Alpha Gamma Rho - Penn State University

2 Gamma Crescent cleaning. These work sessions taught me the power of WE and not just ME. We all learned that working together as a brotherhood, we could accomplish great things. Being an ΑΓΡ at Penn State, I learned some quirky traits that follow me every day. Not sure if the brothers still teach this, but we were always taught to put our knife and fork at 5 o'clock on our plate when done eating. This was our signal to let the servers know we were done dining and they could take our plate. It is a habit that I continue today. We learned old ΑΓΡ fraternity songs that have been passed down through many generations. I even tend to sing these to my wife and my ΑΓΡ brothers when we get together. ΑΓΡ has been a source of lifelong friendships and career opportunities no matter where I live. My pledge class and brothers from the house stay in touch regularly, even though we may not see each other for several years. We have been a part of each other's weddings, celebrated new children, successes, failures, losses, divorces, health crises, and even successful matchmaking. No matter where we are, we do what we can to support each other. As the old saying goes, you only get out as much as you put into something. I am glad I went all-in when I joined the brotherhood of ΑΓΡ. The experience has given me lifelong friendships, new friends all over the country, and I always have that special place that no matter where I am will always be called home. ΑΓΡ was the catalyst for success in my professional and personal life. I have worked for several companies in the food industry, and currently work for Sargento Foods in Plymouth, Wis. And each company gave me a unique skill set. Always remember to take the good with the bad and learn from each experience to propel yourself further with each new opportunity. My first job after I graduated in 1988 was with Cargill in Janesville, Wis. I had planned on getting some experience under my belt and then would move back to the east coast to be near my family. As many of you know, things don't always work out according to our plan. Shortly after starting my new job, I met Jody, my beautiful wife. Jody has been my best friend and wife for 27 years. We have two amazing sons, Nick (23) and Alex (20). We are proud of both. I believe my experience at AGR made me a better man to be the best husband and father I could be. I want to leave you with this last thought of how I view brotherhood. I love this definition: "From the outside, it's hard to understand, from the inside, it's hard to explain, but it feels amazing when you find it." I found brotherhood at Gamma Chapter of Alpha Gamma Rho and it was the best decision, other than marrying my wife, I have ever made in my life. Fraternally, John "Mega" Merenick '86 (Γ1236) johnm1236@gmail.com john.merenick@sargento.com The Purpose of Alpha Gamma Rho (Continued from page 1) LOCATE contact information for brothers who are missing out on the Gamma Crescent. See list on page 6. PROVIDE your email address to receive our digital updates (we're likely missing it). Contact Jesse Hallowell '97 (Γ1392) at jch172psualum@gmail.com, Jon Schroer '90 (Γ1289) at jschroer@ecolab.com, or Jon Tabolt '06 (Γ1522) at jonathan. tabolt@gmail.com. VOLUNTEER as a board member. Contact Alumni President Jon Tabolt '06 (Γ1522) at jonathan.tabolt@gmail.com to express interest and ask questions. ATTEND Gamma Chapter events. Join us for the next Homecoming event and visit our website at www.agrgamma.com for more ways to connect. DONATE at www.agrgamma.com/giving to support our alumni programming and undergraduates. CONNECT with others using the alumni directory stored at www.agrgamma.com/ alumni. Alumni EngAgEmEnt ComEs in mAny Forms How Can You Help ΑΓΡ?

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