FarmHouse - University of Nebraska

NEBRASKA CHAPTER 3 FarmHouse Focuses on Tradition Ask How You Can Become Part of FarmHouse's Alumni Leadership W e had a great dedication event on Friday, September 28. We culminated the efforts of numerous alumni with a ribbon-cutting ceremony prior to our annual Homecoming alumni banquet. I would again like to thank everyone that donated money and/or time to making the "New Barn" project a great success. Going forward, the workload for the Association should be significantly lighter as the final touches get put on building project. We have a number of board members that will be looking to step down at the end of this this year now that the project is finished. Therefore, fresh faces are needed to fill those roles. A couple of candidates have already volunteered, but I believe we will need a few more. It will be business as usual for the Association Board in the upcoming months. However, I'm not really sure what that is since the building project has been the main topic as long as I've been on the board. One thing that will be in the forefront are traditions. The advisor team met with the active executives to set goals on what old traditions they wanted to keep and what new traditions they wanted to start with the new house. The Association will play a role in that, as well as monitoring the upkeep of the house. I am continually impressed with the quality of the young men in the house through my numerous interactions with them. I had a fellow alumnus comment on how difficult it was to get into FarmHouse. Although it is not recruiting season, keep in mind any young men you know that may fit the mold, and hold the house to a higher standard. Fraternally, Lincoln Williams '87 Nebraska FarmHouse Association President lincoln@hoa-solutionsinc.com T om Thurber '60 was first introduced to FarmHouse through a county extension agent and youth mentor of his, who was a FarmHouse alumnus. "After I graduated from high school," Tom recalls, "he visited with my parents and me regarding the virtues of FarmHouse." Tom passed those virtues on to his own family, some of whom became his brothers as well. His sons, Eric '89 and Lee '91, and his son-in-law, Paul Rohlfing '83 (married to Tom's daughter Gail), are all Nebraska FarmHouse alumni who strongly believe in the brotherhood's values and high standards. Eric says that the Thurbers have lent their property to the chapter for events such as initiation activities for many years. "I was there at a young age meeting new FarmHouse men," he recalls, "when I was initiated, and also in recent years as an alum." Tom believes that FarmHouse attracts the best and brightest, building them into successful, humble, and involved members of society. "My pledge brothers had strong character values, a great work ethic, and quality life objectives. All of these qualities helped make me a better person." To Paul, the common traditions and experiences transcend generations among his family and in-laws. "Perhaps more significant than the traditions, though, are the shared values of striving for excellence in scholarship, business, and our professional lives." "Even though we were there in different eras, it sure seems like we all treasure the relationships and bonds formed in the house," Lee said. While family plays a major role in the brothers' appreciation of FarmHouse, each of the Thurbers remains in touch with their undergraduate brothers as well. "To this day, those fraternity brothers are some of my closest friends," Lee says. Eric and his pledge brothers try to get together for football games in the fall, sometimes coordinating for away game trips as well. Paul and a group of brothers have spent the last 21 summers making annual trips to different Major League Baseball parks. "This summer we saw the Phillies vs. the Mets in Philadelphia, and next spring or summer we'll probably meet in Miami or Atlanta. Social media makes keeping in touch and organizing get-togethers a little easier too." Tom and his wife, Beverly, are part of a group of FH couples who spend time in Maui in the winter. The brothers' common bond and devotion to FarmHouse inspired each of them to contribute to the capital campaign. "While our specific levels of support have varied over the years as we faced family and business expenses," Paul says, "we feel it's important to help ensure that the FarmHouse experience is available to the next generation of men." Lee notes that with the current climate of university and fraternity options, FarmHouse needs a top-notch facility to continue offering the best possible experience. "Through this campaign, I believe we will stay true to our pillars of intellectual, spiritual, moral, and physical development." Tom feels contributing was a necessity on his part so future members could also have a good experience and home away from home. "We all need to remember that FarmHouse is not just a college experience—it's a lifetime." The Thurbers are happy to share brotherhood both through family and FarmHouse values. "Our chapter is fortunate to have lots of families with several generations of FarmHouse men," Lee said. "It's easy to think of dozens of last names that are synonymous with the Nebraska Chapter, families that have had many generations come through the house. I'm thankful I was able to be there as part of a FarmHouse family." The Thurber Family Reflects on a Lasting Legacy at Nebraska FarmHouse "We feel it's important to help ensure that the FarmHouse experience is available to the next generation of men." Lee, Tom, Bev, and Eric Thurber

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