Brother Sam Mell of Iota Chapter (Wisconsin-Madison) was elected to the Wisconsin FFA State Officer Team. He is the Section 5 State Vice President. Brother Mell shared, “Serving on the Wisconsin State FFA Officer Team is one of the greatest honors and opportunities of my life. FFA has given me mentors, memories, and moments that shaped who I am today, pushing me to grow through Leadership and Career Development Events, community service, and beyond. Now, it’s my turn to give back by inspiring and empowering the next generation of agricultural leaders. Wisconsin FFA is so much more than cows, sows and plows — it represents a diverse and dynamic industry, from forestry, food science, genetics, global trade and the list goes on. As agriculture continues to drive Wisconsin forward, our role in educating and equipping future leaders has never been more important.”
Brother Dylan White and Brother Grant Shouse of Beta Rho Chapter (Northwest Missouri State) were awarded the Outstanding Public Service Award by the Maryville, Missouri Fire Chief Jace Pine, for their chapter’s assistance in searching for a missing person last December. In early December, an elderly woman went missing from a local care facility. The fire department was searching for her near where the Beta Rho Chapter house is located and the chapter offered to help. Although the woman was found by a different search team, the Beta Rho Chapter was applauded for their assistance, and the fire department noted their work as an “invaluable” contribution to the efforts.
Brothers David Parker, the late David Pfendler, the late Earl Butz, John Hardin Jr., the late Orville Redenbacher, the late Ronald Hurt, and the late Verne Freeman of Delta Chapter (Purdue) were recognized as one of the University’s Fraternity, Sorority and Coopertive Life’s (FSCL) 150 Most Influential Alumni. Purdue University celebrated 150 years of fraternity/sorority life on their campus September 26-27, 2025. As part of that celebration, 150 alumni were selected as the most influential alumni of the University.
Brother Kirby Schmidt of Lambda Chapter (Minnesota) returned to campus this fall as a Teaching Assistant Professor of Agricultural Education and Work-based Learning in the College of Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resource Sciences at the University of Minnesota. Brother Schmidt will lead coursework, curriculum development, and take on supervision and evaluation duties of teacher candidates pursuing licensure. In 2023, Brother Schmidt completed his Ph.D. at Oregon State University and has since served as a consultant and manager for learning, leadership, and talent development programs across the outdoor recreation industry.
Brother Jacob Thompson of Theta Chapter (Missouri) received the 33° Inspector General Honorary from the Masonic fraternity’s Supreme Council of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Southern Jurisdiction. This honor is among one of the highest in the Scottish Rite, given to those who have made outstanding contributions to society, Masonry and the world. Brother Thompson is currently employed as an AVP/Lender with Peoples Bank and Trust Co. in Troy, Missouri, handling agricultural, commercial and residential lending.
Brother Will Feurer of Beta Alpha Chapter (Southern Illinois) received the Peggy Ramsey Botterman and Mark R. Botterman Scholarship by the institute for his academic excellence, leadership and commitment to public service. Brother Feurer is part of the Southern Illinois University's men's club rugby team, participates in the institute’s Ambassadors Club and is a member of the University Honors Program. He is double-majoring in political science and pre-law, then will attend law school after graduation. Peggy and Mark Botterman, both SIU alumni, have long supported the institute and higher education in Illinois.
Brother David Case of Omicron Chapter (Kentucky) was chosen as the 2025 Educational Trust Golf for Scholarships Honoree by the Ohio AgriBusiness Association (OABA) Educational Trust. Those selected are individuals who have dedicated significant time and effort to the endeavors of OABA’s Educational Trust. Brother Case has served the OABA for more than 30 years in various capacities including the Board of Directors and Chair of the OABA Educational Trust Board.
