Alpha Gamma Rho - University of Arkansas

The Alpha Iota Messenger 4 alpha iota b rother roy runyan '63 noted that Founder's Day 2014 was "one of the best, if not the best, Founder's Days we have ever had." On a beautiful spring day in Fayetteville, more than 170 people celebrated Alpha Iota's 80th year on the University of Arkansas campus. Brothers came from across the country and represented each decade from the 1950s to present day. More than 60 alumni brothers were present and met the morning of April 5 in the Agriculture Building on campus to hear updates from the undergraduates, discuss the business matters of the fraternity, and set the course for the future of the alumni chapter for the following year. This included pressing forward with the Rebuilding on a Proud Past campaign and our pursuit of a new Chapter House for the actives. From the reports given by Noble Ruler chandler ault '11 and Chapter Advisor larry ropp, Western Illinois '63, it was clear that the undergraduates performed extraordinarily well in the fall. It was evident that the undergraduates have remained hopeful that the alumni will help them build a new Chapter House, where they can experience the same kind of brotherhood that we encountered by living in a Chapter House. During the business meeting and celebration at the U of A Agri Park, the Chapter graciously hosted Grand Vice President of AGR National cal Willemssen, South Dakota State '66. He was encouraging to the Chapter in our endeavor for a new house and commended us in approving the continuance of our fundraising efforts. Brother Willemssen reported that if you have or are thinking about donating to the Educational Foundation, the chapter you marked your gift to would receive every penny that was donated. The ways that the funds can be used by the Chapter focus on a project's total educational purposes (on a percentage basis vs. the total cost of the project) and would start to flow back to the Chapter once a project has begun. Once a project has begun, 20% of the funds raised can be given to the Chapter upfront to help with costs and fundraising with the remaining given to the Chapter over a six-year period of time or more. He reiterated that this was how National can keep your donations tax deductible, but if the Chapter needs things to move quicker they must provide non-tax-deductible dollars to the local corporation (at least to get the project started). After Brother Willemssen conveyed his support of Alpha Iota and answered questions, the Chapter held its officer elections that provided the results on page 5. Once business matters were settled, the alumni joined their families and guests and met the undergraduates and their dates at Agri Park to celebrate the Chapter's 80th anniversary. A great time was had by all. Brothers from across the country and all ages were able to get to know each other and interact. We were blessed to have an incredible meal catered by chuck peacock '78 and his family. To surprise the alumni, the undergraduates also brought the Shamrock out to Agri Park for all to see. As this relic is an important part of Alpha Iota's history, many brothers enjoyed taking pictures and were glad to see that it was salvaged from the Razorback Road house and remained in such prime condition. It is the actives' hope that they once again could anchor the shamrock down at the location of the new Chapter House. During the celebration, the Alumni Association was proud to honor two brothers for their service to the fraternity. Undergraduate Brother John forsyth '10 was awarded Outstanding AGR Member and Scholarship for his service as Noble Ruler the previous year and for his leadership in Alpha Iota's success through fall recruitment. Advisor and Brother Larry Ropp, was honored by the Alpha Iota Chapter as the Outstanding AGR Alumnus of the Year and was awarded honorary membership into the Alpha Iota Chapter and a lifetime membership into the Alpha Iota Chapter Alumni Association. Larry was given this award for his commitment to the undergraduates of the Alpha Iota Chapter. The Alumni Association can't thank him enough for his guidance of the actives through these challenging times. The alumni wanted him to know that he will forever be thought of as one of us in the Alpha Iota Chapter as much as he is at his home chapter of Alpha Tau. Founder's Day was full of fun and fellowship as brothers played golf, attended the Razorback baseball game vs. South Carolina, and enjoyed the Fayetteville nightlife. Brothers from the '60s even rented out a leisure room in Fayetteville for their reunion, and they have challenged others to match them in future Founder's Day attendance. The 2014 Founder's Day was a success financially as well, as the Chapter raised $15,000 for the building campaign. It is the Alumni Association's goal to continue our momentum from Founder's Day and provide opportunities for alumni to get involved with the active chapter. The board is planning events, including a Bumpers College active and alumni social, an alumni-sponsored summer recruitment event, and our fall alumni meeting and tailgate. Memories from "one of the best founder's days ever"

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