FarmHouse Excellence

Celebrates Fifty Years of Fraternal

By Charlie B. Edgington

As FarmHouse Fraternity reaches its fiftieth anniversary, past and current members prepare to celebrate five decades of brotherhood and accomplishments.

The festivities will take place during Ag Roundup, September 7-8, 2001, creating an excellent opportunity for alumni and friends to renew friendships, share memories, and get a glimpse of the future of FarmHouse.

“Roundup is always a highlight of the academic year. It will be even more exciting with the celebration of FarmHouse’s fiftieth anniversary,” said Mike Richey, ’71. “I hope all the FH alumni will make a special effort to attend.”

Since 1951 more than 750 men have passed through the doors of FarmHouse as active members. During these years, FarmHouse has fostered a bond of brotherhood among these men, providing them with a new family apart from the ones left behind when they came to college.

Dennis Liptrap, ’62, remembers his time in FarmHouse as a time of personal growth. “I had brothers and a house mother who cared about me. It gave me recognition on campus and taught me personal responsibility, leadership, and fiscal management. FarmHouse’s motto, ‘Builders of Men,’ has been a guiding principle throughout my professional career. I still maintain contact with many FarmHouse brothers and consider them some of my closest friends,” he said.

The fraternity also has provided members the opportunity to become active in campus and community-wide activities, and has emerged as a respected leader among organizations on campus.

The chapter has gained recognition on a broader scale by winning the 2000 FarmHouse International Chapter Achievement competition.

How FarmHouse Came to Campus

Dr. Dwight M. Seath, an Iowa State FarmHouse alumnus, had been chair of the University of Kentucky Dairy Department a scant two years when he was contacted in the spring of 1950 by Harold K. Wilson, his former college roommate. Wilson, who was serving as executive secretary of FarmHouse fraternity, encouraged him to help start a FH chapter at UK.

In April of 1950, an assembly of six faculty and ten students met with Joseph Ackerman, the National President of FarmHouse, to discuss founding a Kentucky chapter. Among the faculty in attendance were former Dean of the College Charles Barnhart and former Associate Dean for Instruction Stanley Wall, both FarmHouse alumni. After the initial meeting, the group voted to proceed.

Through the hard work and dedication of these faculty and students, the Kentucky chapter, the twelfth FarmHouse group to be chartered nationally, was established on May 12, 1951.

The continued support and commitment of faculty, alumni, and current student members have developed FarmHouse Fraternity into the organization it is today. Many of its members have gone on to high-level positions within academic institutions, the business world, and personal endeavors.

Call Me ‘Mom’

House mothers are a part of fraternity living, but the ten women who have served at FarmHouse through the years have especially endeared themselves to the residents. Most of the young men have never lived away from home before, so the house mothers serve as their second mom.

I feel like I was put here to love, comfort, and encourage young men during their college years. I would not trade my 16 plus years for anything

"Mom Lea"

1951-61 Josephine Urmston
1961-62 Eunice Nelson
1962-64 Katharine Dennis
1964-66 Adelaide Heilborne
1966-72 Scottie Arnold
1972-74 Helen Kellogg
1974-75 Ella Smith
1975-79 Elizabeth Unsworth
1979-80 Goldie Herb
1980-86 Elizabeth Unsworth
1986 to Present Lea Coatney

FarmHouse Anniversary Weekend Schedule

Friday, September 7

12 - 4 p.m. Golf Outing — Location TBA
2 - 4 p.m. Campus Tours/Founding Fathers Gathering — Maxwell Street Presbyterian Church
6 - 10 p.m. Banquet — University Student Center

Enjoy an evening reliving 50 years of FarmHouse memories, highlighted with special alumni speakers representing our chapter’s past, present, and future.

Saturday, September 8

8 - 10 a.m. Coffee Reception — E.S. Good Barn

Following Football Game — Chapter House Tours/Live Entertainment

There’s lots to do under the big Roundup tents. Be sure to join us for lunch and entertainment before the UK vs. Ball State football game. You’ll be in good company, too, as 1,800 other Ag alumni and friends gather for Roundup. The FarmHouse group will be seated together at the meal and game. Information about purchasing tickets will be mailed to you in early August.

“I had brothers and a house mother who cared about me. It gave me recognition on campus and taught me personal responsibility, leadership, and fiscal management. FarmHouse’s motto, ‘Builders of Men,’ has been a guiding principle throughout my professional career"

On the Move
Farmhouse Locations Throughout the Years



Transylvania Park & Euclid Avenue (1950)



Conn Terrace (1951-55)



Rose Street (1955-58)



Aylesford Place (1958-73)


Hilltop Drive (1973 - Present)