THe messenger A PUBLICATION FOR ALUMNI OF ALPHA IOTA H ALPHA GAMMA RHO

FALL 2012

Alpha Gamma Rho Introduces Alumni Relations Program Alpha Iota Alumni Board Secures Future of Alpha Iota Chapter

reetings from the Alpha Iota house corporation! I am pleased to UNDERGRADUATES EXCEL ON CAMPUS Greport to you the happenings of Alpha Iota Chapter through our The undergraduates are back on campus for the new school year and newly established alumni relations program. Upon graduating from the participated in recruitment this fall. Seven men accepted bids to Alpha Iota , we all leave Alpha Gamma Rho with high hopes Chapter and will be initiated this fall. Please see page 4 for a list of their of keeping our fraternal bonds intact. Unfortunately, we quickly find names. The undergraduates have done an outstanding job of functioning that many new interests—careers, families, and volunteer activities—can on campus without a Chapter House. They have remained dedicated to the create valid diversions. Various activities take over and, before long, we Fraternity and deserve our appreciation. fall out of touch and begin to wonder what happened to our brothers. Without a solid alumni relations program in place, our members lack the BONDS OF ALPHA IOTA STRENGTHENED means for staying connected to the Fraternity. The last few years have been trying for alumni and undergraduates of Alpha Iota, especially with the loss of our fraternity house. However, it ALUMNI, GET INVOLVED has also been gratifying to see that feeling of loss slowly change to one of With this in mind, our alumni relations program is designed to help renewal. There is a lot of love among alumni for Alpha Iota Chapter and our members stay in touch and cultivate awareness and involvement in a determination to rebuild. Alpha Iota. You should have already received a biographical update in September. These updates allow us to stay in touch with you and also We hope that through the Alpha Iota alumni relations program your provide alumni news in the future issues. If you haven’t already filled out fraternal bonds are regularly renewed and strengthened. We are always the sheet and returned it, please do so; your response is vital. interested in hearing from you, so if you have any suggestions, alumni news, or ideas for articles, please submit them to Alpha Iota Chapter of FUTURE SUCCESS OF ALPHA GAMMA RHO Alpha Gamma Rho, P.O. Box 1435, Farmington, AR 72730. Alumni, The Alpha Iota house corporation has taken several significant steps thank you for your continued support and dedication to this year to ensure the future of Alpha Gamma Rho at the University Alpha Iota Chapter. We look forward to hearing from you. of Arkansas. We are also continuing the claim against the University of Arkansas for the loss of the Razorback Road property. Like many legal Fraternally, proceedings, it isn’t possible to say with certainty when the case will be Rodney Baker ’72 decided. The board remains committed to seeing this case through and will Alpha Iota House Corporation President report any changes. (501) 607-4245 [email protected] Welcome, New Members Austen Ward ’12 Colten Harris ’12 Richardson, Texas Fayetteville, Ark. Business Agriculture Education

Spencer Hendricks ’12 Adam Jackson McKinney, Texas Lebanon, Mo. Agri-Business Hospitality and Restaurant Management Caleb Smith ’12 Des Arc, Ark. David Harris Engineering Cabot, Ark. International Business Nik Kilambi ’12 Josh Durrance ’08, third from left, with family and friends at the second Fayetteville, Ark. annual Alpha Gamma Rho Golf Tournament benefiting Undecided The Garrett Uekman Foundation.

Inside: Alumnus Spotlight H 2 Financial Improvements Ensure Chapter Growth H 3 Welcome, New Members H 4 The Alpha Iota Messenger

LARRY ROPP ’63 DEVOTED TO ALPHA GAMMA RHO Alumnus Guides Alpha Iota Chapter from Experience

have served Alpha Tau for 10 During his undergraduate career, Larry served as secretary and learned how Iyears and Alpha Iota for four to become a leader. He now influences the members of Alpha Iota Chapter by by producing an e-mail newsletter. setting a positive example of how to be a successful man of Alpha Gamma When something comes up that alumni should know about, I send the Rho. Larry earned his bachelor’s degree in agriculture from Western Illinois information out in an e-mail, mostly Chapter news or deaths of brothers. It University. He owns Ropp & Associates, a company that markets legal services has been a lot of work but a contribution I love to make.” In 1963, Larry and identity theft solutions. Larry credits some of his career success to the was a charter member of Alpha Tau at Western Illinois University and lessons he learned as an undergraduate in Alpha Gamma Rho. “Alpha Gamma now serves as the Chapter advisor of Alpha Iota. He has been devoted Rho showed me I could talk to people with influence.” He hopes sharing his to Alpha Gamma Rho for over 50 years. “It has always been a great experiences with Alpha Iota will help others become involved members for blessing to me to have been a founder of the Alpha Tau Chapter and see life, benefitting both their personal and professional lives. over 1,000 young men come into the Chapter since then. Organizing and implementing the new Alpha Tau Chapter taught me many great Larry has always been a motivated individual and hopes to instill that life lessons. The fellowship we had when we started the Chapter still into the Alpha Iota members. He treasures his time at both Alpha Tau exists today.” and Alpha Iota. “Both Chapters are made up of good young men.” Larry has enjoyed his years working with members of Alpha Gamma Rho The dedication, time, and hard work Larry and other brothers invested and encourages those who have not been involved in the Chapter to into chartering Alpha Tau now makes him a great role model as Chapter get involved. “There is a lot to be gained by staying in touch, including advisor for Alpha Iota. The experiences Larry had in Alpha Gamma Rho friendship and business referrals.” have benefited him within the Fraternity and in his career. “We learned to get along with one another. I tell the men of Alpha Iota that getting along Larry and his wife Terry reside in West Fork, Arkansas. He can be with other people is one of the greatest things to learn in this Fraternity.” contacted at [email protected].

Undergraduates Committed to Continuing Alpha Iota Legacy Strong Brotherhood Encourages Members to Excel am proud of the achievements Alpha Iota Chapter has made and excited night at a local restaurant. Maintaining a strong brotherhood is vital to the about the goals we plan to accomplish in the future. Although we are continuance of Alpha Iota. young,I we have already learned strong leadership skills and have the drive to succeed. We strive to set a good example for future generations and Continuing Our Legacy continue the legacy of Alpha Iota Chapter. Although our recruitment numbers have recently been lower than in previous years, we expect a future growth due to help from alumni. Alumni, Strong Brotherhood Leads to Chapter Success you can become involved in the recruitment process by recommending a Alpha Iota Chapter members have avidly focused on traditions and learning man using the form located on page 4. We value your opinions and hope to responsibility. Members come to Chapter in the proper attire, pay bills in a gain any advice on how to recruit quality members. Having a facility that timely manner, keep track of records, and strive for academic excellence. will attract quality members will also strengthen our Chapter. Through a In order to promote brotherhood, we have dinner together every Thursday physical structure that is dedicated to cultivating successful members, we will be able to ensure our Alpha Iota legacy. Staying Connected We look forward to learning from the experiences of alumni and conveying our success through future editions of The Alpha Iota Messenger. Being in contact with alumni will give us additional expertise on how we can thrive as undergraduates. If you and your pledge brothers would like to meet with the undergraduates or take a tour of campus, feel free to contact us. We would be honored to learn from your experiences in the Chapter.

Fraternally, Jordan Thomas ’10 Jordan Thomas ’10, Zach Smith ’09, W.B. Douglas ’09, and Tyler Noble Ruler Brents ’10 at the Ag Bowl. Alpha Iota won first place. (573) 727-4303 | [email protected]

2 ALPHA IOTA The Alpha Iota Messenger The Alpha Iota Messenger

Financial Improvements Executive Officers Noble Ruler Management and Ensure Chapter Growth Jordan Thomas ’10 Operations Undergraduates Dedicated to Financial Stability (573) 727-4303 Dillon Mizer ’11 [email protected] (417) 718-5877 [email protected] o ensure future growth of our Chapter, we must not only obtain a housing Tfacility but we must also be knowledgeable of how to take care of it. Vice Noble Ruler Through our willingness to learn and take on new challenges, we anticipate Finance Activities Chairman an increase in members and the future success of those members. We are Bryce Theby ’11 Justin Olsen ’11 excited about our upcoming endeavors and how they will positively impact (314) 761-5794 (501) 626-3292 the Chapter by making us more accountable. We have implemented a new [email protected] [email protected] online system called OmegaFi, which helps us efficiently collect dues. The use of this system marks the beginning of a financially sound chapter. Vice Noble Ruler Membership Development The online system allows us to stay organized through tracking member dues. Membership Development Samuel Roberts ’09 By increasing financial responsibility, our Chapter has seen an increase in Assistant (870) 882-9276 funds. Alpha Iota Chapter can easily pay national dues, function expenses, Chandler Ault ’11 [email protected] and any other upcoming expenses. So far, we have received more than $5,000 (870) 278-1971 in past due debts and we will enforce the new procedures until past due balances are up to date. The Chapter has no tolerance for the delinquency [email protected] Alumni Relations Chairman in the payment of dues. Fines and fees are carefully reviewed and assessed Taylor Roberts ’10 as appropriate. The Chapter is dedicated to making sure each member Vice Noble Ruler (573) 821-6286 understands the importance of financial obligations to the Fraternity. Recruitment [email protected] Matthew Beck ’11 By creating a better Chapter, we have produced better Brothers. The new (870) 703-9414 Planning Chairman finance structure will help ensure the growth of our Chapter and show alumni that we are able to manage our money with maturity and precision. We [email protected] Dakota Sloan ’11 welcome any financial advice from our alumni and look forward to working (479) 283-7654 with you. Vice Noble Ruler [email protected] Scholarship Fraternally, William Maples ’11 Bryce Theby ’11 Vice Noble Ruler Finance (256) 431-5443 (314) 761-5794 | [email protected] [email protected]

Jordan Thomas ’10 and J.P. Stewart ’07 with their dates Undergraduates gather together before the Pink Rose Formal. at the Pink Rose Formal in Hot Springs, Ark.

ALPHA GAMMA RHO 3 Visit Us Online The Alpha Iota Messenger H Alpha Iota Chapter A PUBLICATION FOR ALUMNI OF ALPHA IOTA ALPHA GAMMA RHO http://uagreeks.uark.edu/3247.php

Alpha Gamma Rho www.alphagammarho.org Alpha Iota Chapter of University of Arkansas Alpha Gamma Rho www.uark.edu P.O. Box 1435 Farmington, AR 72730 Alumni News Address Service Requested Kermit N. Tucker ’38 enjoys gardening and growing roses in Decatur, Ala.

John R. Stipe ’51 retired as president of Forest City Production Credit Association in 1986. He also retired as president and chairman of Forrest City Bank in 2004. John lives in Forrest City, Ark. E‑mail: [email protected]

William H. Moore ’63 retired from the Army Reserves as a colonel after five years of active duty and 26 years as a reserve. He lives in Clermont, Fla. E‑mail: [email protected]

John B. Posey ’83 and his wife, Pam, have been married for 27 years. They now live at their retirement property near Mountainburg, Ark. They have three children: John Jr., Zachary, and Hannah. He reports his family has a history of military service and John keeps detailed records of it. Attention: This newsletter is intended for Alpha Iota alumni and parents. Jason A. Phillips ’90 enjoys spending leisure If your son is still attending University of Arkansas, he will receive a copy. time with his children. He also devotes time and If he is no longer in school, please send us his permanent address, to update our records. resources to charity through his involvement with the Masonic Lodge and Arat Shrine. He has served 20 years with the fire service and looks RECOMMEND A MAN FOR RECRUITMENT forward to retirement. Jason lives in Morrilton, Arkansas. E‑mail: [email protected] If you would like to recommend a man to join Alpha Iota Chapter, Roger D. Gattis Jr. ’00 says he is living the please fill out this form and return it to: dream with his beautiful wife, Savanna. They Alpha Iota Chapter of Alpha Gamma Rho, P.O. Box 1435, Farmington, AR 72730. live in Oronogo, Mo. and are looking forward to celebrating their seven year anniversary and sixth year anniversary of their business venture. Prospect’s Name ______E‑mail: [email protected] Home Address ______

Alpha Iota House City ______State ______Zip ______

Corporation Phone ______E-mail ______President Rodney Baker ’72 High school attended ______(501) 607-4245 [email protected] Is prospect a legacy?______Vice President Will Schuhknecht ’00 ______Secretary Reece Bailey ’04 Reference submitted by ______

Treasurer Phone ______E-mail ______Russ Harding ’02