Tau Alpha Pi () is a scholastic
honor society
In the United States, an honor society is a rank organization that recognizes excellence among peers. Numerous societies recognize various fields and circumstances. The Order of the Arrow, for example, is the National Honor Society of the Boy S ...
that recognizes academic achievement among students in the field of
engineering technology
An engineering technologist is a professional trained in certain aspects of development and implementation of a respective area of technology. Engineering technology education is even more applied and less theoretical than engineering education ...
.
Tau Alpha Pi honor society has 85 chapters across the United States, and a total membership of approximately 7,000. Additionally, the society has always been open to both associate and bachelor degree candidates.
Tau Alpha Pi is one of the most selective honor societies in the United States, only inviting the top four percent of an institution’s total engineering technology enrollment.
History
The society was founded at
Southern Polytechnic State University
Southern Polytechnic State University (also called Southern Poly; abbreviated SPSU) was a public, co-educational, state university in Marietta, Georgia, United States approximately northwest of downtown Atlanta. Until 2015, it was an independe ...
in 1953 by professor Jesse DeFore, and admitted to the
Association of College Honor Societies The Association of College Honor Societies (ACHS) is a predominantly American, voluntary association that serves a number of functions with respect to national collegiate and post-graduate honor societies. ACHS coordinates member organizations, fac ...
in 2000. It was managed for over 30 years by engineering technology educator Frederick J. Berger who saw it dramatically transform into a viable national honor society. In honor of Berger's commitment to Tau Alpha Pi and to engineering technology education, the
American Society for Engineering Education
The American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) is a non-profit member association, founded in 1893, dedicated to promoting and improving engineering and engineering technology education. The purpose of ASEE is the advancement of education ...
, which took over the management of Tau Alpha Pi in 1997, presents a yearly award in his name.
Mission
The purpose of Tau Alpha Pi is twofold. First, to recognize high standards of scholarship among students in engineering technology program. Secondly, to promote and encourage scholastic achievement by offering outstanding engineering technology students membership in the society. In order to allow members to succeed academically, the society keeps a list of scholarships on its website that members can apply to.
See also
*
Association of College Honor Societies The Association of College Honor Societies (ACHS) is a predominantly American, voluntary association that serves a number of functions with respect to national collegiate and post-graduate honor societies. ACHS coordinates member organizations, fac ...
References
External links
*
ACHS Tau Alpha Pi entry
Association of College Honor Societies
Honor societies
Student organizations established in 1953
1953 establishments in Georgia (U.S. state)
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