Our History

The Beginning

The founders of Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity

The Beginning of Alpha Gamma Rho

The National Fraternity of Alpha Gamma Rho became a reality on April 4, 1908, when two local fraternities combined into one. They were the Alpha Gamma Rho founded at Ohio State University on October 10, 1904, and Delta Rho Sigma founded at the University of Illinois on February 6, 1906. Members of these two groups met at the 1906 International Livestock Exposition in Chicago and found their organizations’ interests and purposes were similar. After considerable correspondence and several trips to both universities, the two groups decided to unite and found the national fraternity we know today.

Delegates from both fraternities met at the Claypool Hotel in Indianapolis on April 4, 1908, and it was there that they drew up and signed a constitution for the fraternity. The older organization, Alpha Gamma Rho of Ohio State University gave its name to the fraternity but allowed the Illinois chapter to become the Alpha Chapter. The distinctive badge of Delta Rho Sigma was adopted and is practically identical to our badge today.

The Pi Chapter

Excerpt from the “Orange and Black,” Oklahoma State University’s Newspaper

The Pi Chapter

A group of seven men enrolled in the College of Agriculture at Oklahoma A&M in the fall of 1920. Actively encouraged by AD Burke, Professor of Dairy Manufacturing, they organized a club of agriculture students shortly after the start of the semester. The club’s purpose was to foster a closer relationship between outstanding students in the College of Agriculture and if possible, to continue those relationships after graduation.

By January 1921, there were advantages gained by affiliation with a national professional organization with the same objectives as the local club. A rumor that a national agricultural fraternity was interested in establishing a chapter at Oklahoma A&M College began to circulate on the campus later in the month.

The initiation team composed of Brothers HF Wilson and past Grand President TD Harman Jr. arrived at noon on May 19th, 1921. At 2:30 pm the 18 petitioning members of the Sigma Alpha Club were formally inducted into membership in Pi Chapter of Alpha Gamma Rho.

Pi Chapter Grand President

Lowell E Walters Official Portrait

Pi Chapter’s Grand President

Brother Lowell E Walters, Initiate 207, served the National AGR Fraternity as Pi Chapter’s only Grand President from 1962-1964. He was born in Freedom, Oklahoma, in 1919 and graduated from Oklahoma A&M in 1940.

Brother Walters served for two years as associate Chapter Advisor and two years as Advisor to Pi Chapter before accepting the position of Southwest Province Counselor for two more years. Following this, in 1960, he was elected Grand 2nd Vice President of the National Fraternity, Grand 1st Vice President, and later served as Grand President of Alpha Gamma Rho (1964-1966).

His own words best sum up Brother Walters’s dedication to AGR after being named National Grand President: “AGR has afforded me a bountiful harvest of the fruits of the finest brotherhood that I know. The fraternity has allowed me to know personally many of the great men in modern agriculture. As a result, I have become aware of the real challenge and responsibility we in America must meet through our efforts to improve the standards of living for our neighbors around the world.”

Today

Current Chapter Composite

Pi Chapter Today

Presently, the Pi Chapter of Alpha Gamma Rho has excelled at the state and national levels. With the support of the brothers before them, the chapter has continued to thrive for years to come.

Chapter members continue to stay true to the values and expectations set by the fraternity.

Consistently perform as a professional, integrity-driven, world-class organization committed to the highest of standards and driven to recruit men of the highest potential.

Always present a positive image of Alpha Gamma Rho in everything we say or do.

Inspire a pursuit of academic excellence among all our members.

Encourage lifelong involvement in the colleges and universities we call home.

Foster lifelong personal development through innovative educational, leadership, and social opportunities.

Engage all brothers in professional development, promoting lifelong career success.

Attract members representing the breadth, sophistication, scope, and relevance of agriculture.

Reflect, value, and advocate diversity in our membership and professional lives.

Ensure sound financial management and responsibility individually and at all levels of the Fraternity.

Enthusiastically recognize and reward accomplishments consistent with our Promise and Values.

The Purpose of Alpha Gamma Rho

To make better men, and through them a broader and better agriculture by surrounding our members with influences tending to encourage individual endeavor, resourcefulness and aggressive effort along lines making for the development of better mental, social, moral and physical qualities; to promote a wider acquaintance and a broader outlook on the part of agricultural men through fellowship in a national organization that stands for the best social, mental and moral development.

Our History

The Beginning of Alpha Gamma Rho

The Purpose of Alpha Gamma Rho

Oklahoma State Alpha Gamma Rho

National AGR