Xi Chapter Fall 2004 Crescent Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity Auburn University Phone: 334-826-7444 The National Social-Professional Agricultural Fraternity Xi Chapter Alumni Spotlight: Stan Wilson & William E. Hardy Written By: J.H. Harmon, VNR Alumni Relations Stan Wilson grew up on a row crop and livestock farm in Escambia County, Alabama. He attended Auburn University, graduating with a B. S. Degree in Animal Sciences in 1954. Wilson also received his M. S. degree in Animal Sciences from Auburn University in 1954. He received his Ph.D. in Animal Genetics from Oklahoma State University in 1961. He served on the faculty at Purdue University from 1961 to 1975. Subsequently, Stan served as Associate Director, Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station from 1975-1980. He also served as Vice President of Auburn University from 1980-1985 and was Executive V. P., Council for Agricultural Sciences and technology from 1990-1992. Wilson is now retired from the purebred cattle business. He and his wife, Barbara donated their Angus cattle herd to the Animal Sciences department as a teaching herd for the College of Agriculture. Although retired, Wilson has an office as an affiliate professor in the College of Animal Sciences, which mostly consisted of participating in seminars and some occasional teaching. Stan and his wife Barbara love Auburn and love living in a college town. However he stresses that Xi Chapter s alumni support is extremely important for developing programs for the future of Xi Chapter. He further stresses that the younger alumni must get more involved in order to keep Xi Chapter strong. Stan is truly prime example of four years and a lifetime. William E. Hardy was raised on a cattle and tobacco farm in Pennsylvania County, Virginia. Hardy received his B.A., M.A., and Doctorate from Virginia Tech in Agricultural Economics. He also received his J. D. from Jones Law School in Montgomery. Upon graduation in June 1972, Hardy served 90 days in the Air Force fulfilling his commitment to the armed services. He began working at Auburn University on October 5, 1972. Hardy s move to Auburn was originally temporary, but fortunately for the students of AG Hill, he has been with us ever since. Hardy says he cannot ever imagine wanting to leave Auburn. He says that the greatest award from teaching at Auburn is seeing students succeed in academics and in life too. In 2000, William was promoted to Associate Dean to the College of Agriculture. William also serves as advisor for the College of Agriculture s Ag- Ambassadors. Hardy was given honorary alumni status at Xi Chapter on Founder s Day, April 5, 2002. He stated that becoming a member of AGR was truly a highlight in his life. William is truly a great asset to the university. He is one of the most caring and outgoing Professors that I have ever had in college. The Brothers of Xi Chapter are very honored to have William Hardy as an alumnus of AGR.
Adviser Report By Jim Bannon The year, has been very good for Xi Chapter, especially from the perspective of alumni involvement. Strong chapters have strong alumni involvement and Xi Chapter appreciates the support from all of its alumni. Brother Brian P. Moore, Alumni Corporation Secretary, and I accompanied the chapter to the 2004 Leadership Seminar in Atlanta, Georgia. Brother Bill Farrington, Xi Board of Governors and former Regional VP, and his lovely wife, Susie, joined us there where Bill had a part on the program. We were able to enjoy a night out in Atlanta with Bill, Susie, Richard Kelly, Southeast Regional VP, Thad Koenigsfeld and others at an outstanding restaurant. In February Brother Tom Beaty was inducted into the Agriculture Hall of Honor, which recognizes those outstanding individuals who have made significant contributions to agriculture. Brother Beaty along with his wife, Kay, were honored at a banquet for Tom s career achievements. Brother Beaty was instrumental in the establishment of Universal Blanchers, Inc. where peanuts are processed for manufacture of numerous value added food products. Although he is retired, Tom is yet very active in agricultural alumni circles, and he can usually be found at Ag Heritage Park tailgating prior to Auburn University home football games. He currently resides on his family farm in Coosa County. Brother Jim Brady s family of IOKA Farm, Inc. received the Alabama Farm Analysis Association s Top Farm Analysis Cooperator Award at the Alabama Farmer s Federation Commodity Conference. Brother Brady and his son, Brother Brad Brady, are both Xi Chapter alumni. Brother Brady was also responsible for funding that enabled remodeling of the College of Agriculture conference room in Comer Hall. Thanks to Brother Jim Brady and his family for their contributions to agriculture. Xi Chapter alumni were well represented at the 2004 National Convention. The event was attended by E. T. and Vam York, Stan and Barbara Wilson, Jim and Betty Buford, Jim Cravey, Brian Moore and Jim Bannon. Congratulations to all of these Xi alumni and others who were selected as Brothers of the Century. Xi alumni also sponsored the Annual Alumni Barbecue Supper for new members in the fall. Stan Wilson always does an outstanding job to prepare the barbecued chicken. Thanks also to Barbara Wilson for preparing the barbeque sauce. Xi Chapter would like to express its appreciation to Brother Paul Pinyan (Xi Club Treasurer) for providing helpful financial guidance to the chapter. Congratulations to Paul for completing the requirements for his law degree and successfully passing the bar examination. Xi Chapter would also like to express its appreciation to Jarrod Grace, VP Xi Club, Inc., Craig Armstrong, President, Xi Club, Inc., Brian Moore, Secretary, Xi Club, Inc., and other members of the Xi Board of Governors who have provided leadership and inspiration to the Chapter during 2004. The chapter has just elected new collegiate officers, and we look forward to working with alumni to make 2005 an outstanding year for Xi Chapter. Xi Chapter Thoughts and Prayers List: Our troops in harms way Xi Chapter Alumni in harms way: Our Nation President Bush and our leaders Alumni and their families Collegiate brothers and their families
Noble Ruler Report Finance Report As VNR-Finance, I am pleased to inform you our financial status is good. We have about the same amount of brothers this year, which means about the same income. Our monthly income is around $22,000 which is complementary for our needs. I am currently revising our current budget for the upcoming year to continue our financial efficiency. Our goal with our revised budget is to be consistent with sound accounting practices that may in turn lead to the continuance of Xi Chapter being fiscally responsible and prioritizing all expenditures based on accounts receivable. Our financial status is on the rise and will continue to improve with the extended efforts from our recruitment. Clay Mann As noble ruler, I would like to say that I am excited about the participation and support that Xi Chapter has been getting from our alumni this year. Xi Club and the collegiate brothers have been planning a new member and older brother project to build brotherhood and at the same time make the chapter house look nicer. On September 22, we had our annual new member barbeque. I would to thank all alumni who could attend and also a special thanks to Brother Stan Wilson for cooking the food. We also had another successful recruitment campaign this past summer. Xi Chapter initiated nine outstanding young men. On August 15-18 collegiate delegates and alumni attended our national convention in Columbus, Ohio. At the convention, the Alpha Gamma Rho Brothers of the Century award was given to the best of the best members in our fraternity s 100 years. Among them from Xi Chapter were: Bill Alverson, Gene Alfred, Lawrence Crawford, Stanley Wilson, James Lawson, E. T. York, John Lee, E. V. Smith, Pete Turham, Henry Long, Jim Buford, Seth Hammett, Scott Slocum, John Pritchett, William Powell, Stanley Appleton, Jim Bannon, James Cravey, Bill Farington, Brian Moore, Merle Flowers, and Rob Rhoades. The delegates that attended the convention had a wonderful time and enjoyed their experience. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at (256) 603-2980. Bryn Butler Recruitment Report Recruitment for the Xi Chapter this summer and fall has established a new member class of nine guys. Summer recruitment kept the Recruitment Committee on the road. We traveled from Destin, Florida to Livingston, Alabama meeting and entertaining potential members. I could not have had the positive summer I did if it were not for my recruitment committee: T P Bullock, J D Courier, and Whit Welch. The four of us spent countless hours on the phone calling potential members here at Xi Chapter. We also organized and planned rush events. I would also like to give a special thanks to Mrs. Bannon for her help in producing a great rush brochure. The rush events this summer were here in Auburn, Livingston, and Eufaula. Special thanks to Cody Eiland for letting us use his house for the lake party. Rush for Xi Chapter is a constant evolution and we as members must not forget that we need to continue rush outside of formal and summer rush. While the fall class was not large in size, they lacked nothing in quality. The new class has continued to impress members and alumni while strengthening and growing through Brotherhood. Thanks again for all those that helped to obtain the quality new member class that we have for the fall. Dennis Busby
Alumni Relations Report Founder s Day is set for Saturday April 9, 2005. I am very excited about the upcoming Founder s Day. Ed Richardson will be our keynote speaker. Brother Richardson was selected as Auburn s interim president last January. It is truly an honor to have a Xi Chapter alumnus like Richardson as Auburn s president. Although I graduate fall semester, I plan to help the new alumni relations officer as much as I can with the planning of Founder s Day. On Saturday we will have the business meeting at 10:00 a.m., and lunch at 12:00 p.m. After lunch we will have an awards banquet and an auction with proceeds from the auction funding the Xi Education Foundation and the collegiate chapter. All alumni, their families, and potential rushees are encouraged to attend. If there are any questions please feel free to contact me at (256) 846-0573, or at home: (256) 363-2672. Last year, Founder s Day was a huge success, but the alumni attendance was not what I expected. I want to challenge all alumni to bring five of their pledge brothers to Founder s Day. I look forward to seeing everyone at Founder s Day. J. H. Harmon Crescent Publishing Service This issue of the Xi Crescent was published through the Crescent Publishing Service (CPS). This is a special project of the AGR 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 using the enclosed card. Xi Chapter Brothers Speak at Dedication Ceremony Representative Joe Carothers, Jr., 57, from Dothan, Alabama, 86th District, and Ed Richardson, 60, Interim President of Auburn University, recently spoke at the dedication of the new laboratory/office facility at the Wiregrass Research and Extension Center, Headland, Alabama on October 6, 2004. Brother Carothers, who is also a farmer and previously a vocational agriculture teacher, stated that the new building was a tremendous improvement over the previous structure that frequently leaked when it rained. Brother Richardson stated that the new facility was a step in the right direction to position agriculture for the future. He also stated that the facility was congruent with his objectives to strengthen and improve the College of Agriculture at Auburn University. Xi Chapter salutes both Brothers Richardson and Carothers for their continued support of Alabama agriculture! Ed Richardson is in the photo at left and Joe Carothers is in the right photo.
This fall we have nine new brothers of Alpha Gamma Rho. I feel like we have an outstanding group of guys, that are very committed and excited about this fraternity, and I know they will grow to be great leaders within the fraternity. The new members include: Fall 2004 New Members William (Buck) Jehle - Buck is a junior majoring in Agricultural Economics, and is from Montgomery, Alabama, where he attended Saint James College Prep. While there he was involved in Fellowship of Christian Athletes, football, and wrestling. Josh Riley - Josh is from Talladega, Alabama, and he is a freshman majoring in Animal Science Pre-Vet. Josh attended Talladega High School where he was part of FFA, National Honor Society, and played varsity football and golf. Robert (Beau) DeVautour III - Beau is from Memphis, Tennessee and is a freshman majoring in Finance with a minor in International Business. In high school he was in Key Club, Spanish Club, the Ultimate Frisbee Club, and was a Big Brother. He also played football, wrestling, golf, and soccer for his high school. James (Jamie) Huddleston - Jamie is from Muscle Shoals, Alabama, and is a freshman majoring in Mass Communication. In high school he was in National Honor Society, FCA, Student Council, and played varsity football for Muscle Shoals High School. Brad Murray - Brad is a junior majoring in Landscape Horticulture, from Hackleburg, Alabama. In high school he was involved with FFA, SGA, National Honor Society, football, basketball, and baseball. He attended Bevill State Community College, where he went on a baseball scholarship, before attending Auburn. Blake Thomason - Blake is from Muscle Shoals, Alabama. He is a freshman majoring in Mechanical Engineering. He attended Muscle Shoals High School where he was in FCS, FCA, and played varsity football. John Garigliano - John is a wildlife major from Grahamsville, New York. He is a freshman from upstate New York where he attended Tri-Valley High School. He was class president, played soccer and baseball, and was involved in FFA, and Boy Scouts. Heath Gober - Heath is from McCalla, Alabama. He is a freshman majoring in Agricultural Economics. He attended McAdory High School where was involved in FFA. Cory Snyder - Cory is a freshman from Pensacola, Florida majoring in Industrial and Systems Engineering. He went to Pensacola Catholic High School, and has a scholarship in engineering. I am really excited about these new members and I am very impressed with their leadership qualities. I know this will be another successful year for Xi Chapter and I am looking forward to watching these new members develop into better men. Will Harding - VNR Membership Development Xi # 1708 Please keep your address and contact information up to date by visiting www.agrs.org and clicking on the Update Address link on the right side. Home Office: 10101 North Ambassador Drive Phone: 816-891-9200 Kansas City, MO 64153 Fax: 816-891-9401 agrs@alphagammarho.org
Xi Chapter Loses Two Irriplacable Leaders Lawrence Crawford former Perry County Farmers Federation, died August 3, 2004. He was 83 years old. Crawford was a Veterinarian in Perry County. He owned a timber and cattle farm. He served as President of both the Veterinary Medical Association and the Alabama Angus Association. Crawford was an honorary Vice President of the Alabama Cattlemen s Association. He was a lifelong Alumni Director of Xi Chapter of AGR, whose Recreation Center is dedicated in his honor. Lawrence Crawford was one of the greatest AGR s he had ever known, Wilson said. He never turned his back in Xi Chapter. Lawrence says Brother Crawford had a tremendous love for Xi Chapter. Whenever Xi Chapter needed help in anyway, Crawford was always the first Brother to respond and had a hand to help the fraternity whether it was monetary or just volunteering his time to programs concerning the chapter House. Byron Wallace was another great AGR Brother who never turned his back on the fraternity. Dr. Stan Wilson stated that Byron Wallace was a solid individual who gave his time to AGR. When I came to Auburn in the fall of 2002, Byron was one of the first alumni I came in contact with at the house. He was patient and easy going. Byron always had a good story to tell. He also was an excellent mind reader. Byron was our Kate. The older alumni know what I am talking about. Byron truly had a passionate love for AGR and especially Xi Chapter. He truly was a wonderful individual whose door was always open to brothers with a problem or they just wanted to talk about how their day had gone. Byron was shining example of four years and a lifetime. Written By: J. H. Harmon II Editor s Note: This Xi Crescent is dedicated in loving memory of Byron Wallace and Lawrence Crawford. Xi Chapter Web Site! Alumni please visit our web site. The address is www.xiclub.org. This web site contains a wealth of information and is still growing. Our goal is to use the web site as a form of communication between our alumni and the collegiate brothers. On the web site you will find: Postings and information on Alumni Events An alumni news section (births, moves, promotions, etc.) Favorite quotes and stories Information about the Chapter Board of Governors information (includes current roster) A section to update your records and lost alumni The brothers of Xi Chapter believe that alumni are very important. Alumni are encouraged to visit our Xi Club web site to keep up with current events with Xi Chapter.
Xi Chapter Brothers Celebrating AGR s Centennial Convention in Columbus, Ohio Top picture left to right: Brian P. Moore, James Buford Jr., E.T. York, Stan Wilson, James Bannon, and Jim Cravey Picture at right: Bottom left: E.T. York and Stan Wilson Bottom right: Xi Chapter collegiate Brothers leaving for Ohio; Clay Mann, Jeremy Till, Mitchell Martin, Chase Curlee, Will Harding, and Cody Eiland.
Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity 10101 North Ambassador Drive Kansas City, MO 64153-1395 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Kansas City, MO Permit No. 4092 Wanted Alumni News The next issue of the Xi Chapter Crescent should be full of news about you and other alumni brothers. However, we need your help to make this happen. Let us know about recent developments in your life, or that of other alumni who you have come in contact with. Please fill out the questionnaire below, and send it to: Alpha Gamma Rho, 831 Lem Morrison Drive, Auburn, Alabama 36832. Any additional comments and a recent picture will be most helpful. If you have moved, please send us your new address. Name: Year Initiated: Graduation Year: Major: New Address: Telephone Number: Children (Name and age): Wife s Name: Comments: (includes information such as occupation, employer, fraternity and university activities as an undergrad and as a alumnus, hobbies, current or past public offices, membership in service clubs and professional assoc.,etc.):