Alpha Gamma Rho - University of Arkansas

REBUILDING ON A PROUD PAST Rodney Baker '72 Encourages Alumni to Make AGR a Priority A "natural fit" is the way Rodney Baker '72 describes joining Alpha Gamma Rho. The fraternity has meant a great deal to Rodney throughout his life and when the opportunity came to support the capital campaign, he says it felt like the right thing to do. "AGR was truly home away from home for me. I made some lifelong friends and my best friends there. I learned life lessons and responsibility. I learned more than I knew coming in about getting along with others. The friendships and brotherhood are very real. Responsibility to that brotherhood is very real." Rodney encourages alumni to give back to the organization that gave them a positive college experience. "Others built the Chapter House that we lived in and received the benefit of it. The house added to the experience for those of us who lived there. It's time now to make that benefit available to others," he said. "I gave because it's important to continue the legacy of the Chapter. I got so much out of it and thought it was the right thing to do. Whether or not my son goes there, I want other young men and other fraternity brothers' sons to have the same opportunity I had." Rodney also feels that it is important for individuals going into the agriculture industry to form relationships in college, and AGR can give young men a solid foundation for networking in the industry. "Giving is not always easy," he said. "Not a day goes by that I don't have one to six opportunities to give to something. It is a matter of prioritizing, and in my opinion, right behind your church, AGR should be prioritized." Rodney's involvement in the campaign has given him the opportunity to reengage with the Chapter, and he has enjoyed being a part of the campaign board and getting more involved in Chapter activities such as recruitment events. He encourages the men of the Chapter to pay close attention to their studies, in addition to the developments in agriculture. "Technology is changing the landscape rapidly. An alumnus going into agriculture needs to be aware of how fast the industry can change." He also encourages the members to take care of the active Chapter. "It is part of what will determine who and what you are," he said. AGRs have been colleagues and friends to Rodney throughout his life and he cherishes these relationships. "Almost everyone I know in the fraternity can be away from these guys for several years and come back together for a few minutes and have it be like they haven't been apart. It's a brotherhood and camaraderie that renews. A friendship with history that when revisited is a very rich kind of experience." Rodney has worked at Arkansas Farm Bureau since graduating with a bachelor's in animal husbandry and master's in agricultural economics. He has held various positions in the organization with increasing responsibility and today is the executive vice president. Rodney and his wife, Judy, live in Little Rock, Ark., and have two children, Sydney Ross (27) and Austin (17). Rodney enjoys traveling, hunting, and coaching a trap shooting team for the Arkansas Youth Shooting Sports Program. You can contact him at rodney.baker@arfb.com. MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN ALPHA IOTA'S LEGACY Add Your Name to Our List of Contributors Today! W e are deeply grateful to the 133 brothers and friends who have contributed $629,552 to the Rebuilding on a Proud Past campaign. These alumni recognize the importance of ensuring the future of Alpha Iota and have demonstrated a sense of gratitude for their personal experience. Commitments are still needed from the rest of our alumni to achieve our goal of $1 million. All donors contributing a minimum of $2,500 or more to the campaign, over a five-year period, will be recognized on a plaque prominently displayed in the Chapter House. If an error has been made in recording your gift, or your name has been mistakenly omitted or listed improperly, we sincerely apologize. Please advise our campaign coordinator at (785) 843-1661. Thank you, loyal alumni! The Order of Crescent ($50,000 and above) James E. Mitchell '72 In memory of Danny Metz '67 and Don Metz '70 J. Kirk Thompson '72 Mark Waldrip '74 In honor of Dr. Paul Noland '52 The Order of Pink Rose ($25,000 to $49,999) James V. Atkinson '51 In memory of Edgar "Buck" Lloyd '39, Pin #115, WWII CMOH Pendergrass Family Gift John Paul Pendergrass '74 Eric L. Pendergrass '99 Greg Satterfield '74 Kevin Barrows '78 In memory of Gary Dabbs '78 The Order of Shamrock ($15,000 to $24,999) James E. Burton '62 In memory of Wayne E. Pyles '57, Capt. Larry Lewis '61, and Danny Metz '67 Rodney D. Baker '72 Jerry B. Burkett '76 In memory of Gary Groce '74 The Order of Green and Gold ($10,000 to $14,999) Gary F. Norris '60 In memory of Larry Fry '59 and Charles Sax '59 Jim Marrs '62 William N. Groce '72 In memory of Nolan Groce '46 and Gary Groce '74 Looney Family Gift Charles Looney '74 Chris Looney '02 Jordan and Kerri May '00 The Order of Shield ($5,000 to $9,999) Paul R. Noland '52 In honor of Mother Moore Leamon D. Williams '55 Frank L. Carter '62 In honor of Joyce Russell Carter, Sweetheart '64-'65 Roy Runyan Jr. '63 In memory of Glenn Will, Theta '23, and Jake Phillips '48 Russell O. Black '64 Billy D. O'Bar '64 In memory of Danny Metz '67 Kenneth J. May '66 Bill Moss '67 Everett I. Rogers '68 Douglas L. Threlkeld '71 Clarence H. Overbay '72 In memory of Steven Bennett '76 Charles J. Peacock IV '77 James V. Smith '77 In memory of Rodney Kilbourn '76 and Ricky Camp '77 Bullington Family Gift Roy Lynn Bullington '78 Jeremy Bullington '01 Chuck Farr '83 Thomas J. Hart '89 Eastin Jordan '97 Adam Perotti '97 Jeff M. Marcussen '98 Fallen Family Gift Scott Fallen '99 Kirk Keller '01 Reece B. Bailey '04 Jeff Pratt '04 Fendley Ragland '04 Mitchell S. Thomas '04 Will Davis '06 Nathaniel L. Sullivan '07 The Order of Lamp and Tree ($2,500 to $4,999) Bobby A. Huey '52 Steven K. Cranford '53 In honor of Dr. Paul R. Noland '52 Robert C. Loewer '55 Robert F. Keathley '63 In memory of Garland Grace '62 Sam W. Kerr '63 William H. Moore '63 In memory of Mother Moore Robert H. Rhodes '64 Joe L. Keathley '65 In memory of Alan '65 and Tim Pack '67 Ford Baldwin '66 In memory of Mike Meshew '67 Wayland K. Holloway '66 In memory of Sully Ligon '53 Lenny Benton '67 Paul H. Shaver '68 In memory of Danny Metz '67 Terry Vest '68 In memory of Alvin Vest '47 Dick E. Willis '68 In memory of Danny Metz '67 Nathan Bagley '69 Alan Fortenberry '69 In memory of Jimmie D. Ladd Jr. '70 William R. McDonald '70 James A. Wood '70 Brent Howton '72 Bill M. Sossamon '72 Steven Lee Cranford '82 Todd L. Martin '83 Rusty Smith '83 In honor of Randall Smith '80 John J. LaCour '88 Corbin L. Brown '89 J. Eric Cupp '92 Joe Ferguson '95 Jeffrey R. Priebe '95 Benjamin J. Watts '99 Jay Mirus '00 Casey Rogers '00 Eric J. Wright '00 Russell Harding '02 Lee Raney '03 Corey Wilson '05 DJ Pruitt '06 Tristan Hudson '07 The Order of Loyal Brotherhood ($1,000 to $2,499) Perry L. Adkisson '47 In memory of Sally Moore Larry H. Pitman '54 Wayne E. Pyles '57 Max Parnell '62 Philip H. Pile '65 In memory of Johnny Gossage '65 and Alan Pack '65 James E. Aikman '67 In memory of Danny Metz '67 Kenneth R. Cupples '67 In memory of Danny Metz '67 Walter H. Goin III '67 Dwight V. Morris '67 In memory of Larry McCain '66 Richard K. Imboden '68 Lee A. Earhart '74 Steven Williams '76 Chet Chaney '82 In memory of Randall Smith '80 John P. Verkamp '83 Ken J. Rossi '91 Levon Ogden III '97 K. William Schuhknecht '00 Jordan Compton '08 Samuel D. Roberts '09 John J. Forsyth '10 Jordan R. Thomas '10 Matthew Beck '11 William E. Maples '11 Dillon L. Mizer '11 Justin Olsen '11 Dakota J. Sloan '11 Bryce A. Theby '11 David J. Harris '12 Adam K. Jackson '12 Austen Ward '12 1931 AGR Club (Up to $999) Harold D. Hill '53 Robert A. Hill '59 J.O. Hoggard '59 In honor of Larry Fry '59 Stephen Pile '63 James W. Fisher '67 In memory of Danny Metz '67 Jim K. Jones '70 Kevin Threlkeld '79 In memory of Randall Smith '80 Joe N. Pierson '88 Jeremy J. Kengla '96 Dr. Jeremy S. Simon '96 Nicholas C. Simon '98 Marc Allison, Beta Omega '03 Daniel Robinson '05 Zachary M. Smith '09 Andrew P. Bailey '10 Tyler C. Brents '10 Tanner A. Clow '10 James Fitzsimmons '10 Kade Haygood '10 Chandler H. Ault '11 Caleb A. Smith '12 Campaign Status At-a-Glance As of April 8, 2015 $1 Million Campaign Goal $629,552 Total Commitments 133 Total Contributors 17% Participation

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