ALPHA GAMMA RHO CELEBRATES 60 YEARS AT UT APRIL 9-10, 2011!

The weekend of April 9-10, 2011, Alpha Kappa Chapter at UT celebrated its Diamond Anniversary with a number of events.
The morning of April 9, 11 alums from the 50s gathered at the chapter house to tell stories from the early years. The Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation kindly sponsored the video taping of these alums from the 1950s to record for ever their AGR stories. Brothers participating in this even coordinated by Joe Gaines AKSN-311 were Donald March AKSN-3, Bill Murphy AKSN-8, Gene Caldwell AKSN-9, Lindy Gill AKSN-10, Bill Kemp AKSN-34, Lewis Kinnard AKSN-37, Brent Hurd AKSN-78, Lance Bracy AKSN-110, Joe Harrison AKSN-111 Charlie Darnell AKSN-131, and Johnny Bruff AKSN-183. Later that afternoon, a golf tournament consisting of alumni and actives played the course at the Green Meadows Country Club. Winners of the scramble were the team of Charlie Goan and . John Schultz won the closest the pin competition. That evening, a reception at Green Meadows Country Club began with a reception followed by dinner and the evening’s program. Over 100 alumni, activities, wives and girl friends were in attendance. Alpha Kappa Alumni Association Vice President Bro. Greg Hensley AKSN-536 presided in the absence of new father and Alumni Association President Jon Frady. Rev. Mike Hensley AKSN-406 offered the blessing. AGR Grand President Sandy Belden was the keynote speaker. Dr. Gene Caldwell spoke briefly on the founding of Alpha Kappa Chapter and its history. Tennessee State representative Vance Dennis AKSN-824 presented the chapter with a proclamation from the Tennessee State Legislature citing and commemorating AGR’s 60 years at UT. Bro. Hale Moss AKSN-298 recognized Mrs. Dee Lidvall, Prof’s widow, their two sons and their wives and two granddaughters. Brother Moss gave an Eulogy in remembrance of Prof. Bro. Mark Wilson AKSN-423 gave the group an update on the Campaign for AGR and announced to the group that the scholarship program had been renamed as the Prof Ed R. Lidvall AGR Memorial Scholarship Endowment. Bro. Jim Nunn AKSN-462 recognized the 92 deceased brothers. At the end of the program pictures were taken of the brothers attending the banquet as well as pictures of the brothers from each decade.
Bros. Joe Gaines AKSN-311 and Ken Alley AKSN-296 were Co-Chairmen of the 60th Anniversary Celebration.
Sunday April 10 marked the annual Parents-Founders Day luncheon held in Hollingsworth Auditorium. A huge crowd of AGRs (actives and alumni), parents, wives, girlfriends and supporters were in attendance. Special guests include Dr. Cayla Beyl, Dean of the UT College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Susan Marks and John Long, mother and uncle of the late John Long Marks, Mr. & Mrs. Jim Bletner, son and daughter-in-law of the late Dr. J. K. Bletner, and Mrs. Dee Lidvall and family.
Alumni attending one or more of the weekend events were: Larry Redden, Tracy A. Binkley, Bill Murphy, Linden L. Gill, Mark Wilson, Bill Kemp, Mike Estes, Dwane Bell, Bill Craig, Doug Craig, Joe Harrison, Joe Gaines, Jim Nunn, Ken Alley, Don March, Thomas White, Louis Buck, Glen Newton, Brent Hurd, Jim Moore, Max Gregory, Johnny Bruff, Dan Wheeler, Mike Hensley, Keith Harrison, Dail Meadows, Charles Goan, Clay Head, Tom Looney, Charlie Elder, Lewis Kinnard, Chuck Yoest, Lawrence Shore, Lance Bracy, Brick Veirs, Daniel Hale, Will Nichols, David Lee, Raymond Hurd, John Tarpley, Bill Coley, Gene Caldwell, Vance Dennis, George Childress, Ben Sanders, David Hayes, Phil Baggett, David Owen, Bill Newman, Stuart Morris, Charles Harrison, Steve Harrison, Paul Harrison, Kirby Reed, Robert Elliott, Ryan Hensley, Don Smith, Jody Wallace, William Elliott, Jerry Estes, and Aaron Fisher.
Over 125 brothers, both alumni and active, participated in the weekend’s 60th Anniversary and Parents-Founders Day activities.