Alpha Gamma Rho - Penn State University

" B ack when I was a pledge in 1986…" It was rare to receive a bid if you were not an ag major. I think there were only two non-ag members in the chapter and a couple of legacies. The National Office of AGR was not happy to hear that there were SO MANY non-ag majors in Gamma Chapter. Well, today, I believe the numbers are reversed (and yet is not such a problem). The purpose of our fraternity is to make better men, and through my brothers I learned a lot more about agriculture, Holsteins, and how a farm runs. For those of you non-ag majors, learn from those brothers and you will become a better man. What I remember most about pledging and being a brother of Gamma Chapter was that it felt like family. There were only seven of us pledges, and we needed to get the chapter house in shape for the 75th anniversary. The week before the anniversary, EVERY pledge and brother worked hard late into each night to make the house shine. Floors were sanded and restained, and walls and fire towers were painted, all to make the alumni who returned happy and proud of us. The place looked fantastic, but in the '80s we tried to keep the house looking fresh all the time. If someone left a plate or cup in Great Hall, it ticked everyone off. I hope that is the same attitude today. I was a junior when I pledged, and I wish I had started as a freshman. Our pledge class worked hard and were pretty gullible … whatever the brothers told us, we believed them and did what they asked. Pledging was fun back then, and (though I would not want to do it again) the memories of getting a Big Brother and Big Sister, going on a pledge bolt (13 hours to Vermont in a blizzard with 10 people in a station wagon), and finally becoming a brother were priceless. Whether you live in the chapter house or elsewhere, please take advantage of everything being a brother has to offer. Non-ag brothers, go participate in dairy farm or ag activities (like milking a cow); it's really fun! After graduating, I went to New York City and worked in advertising; so far away from agriculture. But I kept trying to keep agriculture in my life. If that meant visiting a pledge buddy's farm and shoveling crap, moving hay bales in 95-degree weather, or feeding a bunch of pigs, I was happy to remain part of AGR as a proud alumnus. I am currently a teacher in Naples, Florida, and the door is always open to fellow alumni! Make the most of your days in the house and stay in touch with the brotherhood. Try to visit the house once a decade, join a Zoom Founders Day meeting, or put together a reunion in the summer for people who live in your area. You will enjoy it! Fraternally, Tim tyelrac@hotmail.com TIM CARLEY '86 (Γ1240) RELIVES THE GOOD OLD DAYS Tim (in front) tailgates with three generations of AGR. Tim Carley '86 (Γ1240) visits the Sphinx! Chapter Goals Continue to improve upon our chapter's standards of excellence (both with PSU and National). Maintain a state of financial stability. Improve upon our chapter's facilities to create a more inclusive and welcoming space for our brothers. gamma crescent 2

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