek Awards Night, Alpha Gamma Rho was awarded both the President s Cup for leadership throughout the chapter, and the Director s Cup for brotherhood and chapter programming. Housemother Marcia Napier, for the second year in a row, was named as Outstanding Housemother. Kyle Eckler and I were selected as the two Outstanding IFC members, and Brett Naylor was named as Honorable Mention Outstanding Chapter President for serving as Noble Ruler last year. The men of Alpha Gamma Rho once again showed that they are one of the top fraternities on campus. As the spring semester comes to a close, the men of Theta Chapter will continue to strive to build upon our current achievements by strengthening our brotherhood, academics and leadership abilities. I would like to thank the alumni, as our success would not be possible without your support. Feel free to stop by the house at any time,and please contact me with any concerns you have. Fraternally, Bryant Kagay Noble Ruler What s Inside 2009 Founders Day 2009 AGR Classic Recruitment Report Spring Initiates Senior Send-Offs And More...

2 Alumni, Undergrads Enjoy Celebration of Excellence Excellence continues at 602 S. College Avenue as the chapter learned recently that we have been named the Outstanding CAFNR Organization for the second year in a row. To achieve this title there must be an outstanding display of participation, leadership and service to the CAF- NR, the University and the City of Columbia. Finally, and equally important, is scholarship. During the two semesters in 2008, Theta Chapter had a GPA above 3.0, with 71 members named to the Dean's List during one or both semesters. This honor came at the Ag Celebration of Excellence on April 3, Five undergraduates, two advisers and Theta with the CAFNR Outstanding Organization Award. Back: Jason Twenter, Brad Eisenbath, Brad Meineka, Brandon Thiel. Front: Kyle Eckler, Jared Henderson, Bryant Kagay, Matt Kahrs. Theta welcomes new adviser Theta Chapter would like to welcome their new faculty adviser, Ryan Milhollin. Milhollin is a Project Manager and Extension Associate for the Commercial Agriculture Program at the University of Missouri. He was previously a research specialist at MU. Milhollin was initiated by Theta in our housemother were guests of CAFNR at the banquet held at the Reynolds s Alumni Center. Two outstanding Theta brothers received individual honors. Brandon Thiel, chose by CAFNR StuCo, was named Outstanding CAFNR Freshman. Brandon is a Plant Science major from Marshall, Mo. Alumnus Steve Barr (Theta 69) was named Alumnus of the Year. Barr is the co-owner of Osborn & Barr, a leading St. Louisbased communications and marketing company. A committee appointed by the Ag Alumni Association chooses the winner from among the many nominees. Congratulations Brandon and Steve! Recruitment Recruitment for the 2009 Fall Semester New Member Class is well underway. We have received approximately 150 recommendations of potential recruits through undergraduate brothers, alumni, CAFNR faculty and the Popp/McBee incoming CAFNR Scholarship. There is no denying that we are off to a strong start for recruiting; however, we can always use more alumni support. It is our job to recruit the best and brightest young men attending the University into our Fraternity, and any guidance we receive from our alumni telling us where to find these men will be greatly appreciated. Please contact one of the recruitment chairs with any recommendations you have as soon as possible! Our fall semester recruiting will continue into the summer, but many recruits have already accepted bids at this point. As always, we appreciate your support and will continue striving to recruit new members that will make you proud! Jason Reichert Recruitment Chairman jlrkb4@mizzou.edu Spencer Thompson Assistant Recruitment cstvxd@mizzou.edu Ryan Distler Assistant Recruitment radgg6@mizzou.edu Michael Manson Assistant Recruitment mjm5xc@mizzou.edu

3 2009 AGR Classic The AGR Classic Heifer and Steer Show was held Feb. 6-7, at the Midway Exposition Center outside of Columbia. Warm weather greeted exhibitors and their families who made the trek to Columbia from 11 different states. The show attracted 350 exhibitors, who showed 510 head of steers and heifers. Evaluating the cattle for the weekend was Judge Kyle Rozboom Brant Mettler served as the chairperson for the 16th Annual Classic. Theta alumnus Cody Brock, 2006 Classic co-chairman, returned for the weekend and assisted with the judging contest. With tremendous organization and assistance from many dedicated and hard working brothers, the show was deemed a great success. Joe Scott served as treasurer and ran the office. Kyle Allen (announcer) and Brett Naylor kept things running in the arena. Sam Cope and Jacob Thompson assisted the photographer, while Neal Martin and Joe Tvrdy headed up the Judging Content. Matt Stock, Brian Ehrich, Tony Ryan and Adam Distler served as ring men, and Michael Manson, Lee Gard, Matt Kahrs, Bryant Kagay and Taylor Hibler lined up the classes. Bob Parks and Taylor Hibler were in charge of weigh-ins. These men were assisted by the brothers as every members of Theta dedicated to or more hours to the success of Classic At the end of the day, Courtney Dickerson s Maine Anjou heifer won the Supreme Champion Heifer. Dickerson hails from Blakesburg, Iowa. Emma Vickland, of Longmont, Colo., and her Crossbred steer were named the Supreme Champion Market Animal The Theta Chapter of the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity sponsored the show, which dates back to Exhibitors represented 11 states including: Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, Virginia and Wisconsin. On April 17, the bell atop Switzer Hall rang out announcing the 82nd Annual Tap Day at the University of Missouri. The Tap Day Left to Right: Kyle Eckler (Mortar Board), Jared Thomas (ODK), Bryant Kagay (Mortar Board) secret societies of LSV, Mortar Board, Mystical Seven, Omicron Delta Kappa, QEBH and the Rollins Society revealed their inductees on this day. Among those tapped into the secret societies were three Theta men. Kyle Eckler, current president of the CAFNR Student Council, was tapped into Mortar Board. The son Three Thetas Tapped Alumni Fish Fry of Mari and Harold Eckler, Kyle is an Agricultural Education major from Shelbina, Mo. Jared Thomas was tapped into Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honorary VNR Recruitment for Theta, Jared is currently the vice-president of recruitment for IFC. An Agricultural Education major from Madison, Mo., Jared is the son of Gay and Doug Thomas. Theta Noble Ruler Bryant Kagay was tapped for Mortar Board. He is also a member of the Alumni Association Student Board. Bryant, the son of Kathy and Berry Kagay, is a mechanical engineering major from Maysville, Mo. Tap Day recognizes the exemplary performances of students in academics and extracurricular activities. Students are selected based on scholarship, leadership and service achievements. On Friday April 24, we held a Fish Fry at the home of Theta adviser, Loyd Wilson. Loyd and his wife, Carol, very generously welcomed the undergraduates along with over 20 alumni and guests to a great spring evening at their home east of Columbia. The undergraduates fried up 55 pounds of catfish, 25 pounds of potatoes and dozens of fried donuts to go with the potato salad, slaw and cornbread. No one went home hungry! We hope this will become an annual event the night before Poverty Party.

4 Jett Wins Cooking Competition Chef Leslie Jett, CEC (Theta 96), captured first place in the Vistive Chef Challenge. He won the $10,000 first prize in February at the 2009 Commodity Classic in Grapevine, Texas. His winning recipe was Crab Cakes with Roasted Red Pepper-Creole Remoulade, cooked in Vistive low-linolenic soybean oil. The Vistive Chef Challenge at the 2008 Farm Progress Show was launched by the Soyfoods council, and Monsanto. Over the past six months, professional chefs nationwide have submitted recipes cooked in Vistive low-linolenic soybean oil, which contains less than 3 percent linolenic acid. A panel of judges narrowed down the entries to three finalists, and the winner was determined by farmers and their families, who voted online. A Supply Corp officer in the US Navy, Leslie returned from an eight month tour of duty in Djibouti, Africa, in September. While there he served as the assistant supply officer and food service officer. He is Chef Jett with his first place award-winning crab cake recipe. (photo courtesy of Chef Magazine) currently executive chef and resident instructor for the Hotel and Restaurant Management program at the University of Missouri. Leslie served as Theta House Dad from 2001 to 2004 and Theta Chapter adviser from 2001 to This year s philanthropy was a great success for Theta. Over $4,300 was raised for the Columbia Shelter for Abused Women and Children. Much of the credit goes to Joe Tvrdy, philanthropy chairman, and his committee. They planned and executed a very successful week of events around a new competition Sorority Feud. Congratulation to Alpha Chi Omega sponsors of the winning team! The week s activities began with dinner on Monday Family Feud Philanthropy evening with the seven queen candidates. After dinner each candidate was interviewed. On Tuesday over 20 volunteers did a service project for the shelter. Serenades were held Tuesday evening. On Wednesday, we had our first barbecue, which included burgers, salads, chips and Tiger Stripe Ice Cream cones! The preliminary feud competition took place that night as well. On Thursday, the banner was judged prior to the Feud Finals Awards for Theta Chapter The men of Theta collected two of the five major Greek Life awards available to the 28 fraternities at Mizzou. The two cups consisted of The President s Cup, which is awarded for leadership within the chapter and on the Mizzou campus, and The Director s Cup, which is awarded for innovative programs for the good of the Brotherhood. The Interfraternity Council selected two outstanding members for the school year and both were members of Theta. Bryant Kagay, current Noble Ruler, won the award and Kyle Eckler was the runner-up. Brett Naylor received Honorable Mention (2nd) for the IFC Presidents Award, Jared Thomas received the Greek Week Scholarship and Mom Marty was named Outstanding House Director. At the May 2, Agriculture Education Banquet, AGRs were honored with three of the four Outstanding Ag Education majors. Jared Henderson was named Outstanding Freshman, Jon Kirchhoff, Outstanding Sophomore and Kyle Allen was Outstanding Senior. Omicron Delta Kappa, a Tap Day Leadership Honorary, started a new tradition this year. They named 14 outstanding freshmen and honored them at a dinner on May 3. Congratulations to Dalton Cullers, one of our spring initiates for receiving this honor.

5 On Jan. 31, Theta held its 93rd Annual Founder s Day at the Chapter House. Alumni from across the state came to reminisce about college days and celebrate the current accomplishments achieved by the undergraduates of Theta Chapter. The day began with a Building Association meeting at 8 a.m. Meanwhile, registration and a continental breakfast began as alumni and guests gathers in the dining room. At 10 a.m., members moved downstairs for initiation and the annual business meeting. James Hundle, assistant to the dean, was initiated. Dean Thomas Payne was present to pin on his badge. After the initiation ceremony and the meetings, everyone adjourned to Eckles Hall for the luncheon prepared by the CAFNR Hotel and Restaurant Management students under the direction of Chef Leslie Jett (Theta 96) CEC, and resident instructor at Mizzou. Chapter President Bryant Kagay, serving as master of ceremonies, introduced Grand President Larry Warren (Theta 65) who gave the keynote address. He shared his 2009 Founders Day 2009 Spring Initiates experiences as an AGR and serving as Grand President. Thirty-three undergraduates received Payne-Longwell Scholarships for achieving a GPA greater than 3.25 for the fall semester VNR Alumni Relations Spencer Thompson handed out chapter awards. Mathew Klinger, Joshua Cochran, Curtis Fischer, David Hudson, Joshua Bondy, Juddson Hagans and Jason Hilton were recognized as 10-year alumni. David Jobe, Alan Kapp, Loyd Wilson and Rick Ayers were recognized as 25-year alumni. Zane Akins, Jimmie Johnson, Founders Day Honorees from the initiate class of 1959 (left to right) Ed Frost, Edward Turner, Charles Stock, Jimmie Johnson, Zane Akins. Charles Stock, Edwin Turner and Ed Frost were recognized as 50-year alumni. Jesse Schwanke and Matthew Peiter were recognized for their years of service as president and secretary of the Building Association. And Leslie Jett and Vernon Pierce were recognized for the years of service as chapter advisers. The day ended with an alumni auction, benefiting the house betterment fund. Items included AGR Crest stamped china, AGR and MU themed gift baskets and steaks. Theta Chapter welcomes new members initiated Jan. 21, 2009 Trent Braungardt (Moscow Mills) Dalton Cullers (Wheaton) Ryan Barns (Polo) Scott Cullers (Troy) Adam Francis (Norborne) Jared Main (Bucklin)

6 Senior Send-Offs Brant Mettler, BS in Agricultural Business Management. Mettler will be moving to Sacramento, Calif., to work for Dow AgroServices. Brett Naylor, BS in Plant Science. Naylor graduated Magna Cum Laude and will be working in Mid Missouri for Midwest Seed Genetics. Kyle Allen, BS in Agricultural Education. Allen will be working as a District Sales Manager Trainee with Crows Seed Company and also as an Auctioneer for Allen Auction and Real Estate LLC. Kyle Ferguson, BS in Agricultural Business Management. Ferguson will be working in Columbia, Mo., for VA Mortgage Company. Mathew Stock, BS in Agricultural Systems Management and Agricultural Economics. Stock will be starting graduate school here at MU, in Biological Engineering with an emphasis in machinery management and precession agricultural. He will also be working as a Precession Agricultural Intern for MFA. Heath Oram, BS in Agricultural Economics Farm and Ranch Planning option. Oram will be working for Cargill Meat Solutions, in Russellville, Ark. Ryan Niemeyer, BS in Agricultural Business Management and a Minor in International Agriculture. Niemeyer will be working as a Commodity Merchandiser for ADM. Sully Fairchild, BS in Natural Resources with an emphasis in Parks and Recreation. Fairchild will be working here in Columbia, Mo. Tyler Jones, BS in Agriculture Systems Management, and a minor Agriculture Economics. He graduated Cum Laude. He plans to work on the family farm. He raises row crops and beef cattle with his father and grandfather. Eric Greenly, BS in Agriculture Systems Management. Greenly plans to return to the family farming operation Knox City, Mo. Kyle Jackson, BS in Communication with emphasis in Organizational Communication. Jackson graduated with Cum Laude honors, and plans on working in Columbia for a few years at the Baptist Student Union, then travel to Africa and make film documentaries about world poverty. Charles Minnick, BS in political science. Minnick is attending Law School here at the University of Missouri this fall. 1st Annual AGR Alumni & Parents Golf Tournament 8:30 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 20 (Sunday After MU vs Furman Game) Located at the A.L. Gustin Golf Course 4 man Scramble Contact Bradley Hoene with questions at:

7 Upcoming Events August Mizzou Football Weekends: Contact us for tailgate information. park in out lot if you don t mind the walk, or join us after the game for snacks and soft drinks. Aug. 8: House Betterment Day Sept. 12: Family Weekend Tigers vs. Bowling Green Sept. 19: Dad s Weekend Tigers vs. Furman Sept. 20 : Alumni & Parents Golf Tournament Oct : Homecoming Weekend Friday evening House Decs Saturday morning Parade followed by a brunch at the Chapter House Saturday afternoon Game Time vs. Texas Feb. 5-7, 2010: AGR Classic Heifer & Beef Show Feb. 6, 2010: Ag Unlimited Aug , 2010: National Convention Meet Me in St. Louis Lost Alumni Below are Theta Chapter s lost brothers, if you have any information, please let us know so we can keep all brothers up to date. Please send information to: Theta Chapter, 602 S. College Ave., Columbia, MO Roll # First/Last Name Init. Date Roll # First/Last Name Init. Date Fred Dewitt Virgil Proffitt John Batt Elbert Barrett Frank Miller Frederick Quick Dwight Hause Raymond Williams Donald Hegeman Donald Abernathy C. David Peterman Kerry Cook George Schumacher Garvin Wilson William Gillespie James Gray Ricky Stamps John Henbest Ricky Watson William Griffin Robert Chapman Ben Plucknett Marshall Metzger Mathew Farris James Watson Thomas Kent Crescent Publishing Service This issue of the Theta Chapter Crescent was published through the Crescent Publishing Service (CPS). This is a special project of the Alpha Gamma Rho Home Office to assist chapters in improving communications with alumni. Chapters pay a small fee for the service below the actual production cost to encourage regular contact. This project is made possible by donations from alumni like you. Please consider contributing James Crews Wesley Donelson Darrell Lathrop Wade Forsythe Robert Kyle Michael Peterson Kenneth Rinehart Dennis Dunivan Christopher Carman Steven Angel Mark Burgess Robert Midles Michael Willis Curt Dunn Stacy Ward Dwain Pyeatt Samuel Matheny Joshua Taylor Jeremiah Johnson Robert Holden Zeb Birdwell Brian Boyd Daniel Bauer Lucas Miller Kurt Korte Ethan Taylor

8 Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity North Ambassador Drive Kansas City, MO RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Theta Chapter Crescent NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Kansas City, MO Permit No Recruitment Recommendation Please help us recruit the best of men. If you know someone who would make a good addition to our Fraternity, please let us know so we can contact him and enhance our brotherhood. Name: Address: address: Phone - home: Classification/Major: Comments: School: Age: Your name and address: Please Mail to: Alpha Gamma Rho Theta Chapter, Attn: Recruitment, 602 S. College Ave., Columbia, MO 65201