A.G.R. – those three letters have had a lasting impact on many young Ag. students over the past 40 years and continue to shape the lives of students and the campus today.
The Alpha Upsilon Chapter of the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity was established here in Martin in April 1963. This year will mark the 40th Anniversary of the “Ag boys at 225 University St.” and with it comes reflection of the successes of the past, the current accolades, and the future of AGR on the UT Martin campus.
Over its 40 year history, Alpha Upsilon has received the Maynard Coe Chapter Efficiency Award five times recognizing it as the best chapter in the nation. Two of these awards have come in the last 6 years evincing AGR’s continued commitment to excellence.
Alpha Upsilon has also received many other national awards such as Best Chapter Management, High Honor Scholarship, and Alumni Relations.
Here at UT Martin, AlGR has made many useful and lasting contributions to the campus and community. AGR has maintained at least a 3.0 GPA for the past several semesters. The fraternity has also maintained a presence in many campus organizations including Student Government Associati-on, Undergraduate Alumni Council, PEP, Student Ambassa-dors, University Scholars, UTM Livestock Judging Team, Block and Bridle, Agronomy Club, NAMA, FFA, and Wildlife Society, to list a few. AGR is also involved in intramural sports, homecoming activities, and is heavily involved in the Martin Soybean Festival.
For the past two years, AGR has received the Chancellor’s Cup Award along with several other inter-fraternal awards for grades, sports, and community service.
The brothers of Alpha Upsilon also volunteer to assist in many large events which occur on campus such as the annual UTM Rodeo and the All-Nighter. The brothers are most proud of their accomplishments in the rope pull holes where they were successful in becoming champions for 24 years out of their 40 year history.
In addition to campus involvement, AGR has maintained a lasting reputation in the community as well. AGR sponsors a bi-annual community picnic to which neighbors, friends, faculty, and city leaders are invited to a cookout style picnic. The main focus of AGR’s fundraising efforts is the Tennessee Farm Bureau’s education program, AG in the Classroom. Over the past years, the brothers have had car washes, established the annual Ms. Greek pageant, and other events in order to raise funds for this important aspect of Tennessee agriculture.
With these funds, they have been able to donate thousands of dollars to educate children on the importance of agriculture in their lives. Furthermore, AGR conducts periodical road cleanups and sponsors a bi-annual workday for members of the community to call and request brothers for yard work, house repairs, and other small jobs.
The most recent addition to the AGR family had been the arrival of the new house mother. Alyce Toon hails from Nashville and Cookeville. She came to Martin last fall hoping to be closer to her daughter, who works in the UTM ticket office, and her son-in-law, who is the UTM softball coach. All accomplishments considered, the brothers of AGR are excited about the current state of their chapter and look forward to its continued success and development.
Their years spent in the big white house on University St. will surely impact the rest of their lives, and during those years they hope to remain involved and active in the success of the UTM to ensure those same opportunities for the students in the years to come.
Jason Doggett is a junior Animal Science major from Pulaski.