Alpha Gamma Rho - University of Minnesota

LAMBDA CRESCENT | Fall 2021 Creating Our New Normal Lambda finds success during pandemic The past school year gave everyone at Lambda things to reflect on and learn from. COVID-19 put a damper on Homecoming, sports, in-person classes, and recruiting. Even so, we experienced great success, and with a little creativity, many things went very well! This spring semester reminded us of what a "normal" semester feels like as we got to participate in our annual softball game against Farmhouse. All members (and a small crowd) were able to watch AGR bring home the victory. Our seniors enjoyed one last hoorah, and our new members took their first glimpse at one of our chapter's longest traditions. Minnesota Royal, although organized a bit differently this year, had 100% participation from AGR. Brothers spent multiple weeks training their animals for the week's biggest event: the showmanship contest. A strong showing in the quiz bowl, judging contest, and milkmaid helped us secure MN Royal's top organization award for the fifth year in a row! Our annual steer and heifer show, the AGR Northstar Showdown, was another success. Record attendance on Memorial Day weekend was amazing to see. Guests of all ages exhibited some tremendous animals at the Goodhue County fairgrounds. We may need a new venue in the future as the show continues to grow. At the time of writing, recruitment is going well. I am excited to work with our new executive team. Lambda is in an excellent position to build on old 104th Founder's Day Oct. 9, 2021 | 2:00 p.m. | AGR House Lambda's Founder's Day is traditionally held each April. In 2020, we held a scaled back business meeting at the chapter house to meet our bylaws' stipulation for an annual meeting. We again delayed Founder's Day in 2021 as Covid concerns lingered. Although many brothers have likely received a vaccine, the Alumni Corp has decided to hold another 'scaled back' business meeting at the chapter house on October 9 at 2 p.m. All alumni are welcome to join in-person, or via video/phone. We'll post a weblink and call-in instructions at umnagr.com for brothers who are more comfortable connecting from their home. The business meeting will be followed by an informal BBQ at the chapter house around 5 p.m. Brothers and spouses/guests are welcome. There will not be a fee for the BBQ, but donations will be accepted by the Alumni Corporation. To make sure we have enough food, please RSVP for the BBQ to Trevor Woyda #1843, VNR Alumni Relations at woyda010@umn.edu. Gopher football fans, please note that October 9 is a bye week. traditions while sparking new ones. We have a driven team that will turn ideas into realities. Fraternally, Conner Holthaus #1817 2021 Noble Ruler holth039@umn.edu | (320) 241-5893 Brothers celebrate with the Minnesota Royal trophy 2020 Man of the Year Lambda's highest honor, recognizing outstanding men for a lifetime of achievement and service. Congratulations to Richard "Dick" Barnes #858! Originally from Martin County, Dick received his degree in agribusiness in 1964. While at the U, he became involved in the MAST program that brings foreign exchange students to the U.S. for education and internships. This experience ignited his passion for global affairs. Through MAST, Dick lived and worked on a German farm for 18 months. He returned to the U.S. for a graduate degree at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs. For 28 years, Dick supported U.S. agriculture through the USDA's Foreign Ag Service at the embassies in Venezuela, Spain, Germany, Mexico, and the United Kingdom. He played a role in everything from NAFTA to the "Mad Cow" crisis. After retirement, Dick continued working abroad representing the U.S. soybean industry and as interim president for an organization representing animal ag welfare. Now retired (again!), he and his wife, Faye, live near Fredericksburg, Virginia. Attend Founder's Day to meet Lambda's next Man of the Year.

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