"Many a man's reputation would not know his character if they met on the street"

-Elbert Hubbard

Originally charted December 6,1960 at East Texas State University in Commerce, Texas.  The history of Beta Lambda began long before December 6, 1980.  During the mid 1960's a group of agriculture students at East Texas State University got together to form a brotherhood and called this fraternity Alpha Sigma.  The numbers in Alpha Sigma grew and soon the membership sought to affiliate with a national organization.  Alpha Sigma began searching and came across two organizations that could provide national affiliation, Farmhouse or Alpha Gamma Rho.

During the 1968 National Convention in Lincoln Nebraska four delegates from a new Colony of Alpha Gamma Rho from East Texas State University attended their first National Convention.  Those delegates were Joe Parker, Ben Sholtz, Dale Mulkey and Gary Don Newman.  The Colony and later Beta Lambda Chapter at East Texas State was always an organization that built better men.  We have turned out a few corporate executives and maybe a local politician or two.  We have had several military veterans as members and members that later became veterans.  But for years East Texas State and Alpha Gamma Rho at East Texas produced numerous unsung heroes that affected change in many young men before they ever thought about college.  For years agriculture teachers from East Texas State were some of the most sought after in the state.  In large part due to the program developed of Dr. Buck Hughes Department Head of Agriculture at East Texas State University.  Dr, Hughes was also a strong supporter of Alpha gamma Rho at East Texas.  Many of our brother continue today effecting positive change as Educators from East Texas State University now known as Texas A&M University - Commerce.

Collegiate membership at Alpha Gamma Rho in Commerce tended to follow the University trend.  During the mid sixties through early seventies membership was strong with an average membership over forty men.  However, during the mid seventies membership began to suffer.  Then in late seventies AGR began growing again at East Texas State.  December 6, 1980 Pi Chapter of Oklahoma State initiated fifty one members into Alpha Gamma Rho and the Colony at East Texas State University officially became Beta Lambda Chapter.  At this ceremony their were eight past Colony Noble Rulers initiated.

Beta Lambda Chapter had a post initiation slump in membership.  The Chapter closed for a period of ten years.  Then in 1994 was reinstated when a group of young men recognized the need for an agricultural fraternity on the campus of what was now know as Texas A&M University - Commerce.  During 1994 approximately twenty men were once again wearing the colors of green and gold on campus at A &M Commerce for Beta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Gamma Rho continues to this day building better men at Texas A&M University - Commerce. 

Beta Lambda Forever!!!

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