Education
Tau Beta Pi initiates 40th class at Montana Technological University
Montana Technological University’s chapter of Tau Beta Pi, the oldest engineering honor society and the second-oldest collegiate honor society in the United States, initiated its 40th class in early April.
Students in the top 12.5% of the junior class or top 20% of the senior class, based on GPA, are invited to join.
“Most professional fields have similar honor societies,” Tau Beta Pi faculty sponsor Dr. Richard LaDouceur said. “Some people have a misconception that because of the Greek letters, it’s a social organization. It’s not a fraternity. It’s an honor society to honor those who exhibit distinguished scholarship and exemplary character. It’s a great opportunity, a recognition of the success you have already achieved, and all you’ve done to be successful in your life beyond the University, as well.”
This year's inductees include:
Harrison Barbour, Mechanical Engineering
Katherine Bonsell, Geological Engineering
Cooper Cervelli, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering
Gabriel Marquis, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering
Justin Morgan, Electrical Engineering
Calvin Murphy, Environmental Engineering
Jakob Nielsen, Mechanical Engineering
Ethan Heggem, a mechanical engineering junior from Butte, is president of Tau Bet Pi at Montana Tech.
“First and foremost, it’s a celebration of engineering students’ academic achievement and their exemplary character in the extracurriculars they do,” Heggem said. “It’s a big milestone.”
He encourages nominees to join. There are minimal commitments outside of initiation, but numerous opportunities to network and reap the benefits of membership.
Samuel Triepke is a graduate student from Missoula studying mechanical engineering, who served in a leadership position with the honor society as an undergraduate.
“I encourage all eligible students to consider joining Tau Beta Pi,” Triepke said. “Membership in Tau Beta Pi offers extensive networking opportunities and acts as a significant addition to any resume. Being invited to join signifies not only academic excellence but also outstanding character, making it a prestigious honor.”
Tau Beta Pi provides opportunities for $2,000 scholarships and $10,000 fellowships to its members. There are also hotel discounts and discounts on materials to study for the Fundamentals of Engineering and Principles and Practice of Engineering examinations.
“There are a lot of exclusive membership benefits,” Heggem said. As this is a student run organization, the new group of Tau Bates hope to attend the district conference in Boise next year as well as the national conference in Rapid City, SD in the fall. The organization covers many of the travel costs associated with attending each of those important events.
The honor society boasts a number of notable members including Amazon founder Jeff Bezos; Noble Prize winners Donald Glaser and Linus Pauling; Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors; Buzz Aldrin and more than 60 other astronauts; and U.S. Senator Steve Daines.
To learn more about Tau Beta Pi, click here.
