The Fall 2010 semester marked the beginning of a new annual philanthropic event for the Beta Nu Chapter as members joined the National MS Society in its fight against Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in honor of friends, family, and alumni who have been diagnosed with the disease. 

 

Throughout the semester, Brothers solicited donations, sold t-shirts, and helped raise awareness about MS.  This year's semester-long effort to raise money for the National MS Society concluded last weekend with seven Brothers participating in a 5K Walk in The Woodlands, Texas.  The Beta Nu Chapter team raised a total of $1725, placing first in the school organizations category. 

 

In addition to participating in the walk in The Woodlands, Brothers also gathered information and established contacts with the National MS Society staff.  It is with great inspiration that the Brothers plan to sponsor and organize a similar annual event in the Bryan/College Station area benefiting the National MS Society.  Details about the Chapter's new annual philanthropic event will be made available in the Spring of 2011. 

 

 

Pictured above: Brothers Logan Leschper, Anthony Lopez, Travis Tippit, Matt Okeson, Wesley Tobola, and Jake Riley "Giving MS the Boot" at the 5K Walk in The Woodlands, Texas.

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Remembering Jerry Litton...Theta alumni initiated in 1958, Jerry served two terms as Noble Ruler in 1958 abd 1959.  

Gift to CAFNR honors Jerry Litton, class of '61

Jerry Litton, who tragically died in an aircraft accident in 1976 after winning a Democratic primary bid for United States Senator, will be honored by the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, University of Missouri, his alma mater.

 

 

The Jerry Litton Fund for Agricultural Leadership will have several components: the Litton Lectureship will bring interesting speakers to campus, the Litton Fellowship will support faculty entrepreneurial activities, the Litton Scholarship will encourage top students to develop their leadership potential, and the Litton Agricultural Leadership Fellowship will help students to gain farm policymaking experience.

The $250,000 fund, announced in October, was endowed by the Jerry Litton Family Memorial Foundation. The foundation supports agricultural, educational and athletic activities in memory of the Jerry Litton family.

"MU and CAFNR played a very important role in shaping Congressman Litton's career," said Edwin Turner, college fraternity brother and Vice President of the Jerry Litton Family Memorial Foundation.

"His unparalleled leadership skills were developed as he participated in many on-campus activities. The resources offered by MU were equally invaluable to the incredible success of the Litton Charolais Ranch. Even though Jerry's life tragically ended at a very young age, he became known both nationally and internationally as an innovative spokesman for agriculture. It is only fitting that The Jerry Litton Fund for Agricultural Leadership be established at CAFNR."

 

 

The Littons were one of the first to take their Charolais on the road to shows across the country in an effort to draw attention to this new breed of cattle which ofered advantages to the American cattleman.

 

From a farm house to House of Representatives

Jerry Lon Litton was born in a farmhouse without plumbing or electricity near Lock Springs, Missouri, on May 12, 1937. During his youth, an accident disabled his father, so his mother supported the family by selling milk from the family's eleven cows. While a student at Chillicothe High School, Litton served as president of both the National Honor Society and the Chillicothe Chapter of Future Farmers of America. In 1956-57 the FFA elected him as national secretary.

Litton graduated from the MU College of Agriculture in 1961 with a bachelor's degree in agricultural journalism and a minor in economics. He returned to Chillicothe and joined his parents in a highly successful cattle-breeding business. Before he began his political career, he was active in promoting youth involvement in leadership in agriculture and rural communities.

In 1972, Litton was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, where he advocated the rights of farmers and hardworking citizens. Often referred to as a "breath of fresh air in Washington," Litton impressed his colleagues with his honesty and his political incorruptibility. House Majority Leader Thomas "Tip" O'Neal claimed that in his 22 years in Congress he had never been more impressed by a freshman congressman than by Jerry Litton.

 

The Powerful Dialogue With Litton

The Congressional Club, which Litton conceived and organized in his district, sponsored a monthly television program, "Dialogue with Litton," that aired statewide. Open to the public, these meetings offered voters a chance to ask questions and state their concerns about political issues. For each show Litton invited a guest, including such prominent political figures as Senator Hubert Humphrey and Georgia Governor Jimmy Carter, who said that he thought Litton would be President one day.

 

 

Guests on "Dialogue with Litton" included Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, Agriculture Secretary Earl Butz, former Vice President Hubery Humphrey, President Ford's campaign manager Bo Callaway, FDR Jr., five democratic presidential candidates, Speaker of the House Carl Albert, and a host of other well known personalities.

Litton decided to seek the seat of retiring U.S. Senator Stuart Symington in 1976. He handily defeated the incumbent's son, James Symington, and former governor Warren Hearnes in the Democratic primary on August 3, 1976. That same evening, Litton, his wife, Sharon, and their two children, Linda and Scott, along with their pilot and the pilot's son, died in a plane crash just after takeoff from Chillicothe Airport en route to a victory celebration in Kansas City.

"Jerry Litton embodied what CAFNR would like to see in all of its graduates – a commitment to personal integrity, a strong work ethic and a passion to serve the community," said Thomas Payne, vice chancellor and dean of the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources. "In his all-too-short life, he inspired those he met to follow him in living these values."

 

Story by Randy Mertens

Photos: The Western Historical Manuscript Collection (University of Missouri / State Historical Society of Missouri)

Posted Oct. 20, 2010

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Allan Purdy was initiated into Alpha Gamma Rho in 1951.  He helped many Theta brothers with financial aid during this college days at Mizzou. 

Contributions to the Allan Purdy Scholarship

If you would like to make a contribution to this scholarship fund, you can make a gift.

For the fund, specify Allan W. and Vivian C. Purdy Enhancement Fund.

Allan Purdy, who dedicated his life to removing financial barriers to higher education, died Oct. 14, 2010 after suffering a stroke. He was 96.

"With the passing of Allan Purdy, the financial aid community and students lose an irreplaceable advocate for college access and success," said National Association of Student Financial Aid Administration President Justin Draeger. "Purdy was a pioneer who helped create a true community of advocates dedicated to helping students achieve their higher education goals. NASFAA is just one part of Purdy's legacy and we will continue to work toward his goal of providing equal opportunity for all students."

Purdy worked as director of scholarships and student financial aid for the University of Missouri for 21 years. He is credited with creating that office, a task given him by MU President Elmer Ellis in 1957. In 1982, Gov. Kit Bond called on Purdy to help students from across the state obtain student loans.

 

Purdy also helped create the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority, spending 20 years on its board of directors, and the first regional financial aid association, the Midwest Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators.

Purdy was the founding president of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators and helped create the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority, spending 20 years on MOHELA's board of directors.

Purdy is survived by his wife, Vivian, and their four children, Robert, George, Ray and Christina, and their families.

Purdy was born in rural Macon County in 1914. Active in 4-H and Future Farmers of America, he graduated from Macon High School, and then farmed for a year with his father.

 

 

In 1938, he earned a bachelor's degree in horticulture from the MU College of Agriculture, now the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources.

He received his master's degree the next year, then joined the Navy, where he served as a PT boat captain during World War II.

He returned to MU as an extension horticulturist. Purdy quickly became an advocate for the agricultural school's efforts to provide scholarships for more students.

The MU Ag Alumni Association's Allan Purdy Distinguished Service Award was named in Purdy's honor.

 

Story: Randy Mertens
Posted Oct. 15, 2010

 

A memorial wreath was placed near the Purdy Tree Collection in front of the Bond Life Sciences Building.

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Riley Pagett, Oklahoma FFA Member from Woodward, has been selected as the 2010-2011 National FFA President.

 

Read the complete National FFA News Release

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