4-Fold Building Process
For nearly a century, FarmHouse Fraternity has stood out among
the crowd of college Greek Lettered general fraternities. Our
name has always set us apart for it is something in which our
Founders and the 30,000 men who have since followed them take
great pride in. Since our founding at the University of Missouri in
1905, the central objective of FarmHouse has been to build the
man in four ways:
...Intellectually...To sharpen the mind.
Intellectual growth is usually the prime objective of the student, too, and so we believe it becomes a primary responsibility of our Fraternity. FarmHouse Fraternity at Troy University has set itself apart from the Fraternity stereotype by earning the top fraternity GPA and the IFC Scholarship award for fourteen of the past sixteen years. We continually strive to maintain academic excellence as a whole and as individuals. Our new member process requires study hall hours three times a week, and a pledge must maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher to stay active in the fraternity. Our fraternity provides tutors, and the house is equipped with a twenty four hour study room. These are just a few of the things offered to an individual in order to improve himself scholastically. At FarmHouse, we believe nothingshould stand in the way of one's education. The Fraternity provides the arena for discussion of current topics, related to areas of common study, to politics and current events, all within the boundaries of friendship and brotherhood.
In our chapters each pledge is assigned to a "Big Brother," an upperclassman, whose responsibility it is to give counsel and guidance in areas where the pledge experiences difficulty. In some of our chapters the men work as teams of two evenly matched gradewise, competitively, to improve their study habits and to sharpen their minds.
Talented young people in the chapters are encouraged to perform individually and in small groups within the chapter as well as to share their talents in all-campus activities.
...Spiritually...To provide opportunity for spiritual growth.
When a young man goes to college he is usually taking a first major step toward independence. At this time his religious convictions and his feelings toward the morals and customs he has shared with his family undergo a major step. He may build on these foundations, or he may, consciously or unconsciously, drift away from his religious convictions. FarmHouse chapters, however, encourage their members to grow in their faith and in their ties with their church.
"Religious faith, while an intimately personal thing, is to be nurtured, not diminished, by the common life of the brotherhood. It is ever an object of concern and respect; never one of ridicule or of superficial pretense.†We believe Jesus Christ to be the ultimate example of a FarmHouse man and it is He who we strive to grow more like.
...Socially & Morally…To develop and grow as gentleman with good moral character.
Respect for ourselves and each other demands that we behave with intelligence and with regard for each other, to the best of our abilities, in a controlled and considerate demean. We are judged in society by our manners, by our attitudes and by our behavior. As members of a group we have come to realize that the group is often judged by the actions of the individual, as the group with which he associates judges the individual. It is the aim of FarmHouse to create opportunities for its members to develop as gentleman. Chapter functions often include Swaps and Socials with sororities, Homecoming Activities, House and Band Parties, Crawfish Boils, date Parties, Banquets, etc.
Friendly and constructive criticism is part of the plan of FarmHouse living and is designed, in part, to help each man to achieve ease and poise at social functions. It is recognized that the ability to accept constructive criticism and to profit by it comes with maturity.
...Physically...to enhance well being and health.
To be mentally alert, productive, and a contributing member to the Fraternity and society, a man needs to be in good health. A major lesson that every university man must learn is how to plan his time so that he is able to study, to rest, and to pursue recreational interests in proper relation to his responsibilities to the university, his chosen field, and his family. Athletics are a great part of the FarmHouse experience. FarmHouse finishes
first in many of the sports we compete in and have won the intramural All-Sports Trophy eight of the past ten years. Our brothers compete in flag football, soccer, basketball, swimming, tennis, kickball, water polo, ping pong, volleyball, and softball.