In its 98th year, Alpha Gamma Rho members and guests gathered for the biannual convention with great interest in the present and excitement that the fraternity will celebrate a century of brotherhood in 2004.

This year's convention brought together three generations of men from chapters and colonies coast to coast. It also recognized and included the housemothers and advisers who exert a strong influence on the lives of active members.

Alpha Gamma Rho's convention is a time for the bonds of brotherhood to be strengthened, from those who were undergraduates together to those who meet and exchange friendship for the first time. It is also a time of recognition for AGR men who have served industry, academia or government and are named to the Hall of Fame.

In the opening general session, Mike Jackson, incoming grand president, spoke to the delegates and guests about getting the most from a convention and encouraged every AGR to become a friend to everyone at the event. A panel of agricultural leaders followed with a discussion of the future of production agriculture and agribusiness. Former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Bob Bergland, revealed that the U.S. misread Soviet intentions in Afghanistan in 1979, and surmising that a different policy might have prevented the attacks of September 11, 2001.

The final banquet session was a gala evening with the ascension of Mike Jackson to grand president and recognition paid to Bill Boehm as outgoing president. Hall of Fame photos were revealed for Charles Thompson, Warren Nichols, L.S. (Bill) Pope and Tom Sutherland.

A surprise tribute to Phil Josephson was produced by Charlie Napier and Bill Boehm. It was added to the festivities with the recipient sitting quietly with wife Jane and accepting the heartfelt tribute.

The convention ended with a stirring scholarship auction conducted by two Minnesota auctioneers and assisted by many professional bid raisers scattered through the audience.

Next stop, 2004 in Columbus, Ohio, for the 100th anniversary of the founding of Alpha Gamma Rho. n

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