Alpha Zeta graduated four outstanding students in May 2013. All four young men were an integral part of shaping the fraternity during their time at Penn State.
Best wishes to them as they now make their mark in their respective fields within the agriculture industry!
Ryan Cochran
Hometown: Akron, Pennsylvania
Major: Agricultural Science with a minor in Agronomy
Leadership positions held within AZ: Rush Chair, Professional Development Chair
Other leadership positions held at Penn State: University Park Undergraduate Association, Representative for the College of Agriculture and Vice President of Collegiate Farm Bureau
Proudest achievement in college: Winning Ag Man of the Year Award
Career I landed: I am currently working as a commercial credit analyst for Fulton Financial Corporation.
Favorite Alpha Zeta memory: Going to California with the Dairy Science Club and having a great time with our AZ group there.
Funniest Alpha Zeta memory: Shooting a squirrel and making it look like it broke into brother Gray’s room. Brother Howe and I made it look like the squirrel died by choking on a piece of candy. We never told him it was us.
Tyler Patton
Hometown: Ellwood City, Pennsylvania
Major: Turfgrass Science with a minor in Agriculture Business Management
Leadership positions held within AZ: Rush Chair, Homecoming Chair, Social Chair and Censor
Other leadership positions held at Penn State: Vice President of Turf Club
Proudest achievement in college: Participating in Sigma Alpha’s “Men of Ag” calendar
Career I landed: I currently work for Dow AgroSciences as a turf and ornamental sales rep. I’ll continue to climb the corporate ladder from here.
Favorite Alpha Zeta memory: Falling though the back of the float during the homecoming parade
How my Alpha Zeta experience benefitted me: AZ has made me a better person in general. Associating myself with quality individuals made me hold myself to a higher standard.
Joel Smith
Hometown: Palmyra, Pennsylvania
Major: Animal Sciences, Business Management option
Leadership positions held within AZ: Rush Chair, Sergeant at Arms
Proudest achievement in college: Dancing in the 2013 THON
Career I landed: I returned to the family dairy farm.
Favorite Alpha Zeta memory: The numerous days and nights out on the porch with the brotherhood.
Why I picked AZ over other Greek chapters: I liked the fact that it’s a professional, honorary and agricultural fraternity.
Nathan Ulmer
Hometown: Bellefonte, Pennsylvania
Major: Animal Sciences with a minor in Agribusiness Management
Leadership positions held within AZ: Chaplain, Treasurer, Chancellor and New Member Educator
Other leadership positions held at Penn State: Nittany Lion Fall Classic Sale Chair
Proudest achievement in college: Chairing the Nittany Lion Fall Classic Sale
Career I landed: I returned to the family dairy farm. I will eventually take over in partnership with family.
Favorite Alpha Zeta memory: Creating the nativity scene around Christmas time.
Why I picked AZ over other Greek chapters: For its rich history in agricultural leadership.