Alpha Rho Chapter Celebrates Founders Day & Initiates New Members

    During Founder's Day activities at the Alpha Rho Chapter house on Saturday, April 17th, time was taken for a very solemn and serious occasion. Alpha Rho Chapter initiated John Meyer, CEO of Holstein Association USA, Inc., as their 540th brother.
    John grew up in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. He is the son of Eugene Meyer, long time managing editor of Hoard's Dairyman Magazine. In his youth, John was active in both 4-H and FFA. He learned to appreciate agriculture by working on the Hoard's Dairyman Farm in Fort Atkinson and at the family farms of both his grandparents. John graduated from the University of Wisconsin at Eau-Claire with a major in business and marketing. Meyer is Past President of the National Dairy Shrine, Vice President National Pedigree Livestock Council, Cooperator of the Brattleboro, Vermont Memorial Hospital, and member of the Brattleboro, Vermont Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
    Before joining Holstein in July 2001, John was Executive Secretary at the Brown Swiss Cattle Association. John's first job out of college was as a sales representative for NASCO, his final position was Director of Marketing and Sales.
    John's father, Eugene is an Iowa State AGR and an Eta Brother of The Century honoree. John's mother Maxine is an Iowa State Kappa Delta. John's sister Marylynn is an Iowa State Pi Beta Phi. John's brother Bruce is a fifth grade teacher in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin.
    When asked what it means to be a Brother of Alpha Gamma Rho, John said "It is one of the most meaningful things that has happened to me in my lifetime." Growing up in an AGR household, John got to know how meaningful AGR was to his Father and through him and his career. "Some of the finest people I have met are members of AGR," John said. "I was humbled by the hospitality and warm reception I received from the Alpha Rho Brothers when I was initiated at the chapter house."
    Brother Meyer resides in Brattleboro, Vermont with his wife of 10 years, Vicki, a graduate of Norwich University, Northfield, Vermont. John looks forward to meeting other AGR's at the various agricultural events and functions he attends throughout the country.

Alpha Phi Celebrates 40 Years of Success

    On April 25th, 1964, a charter was granted to the nineteen existing members and seventeen new initiates of the Alpha Phi Colony of Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity, and the Alpha Phi Chapter was founded at South Dakota State University. In February, the chapter celebrated the first 40 years by making their 40th Anniversary celebration the focus of their 2004 Pink Rose banquet. The banquet was held in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Nearly 200 collegiate and alumni members along with their friends and families joined together to make what was possibly the largest gathering in Alpha Phi's history.
    Joining the chapter for the evening was the former AGR Grand President, Mike Jackson. Jackson addressed those in attendance about AGR's rich tradition of excellence in agriculture and how Alpha Phi and AGR as a whole must recognize great accomplishments of the past and think big about the possibilities of the future. Along with hearing from Jackson, a presentation was made regarding the remodeling project planned for the chapter house during the summer. A 40th Anniversary quilt was auctioned off (benefits going to the remodeling fund), chapter awards were given away. Following the banquet a dance was held, and of course many interesting stories and conversation took place throughout the night.
    The 40th Anniversary Pink Rose Celebration was a grand occasion that represented the long lasting ties binding AGR members together. For these past forty years the Alpha Phi chapter has been striving "To make better men...," and with continuing work another 40 successful years are sure to come. The Alpha Phi Chapter extends a thank you to all those who attended and all who made the first 40 years a success.


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