I. A Brief History

Alpha Gamma Rho was founded as an agricultural fraternity at Ohio State University on October 10^th, 1904. It became a national fraternity on April 4^th, 1908 when it merged with another agricultural fraternity at the University of Illinois. Alpha Gamma Rho of Ohio State, the older of the two, gave its name to the organization, but allowed the Alpha Chapter to be at the University of Illinois.

Now, over 100 years later, Alpha Gamma Rho includes over 65 chapters at major universities across the nation. The principles and ideals of the fraternity have definitely had a major impact on worldwide agriculture, molding leaders that have worked to help better the world's food supply. Some of our most famous brothers include Orville Redenbacher, popcorn industry guru, Lee L. Morgan, Chairman and C.E.O. of the Caterpillar Tractor Company, and Clifford M. Hardin, former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. These are just a few of the thousands of AGRs whose careers make it possible for people to put food on the table.

Beta Theta Chapter was founded in 1976 when professors Joe Jack Dement and Dr. Jerry Williams encouraged a young and rowdy group of Ag majors from Fayetteville, Tennessee to start an AGR chapter at MTSU. In the years since, over 400 men have named Alpha Gamma Rho as their most rewarding MTSU experience. Their days as undergraduate AGR brothers helped prepare them for everlasting professional careers, as well as fulfilling family lives.