Dr. Cook served on the High Council for 13 years.  He served as High Scribe from 1972 through 1976.  He served as High Chancellor from 1976 through 1985.  Dr. Cook was honored as one of only 100 members of the Fraternity's Centennial Honor Roll of distinguished agricultural leaders in 1997.  He also served as a member of the board of directors of Alpha Zeta Foundation, Inc. and served for many years as an advisor of the North Carolina Chapter at North Carolina State University.  Click the headline link above to read his obituary -- courtesy of Shannon Funeral Service.

On Monday, March 22nd, The Virginia Chapter held its Sixth Annual Agriculture Pageant and was the first year the event was held virtually.

James Clarence Preston ’50, Ed.D. ’68, a former Cornell Cooperative Extension agent who served as a professor of rural sociology at Cornell from 1968-88 and developed the Empire State Food and Agriculture Leadership Institute (LEAD New York), died Sept. 2 at his home in Hector, New York. He was 92.

Alpha Zeta members eager to learn about a great fraternity member, a great statesman, and a global leader for U.S. agriculture and U.S. Foreign Policy, should consider the long, distinguished, and productive life of Indiana’s U.S. Senator Richard G. Lugar, who died aged 87 in April 2019. Lugar was an Honorary member of Alpha Zeta.

Merwyn Davidson, age 85, of Aurora, passed away on Friday, Jan. 18, 2019, at Lincoln.  A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 26 at the United Methodist Church in Aurora. Revs. Greg Reed, Michelle Reed and Lonnie Ott will officiate. Inurnment will be prior to the church service at 10 a.m. at the Aurora Cemetery.  No Visitation.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Love Justice International for the support of Kevin and Sally Bolis missionary work.  

Arnold Pierce Appleby of Corvallis died peacefully at home on December 6, 2018. He was 83 years old.

By Lyndsie Schlink

Instead of heading back to their farms for the night, four Illinois State Department of Agriculture students were waiting in line together in Pesotum to meet their scholarship donor, country megastar Luke Bryan.  This year Illinois State University’s Department of Agriculture was a beneficiary, awarding the Luke Bryan Farm Tour Scholarship to graduate student Joshua McWilliams of Fairbury, senior Zachary Rippel of Roanoke, junior Benjamin Temple of Serena, and senior Susie Thompson of Maple Park.

If you’re thinking about applying and want a career as an agricultural diplomat, AZ alumnus offers help.

Alpha Zeta Chapter of Puerto Rico carried out during the same day the initiation for new members and the pass for the new Officer Team.