A number of organizations provide students opportunities for professional and leadership development, service, and networking with other students, faculty, and professionals. Agricultural Sciences student organizations include the following: Agronomy Club, Alpha Gamma Rho, Alpha Zeta, Block and Bridle, Future Farmers of America, Horticulture Club, and Pre-Vet Club.
Students who desire more information about these organizations may consult with the Department of Agricultural Sciences, Reese Hall 101, Phone: 318-257-2303.
The Fraternity of Alpha Zeta
Alpha Zeta is a professional honorary fraternity. Tech's Louisiana Gamma Chapter of Alpha Zeta is comprised of students majoring in Agricultural Business, Agricultural Education, Animal Science, Plant Science, Forestry, or Wildlife Science. Alpha Zeta members are recognized by potential employers for their scholarship, leadership, and service to the agricultural community.
Membership is by invitation to students demonstrating superior scholarship (3.0 GPA or greater and at least 24 hours of earned credit), leadership, and dedicated service to Louisiana Tech University. Initiation is held in the Fall and Spring Quarters. New members are featured in the Alpha Zeta display case on the first floor of Reese Hall.
Block and Bridle Club
The Louisiana Tech University Block and Bridle Club is both a social and service organization. It is the oldest and largest agricultural student organization on campus and maintains an affiliation with the National Block and Bridle Club. Selected members regularly represent Louisiana Tech University at the annual National Convention.
Membership is open to students from all majors throughout Louisiana Tech University. Block and Bridle members are a diverse group of students who have a genuine love for agriculture and a desire to promote it. These students are generally seen promoting agriculture and Louisiana Tech University throughout the state by assisting with livestock shows, 4-H and FFA events, and other opportunities as they arise. Examples of the annual events in which the Club participates include The North Louisiana State Fair, The State Fair of Louisiana, The AG Expo Livestock Show, and The Showdown at the Ike.
The annual Little International is the Club's major event, featuring students who participate in an animal (beef, dairy, equine, sheep, or swine) fitting and showing contest. The show is held on the first Saturday in May and is followed that evening by an awards banquet.
Collegiate FFA
The Louisiana Tech University Collegiate FFA is a social and service organization that is dedicated to promoting agriculture and agricultural education through its affiliation with the National Future Farmers of America Organization.
Membership is open to all Louisiana Tech University majors, regardless of prior participation in FFA or not. The Louisiana Tech University Chapter of the Collegiate FFA has been recently reorganized and invites all interested students to become members.
Equestrian Club
The Louisiana Tech University Equestrian Club is both a social and service organization. It was organized to bring students of all majors together who share a common interest in horses. The club participates in regular events such as volunteering to be judges at the Holly Hills Jump Contest in the spring and fall, giving riding demonstrations to the local Girl Scouts, and raising money by selling a miniature donkey in the fall.
This past year, the club raised money and went on a trip to Lexington, Kentucky, to visit the Kentucky Horse Park and Churchill Downs, the site of the famous Kentucky Derby.
Horticulture Society
The Louisiana Tech University Horticulture Society is a Collegiate Chapter of the American Society for Horticulture Science. The club participates in field trips and tours of horticultural enterprises throughout the country, sponsors the annual Poinsettia Show and Sale, and manages the John D. Griffin Horticultural Display Garden on Tech's South Campus.
Membership is open to all Louisiana Tech University students, regardless of major, who are interested in horticulture. The club offers members opportunities to associate with other clubs from Universities throughout the United States and to take part in judging and identification competitions, as well as trade shows and educational seminars.
Pre-Veterinary Medicine Club
The Louisiana Tech University Pre-Veterinary Medicine Club is a professional organization designed to promote scholastic achievement and professional development among pre-veterinary medicine students. The Pre-Vet Club serves a vital role in education and preparation of students for admission to a professional school of veterinary medicine. Throughout the year, the Pre-Vet Club is involved in community service projects. Pet therapy sessions are offered to local nursing homes through PUPS (Pets Uplifting People's Spirits). Other activities include assisting with American Kennel Club dog shows and sponsoring community dog dips where students bathe dip, and clip the nails of dogs for a small fee.
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Membership is open to all Louisiana Tech University students, regardless of major, who have an interest in pre-veterinary medicine or who are interested in animal health. Club activities allow students to interact with animal health professionals and observe animal care procedures at local clinics. The club usually visits a professional veterinary school each year, where members are given the opportunity to visit actual classroom sessions, visit with former Tech students who are now enrolled in veterinary school, and visit with veterinary school faculty and administrators who be evaluating applications for the professional school. The club serves a vital link between pre-veterinary students and professional schools of veterinary medicine.
Alpha Gamma Rho (AGR)
Alpha Gamma Rho is a social-professional fraternity for men interested in careers related to any aspect of the food and fiber industries. While most of members are majoring in one of the agricultural sciences (animal science, agricultural business, agricultural education, forestry, wildlife conservation) we accept men from other majors if they are pursing a career in agriculture. The purpose of AGR is to make better men and foster brotherhood for a lifetime. The world needs a few good men – the kind of men who lead by the example of their character and the value of their actions. For more than 100 years, Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity has successfully endeavored to make such men – taking the best and making them better by helping to harness the power within each man to achieve his potential. Alpha Gamma Rho is actually two fraternities in one. We’re a social fraternity offering a host of experiences that involve our members in the rich social fabric of college life, plus we’re a professional fraternity – bonding our members in a common cause to better themselves as they pursue careers in agriculture, food or fiber industries. Please contact Mark Wood (318 245-1664), Dr. Lusby (318 257-2451) or Dr. Hillard (318 257-3275) if you have an interest in joining AGR.
