FarmHouse - University of Nebraska

Our Proud History T he Nebraska Chapter of FarmHouse Fraternity has a long tradition of brotherhood, scholarship, leadership, and service to their fellow man. e chapter began in 1911 when 11 men decided to form an organization to promote fellowship and a feeling of unity among "AG" men. More than 2,000 individuals have been initiated into the Nebraska chapter since its inception. In 2011, 600 alumni and guests gathered to reminisce and celebrate the 100th anniversary of the active chapter. Highlights of the celebration included a tractor raffle and a speech by former Secretary of Agriculture Clayton Yeutter '49. e vision and foresight of our founders have provided a collegiate living experience that has no equal. We won't forget the brotherhood, comradeship, and lifelong friendships we formed while members of the active chapter. We are indebted to those who led the chapter through the rocky times when finances, war, five chapter houses, and other uncertainties affected the chapter's very existence. roughout this history, the right volunteers have stepped forward to fill the needs of the chapter and association. While many of these men are unsung heroes, many gentle giants have led our fraternity. Scholarship has long been a tradition for Nebraska FarmHouse. e chapter has received numerous university trophies for scholarship through the years. Since 1969 the chapter has had a GPA of 3.37. e chapter has qualified for the prestigious Summa Cum Laude Award in all but seven years. In six of those years when the chapter did not qualify, the chapter did not submit the necessary paperwork! FarmHouse men have been leaders at the University of Nebraska. e chapter has had 168 members of the Innocents Society, 59 members of Mortarboard, 57 athletic department letter winners, five ASUN presidents, and four homecoming kings. Numerous other men have been leaders in Greek Affairs, student government, departmental clubs, church groups, and other campus activities. At FarmHouse International, the chapter has produced 22 Master Builders, 15 scholarship winners, 15 members of the International Board, and seven members of the Foundation Board of Trustees. Our motto, Builders of Men, is evidenced in every walk of life as FarmHouse has contributed industry leaders, educators, scientists, clergy men, attorneys, physicians, bankers, government officials, and innovative farmers and ranchers. More importantly, these men have been leaders in their communities as members of boards, organizations, and church groups. ey have volunteered their time for numerous endeavors, including 4-H, FFA, youth sports, and school activities. FarmHouse men are modest and unassuming. ey are described best by the FH class motto listed in the 1941 Cornhusker: "If you do anything worth talking about, let someone else do the talking." As stated in the 75-year history of Nebraska FarmHouse, "D.H. Doane conceived the idea of FarmHouse and is recognized as the father of the fraternity. He lived to see FarmHouse take a leading role among professional, scholastic, and social fraternities. He was proud that FarmHouse, with a name that honors agriculture, has developed traditions, rivaling those of Greek-letter fraternities. We can all be proud of him and what FarmHouse has become and we can look to greater accomplishments in the future." All of us have learned life lessons from our Nebraska FarmHouse experiences. ese experiences prepared us for the future and made us who we are. FarmHouse has lasted 100 years by focusing on the core values of character, scholarship, service, and building men. e challenge for those who follow will be to maintain that focus. We need your help to prepare for that future! By John Toy '77

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