Tennessee FarmHouse Fraternity 50^th Anniversary Wrap Up

Daniel Wilson (TN 02’) -TN 50^th Committee Chairman

-Group photo of all of the Alumni that attended the Formal Banquet on Saturday night.  Over 100 Alumni, Actives and guests attended the Tennessee Chapter FarmHouse Fraternity 50^th Anniversary.

How does it feel to be 50 years old?  Well some of you reading this may have already crossed that milestone in life, but you can also say now that the FarmHouse Fraternity Tennessee chapter has been around for half a century. 

On the 7^th-9^th of August, 2009 the University of Tennessee Chapter of FarmHouse Fraternity celebrated its 50^th Anniversary over a three day event held in Knoxville.  Over 100 Alumni, Undergraduates and family attended the event. 

Some of the highlights of the event were a Pig roast on Friday night, Association Meeting, Formal Initiation and Re-Initiation for Pledges, Actives and Alumni, Antique Tractor Raffle, Formal Anniversary Banquet, and a memorial reading of brothers lost in our 50 year existence.

The formal initiation was held at the Christ Chapel Non-Denominational Church (formerly Epworth Methodist Church) which was the site of the Installation Ceremony of the Tennessee FarmHouse Fraternity Chapter back in 1959.  The 2009 Formal initiates were initiated in the same church as the charter members, and all alumni in attendance were re-initiated to commemorate the commitment made to the FarmHouse Fraternity. 

Special guests attending the event were Allison Rickels, Executive Director-FarmHouse Foundation, Louis Boyd (former charter Advisor), L. Myles Carpenter (TN 59’) 2008 Master Builder of Men Recipient, Chapter Advisors- Dr. Matt Welborn- Dr. Kenneth Baker- Dr. David Kirkpatrick. 

During the formal banquet five decade presentations were presented.  The presentations covered various things that happened in the that decadal time period from good to bad, to bragging rights at the old school “Tug of War” competitions that were exhilarating to say the least.  The following alumni presented material for their respected decades. 

·         1960’s= Burgess (Bud) Guinn (TN 59’)

·         1970’s= Dwight Loveday (TN 71’)

·         1980’s= Darrell Ailshie (TN 83’)

·         1990’s= Thomas McCall (TN 94)

·         2000’s= Jonathon Mixon (TN 07’)

This event would not have been possible if not for the help of some people who cannot be overlooked in a recap of the event.  Thanks needs to be given to all of the Active Chapter members for their hard work cleaning, setting up and taking down everything that needed to be done to make the event happen, Dr. John B. Riley for his dedication in helping before-during- and after all of the events, Allison Rickels Executive Director-FarmHouse Foundation for being our guest speaker and helping with numerous things during the weekend. 

If you missed the Tennessee Chapters FarmHouse Fraternity 50^th Anniversary then I am sure that if you talk with other alumni that attended the event they will say you missed out.  It was a great weekend for brotherly fraternal gathering, honoring of all members hard work throughout our half century of existence, and just great conversation with our brothers. 

It is not too late to catch up with lost friends or old buddies.  You can get involved with the Tennessee Chapter by referring an undergraduate prospective student our way, donation of money, donation of some sort of service, attend one of our Alumni Events, serve on the Alumni Association board, serve as an advisor to the chapter, or many other ways. 

We encourage your attendance and desire it greatly at our alumni functions.  With so many great men in our Fraternity we do great with a few but we could turn things over with just a few more. 

Thank you for attendance and support of our great FarmHouse Fraternity in Tennessee at the 50^th Anniversary.