Alpha Gamma Rho - University of Minnesota

Lambda: Proud Past — Promising Future Our executive officer team has worked hard to maintain Chapter rituals and cohesion during the time Brothers lived outside of the Chapter House. Here, the 2014 team gathers to continue the work. s U P P o r T i n g T h e F U T U r e o F Ag r i C U LT U r e Spotlight on Kent Holden '67 W hen Kent Holden '67 transferred from the University of Minnesota's Morris branch to St. Paul, he was looking to find a group of people that he could connect and experience college life with. AGR stood out with members whose values lined up with his own. "I was really impressed by the diversity I saw in AGR. Not everyone was from Midwest farm country and not everyone was in agriculture. The Brothers were visible on campus, involved in activities, and there were a lot of good guys. It opened up a lot of avenues in all parts of my life, and I got to know a broad range of friends." Kent pursued academics as well as the social aspect of college, broadening his horizons through AGR along the way. Earning his degree in agricultural economics, Kent entered into the agricultural business and now runs his family farm with his brother. They work to raise hogs and turkeys with Kent's three sons and his nephew on the farm they inherited from their father. Having visited campus recently to speak to the undergraduate members about his business, Kent had a quick look at how the Chapter operates today. "They're still putting on a coat and tie for Chapter meetings and the way they hold the meetings is still very similar to my experience." Kent sees in these men the future of agriculture in the United States. "The American consumer is so far removed from the farm, creating a challenge in getting the consumer to understand what it means to produce food. There's a dire need to bring people into the farm community and the production side. We're in the ag business and we see a need for bringing bright young people into the ag community. AGR can play a big part in bringing people in and a new Chapter House can't help but support that cause. I want to do everything I can to support people in agriculture." "With what they've done to that house, they can't help but attract more people. There is competition among the fraternities, but AGR is wonderful for men on campus." Kent has seen the benefits of membership in AGR play out in his personal and professional life. "In my professional life, it's amazing how many people belong to AGR from other states and areas. I meet people all the time who are members and have employees who are also Brothers. You see commonalities in values and get the chance to talk about what their experiences were." These similarities and the lifelong friendships gained from membership means to Kent that contributing to the Capital Campaign allows these opportunities to be present for the next generation. Brother Dean R. Anderson '56 gathering area also proudly displays chapter tropies. The game room provides a place for Brothers to relax after their studies. The new Chapter room provides ample meeting space for our brotherhood. Your Dollars Made the Difference AGR defends the spittoon in football, increasing the streak to five consecutive victories.

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