History
General History
The Fraternity of Alpha Zeta was
founded on November 4, 1897, at THE Ohio State University by Charles W.
Burkett and John F. Cunningham. The founding of the Fraternity began
with Brothers Burkett and Cunningham, who were roommates while studying
in the College of Agriculture at Ohio State. They realized the need for
fellowship among students dedicated to the cause of agriculture.
Agricultural education was of low meaning in the University. Similarly,
there was little regard for the few students enrolled in agriculture.
They needed an organized way to promote agriculture openly and
cooperatively and to gain respect for themselves.
It was three years between
the first planning and the actual organization of the Fraternity. In
June of 1897, Brother Burkett and Brother Cunningham took the following
oath: "The Fraternity of Alpha Zeta begins its work. Its spirit will be
: To give, not to receive; to server, not ourselves only, but the
agricultural body, the whole cause of highter education, and in every
way possible all people engaged in the profession of agriculture. May
the Fraternity live forever."
Ten other men were
included in the plans and ideas. These twelve men became the charter
members of the first, and therefore the oldest, agricultural fraternity
in America. In Brother Burkett's own words, "Alpha Zeta was to be a
professional fraternity - to foster leadership in the college of
agriculture, to promote scholarship, to choose personable young men
[and women] of high character and integrity and unite them into an
elite body with a fraternal bond encircling them. It was not a body to
show favor but to serve; it was not a body to give honor to anyone but
one where its members could be of help to others. In other words, it
was not intended as an honorary fraternity but a fraternity to help;
all, in its reach, in the cause of agriculture." Burkett and Cunningham
were not only dedicated, devoted, and determined men, proud of their
places in agriculture, they were also men of vision who took an active
role in the fraternity's development.
The purpose of the
Fraternity is to promote agriculture in its broad concept while
encouraging and developing its actual and potential leadership. It is
felt that recognition of these ideals would serve to inspire greater
achievement by agricultural students and would also serve to motivate
members to greater service in the advancement of agriculture after
college work had been completed. Fellowship, service, and a spirit of
love and fraternity are involved, thus members down through the years
have found recognition and satisfaction in becoming part of The
Fraternity of Alpha Zeta.
National Alpha Zeta Foundation of America
The National Alpha Zeta
Foundation of America, Inc. (NAZF) was founded in 1960 in Washington,
D.C. by the Fraternity in conjunction with the Washington D.C. Alumni
Association as an instrument to more completely accomplish its purpose
and objectives. Its primary purpose was to receive and administer funds
for scientific, educational, and charitable purposes which best advance
agriculture for the public good.
Alpha Zeta Foundation
A second foundation, the Alpha
Zeta Foundation, Inc. (AZFI), was established on April 4, 1984 in
Indiana. It was established to provide support for leadership
development programs, including the LEAD (Leadership Education and
Development) conferences, in addition to Alpha Zeta's national
scholarship program.
Alpha Zeta National Office
The Alpha Zeta National Office
is located in Lafayette, Indiana. Some of the duties and services of
the National Office are listed below.
- Maintains all fraternity membership records
- Issues membership certificates and identification cards
- Coordinates the orders of all chapter supplies and jewelry
- Edits and distributes all national fraternity publications
- Maintains the financial records of the Fraternity and the foundations
- Handles all general correspondence regarding general fraternity business
- Keeps in contact with the individual chapters
- Processes applications for scholarships and other purposes
- Performs the directives of the High Council
The Biennial Conclave
The Biennial Conclave is the Fraternity's national convention. It is held every odd-numbered year, currently in August. The conclave site is rotated between regions. Each chapter is expected to send one delegate, but all members are strongly encouraged to attend. The Conclave is the governing body of the Fraternity. The official body of the Conclave consists of members of the High Council and transacts other Fraternity business.
This website maintained by
Kristin Wahlberg
Last updated 09/22/2008