Lambda Chapter of Alpha Gamma Rho at the University of Minnesota
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/1518512
T he season of growth is upon us as temperatures increase, and fieldwork is on the horizon for many farmers. Lambda Chapter is also growing as we strive to become better men, a stronger house, and a more unified St. Paul campus while celebrating exciting achievements along the way. The months since the last Crescent arrived in your mailbox have been busy. My teammates and I were elected in November and took office in early December. We are working hard to continue the strong traditions of Lambda Chapter while making recruitment, brotherhood, academics, and professional development top priorities. Last fall, we held another successful philanthropy date auction with Keenan Thygesen #1868 as our auctioneer. We raised more than $4,000, and including some funds from the previous year, we donated $2,000 each to Minnesota FFA and Wisconsin FFA for FFA Jackets. In addition, we donated roughly $200 worth of farm-themed stuffed animals and toys to MN Children's Hospital. Academically, the chapter GPA last fall was 3.34, and our cumulative average of 3.39 places us eighth out of 26 IFC chapters. We also celebrated our fifth-consecutive Spittoon win over FarmHouse in basketball this winter and enjoyed another successful Pink Rose Formal. We invested much time and effort into our officer transition and development. Over winter break, the executive team attended a retreat at the Gus Hasbargen #1856 family cabin to bond and establish goals for the year. In January, the executive team, Adviser Royce Durhman #1704, and House Director Mrs. G. were invited to attend the Top Leaders Institute in Los Angeles, California. There, we experienced training specific to our positions and connected with other collegiate members from the West Coast. In February, five brothers attended a leadership seminar in Nashville, Tennessee, and seven brothers attended recruitment school in Kansas City, Kansas, with Brother Durhman. As we tackle another semester, we are grateful to again have tremendous support and guidance from Mrs. G. and Brother Durhman. We are also excited to have Adam Stevermer #1787 and Christian Reveland #1838 officially join Lambda as advisers. The weeks ahead will be jam-packed with events like Founder's Day, Parent's Day, Scholarship Day, MN Royal, and commencement. We thank you for your support once again this year as we continue to celebrate growth! Fraternally, Ben Styer #1867, Noble Ruler John Benson Stillwater, Minn. Sophomore Jacob Harbaugh Marion, Wis. Freshman Chetan Kumar Arlington, Minn. Freshman Tyler Ratka Cold Spring, Minn. Freshman Blake Zimmer Turlock, Calif. Junior Gus Hasbargen #1859, Seth Heitman #1864, Levi Lilleberg #1851, Weston Schwecke #1855, and John Novacek #1852 attend the leadership seminar in Nashville, Tennessee. Lambda brothers pose with the coveted Spittoon after celebrating our fifth-consecutive win over FarmHouse in basketball. During the World Dairy Expo in October 2023, Isaac Root #1845 and Ben Styer #1867 celebrate placing third and first, respectively, at the National Intercollegiate Dairy Cattle Judging Contest. The university took home top honors, earning the third-largest point margin in history. Growing Stronger Together Growing Stronger Together U N D E R G R A D U A T E S E X C E L I N A N D B E Y O N D T H E C H A P T E R H O U S E Welcome, New Members "I chose AGR for the strong cohesiveness of the brothers. Everyone in the house is more than willing to lend a helping hand or spend time with each other." –Blake Zimmer #1873 "I felt there were people in the house who had the same values as me and unique perspectives from their agriculture-oriented upbringings. I also appreciated the professionalism all the members show in their everyday lives." –Jacob Harbaugh #1871