Alpha Gamma Rho - University of Florida

2 ALPHA GAMMA RHO Encourager, Advocate, and True ΑΓΡ Brother The Importance of Alpha Gamma in the Life of Gene Badger '47 A country boy from Hastings, Gene Badger '47 was fi rst introduced to Alpha Gamma Rho in 1946 through friends of his already attending the University of Florida. He soon found out that the Alpha Gamma Chapter was more than a good group of guys with whom he had a lot in common, but a place he could learn and grow. "Joining ΑΓΡ was one of the great decisions of my life," he shared. After graduating from UF in 1949, Gene taught vocational agriculture at Palatka High and became a member of the National Guard. He then joined the U.S. Marine Corps and served in Korea. Following an honorable discharge in 1955, Gene worked for the Ralston Purina Company and bought a chicken farm. With a growing family, Gene struggled to meet his fi nancial obligations, but fortunately an Alpha Gamma Rho brother is always there to lend a hand. Sam Love '47 offered Gene a job selling insurance with Farm Bureau and he's never looked back. Gene began selling insurance to farmers, traveling from county to county across Florida helping farmers secure coverage. He rose in the Southern Farm Bureau Insurance Company to sales manager for 12 southern states. In 1972, Sam called upon Gene to once again return to Florida and help develop the Western Palm Beach County Farm Bureau Insurance program. Gene continues to work in Palm Beach County where his statewide advocacy for the farming community earned him induction into the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame in 2017. Through it all, Gene's connection to Alpha Gamma has never waned. He has become an "encourager" and believes strongly in bringing like-minded, ha rdworking young men together to become better people. "ΑΓΡ is an organization that was run well, and it's an organization that's still run well," he said. "We need to build better men, better citizens, and help make the world a better place. ΑΓΡ is a good place to do it." As an alumnus, Gene continues to stay involved and stops by the chapter house every chance he gets. "It's important for us, as alumni, to invest in the current and future young men," he shared, "and encourage our other brothers to do so." You can connect with Gene at eugenecbadger@ aol.com. Gene Badger '47 accepting his honor as a Florida Agriculture Hall of Fame inductee. Chapter receives Greek Collaboration Award for Faculty Appreciation event with Sigma Alpha Travis Baxter '14 earns Outstanding Greek Chapter President TJ Lillo '16 earns Outstanding Greek Scholar Chapter placed third in Florida Greek Standards ALPHA GAMMA new brothers initiated Brothers sort and bag toys for the Alachua County USMC Reserves Toys for Tots campaign in December. Total of active members Donated over 140 toys to Toys for Tots in December and helped to sort and bag the toys Brothers Wallace Martin '15, Brandon Grady '15, and Chase Brannan '15 of Florida Blue Key engage with legislators and alumni on issues relevant to the University of Florida during Gator Day at the state capitol. The construction group of ΑΓΡ brothers made a pipe instrument that kids can use outside while the landscaping crew cleaned up around the school.

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