Alpha Gamma Rho - Penn State University

2 Gamma Crescent brotherhood and the faculty adviser of Gamma Chapter at the time, Dr. Bill Hepler (chairman of the Department of Horticulture), that Ken found his lifetime interest in plant research. Ken says that brothers should take full advantage of the experience by living in the house or spending as much time there as possible in order to experience living with like-minded yet diverse individuals. "Learn how to appreciate others' differences and idiosyncrasies. When I think back to those times, I recall a tremendous range of personalities, abilities, interests, and backgrounds. Yet, we all got along and respected each other because of our common bond as brothers," he said. "I learned that there are not good and bad personalities, just different ones. That was an experience that has helped me throughout my life." Some of Ken's best memories stem from rooming in the alumni lounge and beer gardens. This was where the beer refrigerator was kept, and where alumni who were back for a visit or football game would crash. It was the after-hours hangout, but they took pride in their academic achievement as well. Ken says, "I had a number of roommates while there: Penrose Hallowell Jr. '73 (Γ1030), Dick Bland '72 (Γ1009), Timmy Olsen '72 (Γ1006), Bob Wilson '73 (Γ1028), Dean Cotton '74 (Γ1043), and others. Those guys were all fantastic and I cherish the many memories." Ken lives with his wife, Leah, and son, Alex, in Ellicott City, Maryland. Ken "Stump" Gross '73 (Γ1024), friend Rick, and Pen "Recess" Hallowell '73 (Γ1030) at deer camp 2015. Stump only hunts after lunch! Ken "Stump" Gross '73 (Γ1024) (Continued from page 1) Pink Rose Member ($1,000 and up) Walter T. Moore '86 (Γ1239) Carlos Rascon '02 (Γ1487) Common Bond Member ($500 to $999) Robert D. Heilman '56 (Γ717) Frank E. Skacel Jr., V.M.D '69 (Γ947) Rick G. Steinmeyer '69 (Γ968) Friends of Gamma Member (Up to $499) William C. Patterson '41 (Γ461) William F. Craig '50 (Γ599) William Kincaid '51 (Γ622) David Stabler '51 (Γ620) Robert C. Antram '53 (Γ668) Irving Buck '54 (Γ683) John R. Akers '55 (Γ692) Joseph E. Williams '59 (Γ778) Franklin S. Ace '60 (Γ795) Wilbur L. Avril '61 (Γ819) Kenneth Ketterer '61 (Γ802) John W. Sutton '63 (Γ841) Timothy L. Strickler '66 (Γ894) George E. Myatich '69 (Γ965) John P. Palmieri '71 (Γ995) Marc Lewis '76 (Γ1086) John D. Merenick '86 (Γ1236) Thomas Olliver '91 (Γ1313) Peter W. Mozes '93 (Γ1329) Thank You, Generous Brothers, for Your Loyal Support of the Gamma Chapter T hanks to the support of loyal alumni, $3,750 was contributed with 21 gifts to our fall 2015 appeal. The successes and achievements of the Gamma Chapter are directly attributed to the support and involvement of its members. The active brothers are grateful for and proud of the support they receive from their alumni. We hope more alumni will join their brothers and contribute to our ongoing annual campaign. aGriCulture at Gamma J oining ΑΓΡ was one of the best career moves that I ever made. I realized this before I even graduated. Let me explain…I came to school with no clue what to study and no clue where to socialize. In the fall of 2008, I became a brother of ΑΓΡ, and my professional network has since grown exponentially. With guidance from alumni and older brothers, I was able to identify a major that was congruent with my professional goals; I signed up for Ag Systems Management (now called BioRenewable Systems). Additionally, the leadership opportunities that the house lent were gold for resume building and were often a ticket into interviews. Eventually, I gained an interest in the seed business after participating in an ΑΓΡ leadership conference in Missouri. Shortly after graduation, I was hired by the largest vegetable seed distributor in the Northeast: Seedway. I spent a couple of years learning the ropes and then had the opportunity to assume a new role. I packed up and made the trek out to Washington State for another company called Sakata Seed America. Currently, I work in Philadelphia for Seminis, the vegetable seed division of Monsanto. As a territory sales representative, I travel the entire Mid-Atlantic up into Ontario. I want to point out that each move was a direct result of being recruited for a bigger and better position. I tell you this not to brag, but to highly encourage you to pursue a degree in the Ag field. For the undergraduates, I have some advice: assume a leadership role in the chapter, strongly consider studying agriculture, and begin networking immediately. You will be amazed at how far along you will be three or four years after graduation. Not only that, but you will be even more amazed at how much more room you have to grow. - Joe Cassidy '08 (Γ1537) Add your name to our growing list of donors. Donate today by visiting www.agr.kintera. org/annual.

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