The Pi Chapter of the AGR fraternity has raised more than $217,000 for the New Frontiers campaign. Photo by Maddie Neuschwander.
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s the construction crew places gravel and creates the foundation for the Oklahoma State University New Frontiers Agricultural Hall, alumni and members of Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity have helped prepare for what is to come. AGR members have been connected to OSU Agriculture since 1921. Multiple student leaders from the fraternity have represented the college in various ways and continue to do so, said Heidi Williams, associate vice president of constituent development for the OSU Foundation. In the fall of 2021, AGR alumni and current members learned about an opportunity to solidify the connection between the chapter and the college by donating to the New Frontiers campaign to sponsor a study room named after AGR, said Bobby Marchy, AGR member and agricultural communications senior. 94 SUMMER/FALL 2022
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“I shared the information because my hope was to help the chapter and alumni see AGR’s values of service and agriculture at OSU,” Marchy said. The named space can remind students of the AGR alumni who came before them and who desire to see future students succeed, Marchy said. “I contacted all of the alumni members and told them about the project,” said Dale Elsener, AGR adviser. “I am sure some were aware, but they weren’t aware the undergraduates were willing to participate and help.” Elsener called Jerry White, 1971 AGR alumnus. White took it from there and began contacting other alumni to start gathering donations. “Directing our gift toward the room for AGR was a way to benefit two worthy entities,” White said. “Not only are we helping the Ferguson College of Agriculture New Frontiers, but also we are helping the AGR members have
a place in the new facility with their name on it.” The AGR room will be the thirdfloor student club and study room, approximately 837 square feet. Any student can use the AGR study room, White said. The naming opportunity level for the room was $200,000, but the gifts topped $217,000. Donors contributing $25,000 or more will be recognized on a plaque inside the AGR room. “When you look at the floor plan of the building as it’s visualized, what a dramatic improvement the facility will be over the way things are now,” said Gary Clark, 1969 AGR alumnus and contributor to the AGR room. New Frontiers Agricultural Hall will feature multiple spaces for the college’s 60-plus student clubs and organizations, said Christy Henley, constituent relations associate for the OSU Foundation.
