Omega Chi Epsilon (or , sometimes simplified to OXE) is an American honor society for

chemical engineering Chemical engineering is an engineering field which deals with the study of operation and design of chemical plants as well as methods of improving production. Chemical engineers develop economical commercial processes to convert raw materials int ...

students.

History

The first chapter of Omega Chi Epsilon was formed at the

University of Illinois The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (U of I, Illinois, University of Illinois, or UIUC) is a public land-grant research university in Illinois in the twin cities of Champaign and Urbana. It is the flagship institution of the Univer ...

in 1931 by a group of chemical engineering students. These Founders were: * F. C. Howard * A. Garrell Deem * Ethan M. Stifle * John W. Bertetti Founders named noted in th
National Constitution
other pages provide detail about present structure of the organization. Accessed 24 Mar 2021. They were aided in their efforts by professors D.B. Keyes and Norman Krase. The second chapter was formed at the

Iowa State University Iowa State University of Science and Technology (Iowa State University, Iowa State, or ISU) is a public land-grant research university in Ames, Iowa. Founded in 1858 as the Iowa Agricultural College and Model Farm, Iowa State became one of the ...

in 1932. The Society grew slowly at first. Baird's Manual indicates there were six chapters by 1957, of which three were inactive. However interest was revived in the 1960 which allowed a period of sustained growth that has continued to the present day. There are approximately 80 active chapters of the society as of 2021. Omega Chi Epsilon amended its constitution to permit women to become members as of 1966. The organization became a member of the Association of College Honor Societies in 1967. Membership is limited to chemical engineering juniors, seniors and graduate students. Associate membership may be offered to professors or other members of the staff of institutions within the field.

Governance

The Society's annual meeting is held at the same time and place as the annual meeting of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. Governance is vested in a national president, vice-president, executive secretary and treasurer. With the immediate past president, these constitute the Executive Committee.

National officers

* President - Dr. Christi Patton-Luks, Missouri Science and Technology * Vice-president - Dr. Troy Vogel, University of Notre Dame * Treasurer - Dr. G. Glenn Lipscomb, University of Toledo * Executive Secretary - Dr. Richard A. Davis, University of Minnesota at Duluth

Symbolism and traditions

The Society's badge is a black Maltese cross background, on which is superimposed a circular crest. The crest bears the letters ''ΩΧΕ'' on a white band passing across the horizontal midline. Above the white band are two crossed ''

retort In a chemistry laboratory, a retort is a device used for distillation or dry distillation of substances. It consists of a spherical vessel with a long downward-pointing neck. The liquid to be distilled is placed in the vessel and heated. The ...

s'' rendered in gold on a maroon background. Below the white band are a gold integral sign and a bolt of lightning. These symbols are noted to represent the roles of chemistry, mathematics and physics in chemical engineering. The Society's official seal is made of two concentric circles, bearing at the top, center the words ''Omega Chi Epsilon'' with the words ''Founded, 1931'' at the bottom center. The letters of the society appear in the center of the seal. The Society's colors are black, white and maroon. Chapter traditions of service to their chemical engineering departments commonly prevail rather than broader, national traditions.

References

External links