Iowa Alpha Chapter of Tau Beta Pi
Tau Beta Pi is the only engineering honor society representing the entire engineering profession. It is the nation’s second-oldest honor society, founded at Lehigh University in 1885 to mark in a fitting manner those who have conferred honor upon their Alma Mater by distinguished scholarship and exemplary character as students in engineering, or by their attainments as alumni in the field of engineering, and to foster a spirit of liberal culture in engineering colleges. Engineering students in the top 1/8 of the junior class, top 1/5 of the senior class, and top 1/5 of the engineering graduate college are eligible for membership.
The Iowa Alpha Chapter of Tau Beta Pi was established in 1907, as the nations 19th collegiate chapter. It is the oldest continually active honor society at Iowa State University and one of the most celebrated of the 255 active Tau Beta Pi chapters located at universities throughout the country. The chapter contributes significantly to the College of Engineering through outreach activities, including an annual Rollercoaster Competition, a hands on engineering experience, for middle and high schools students in Iowa. The chapter provides service to the university and Ames community through its Pi Mile Run, Adopt-a-Highway, and other activities. Iowa Alpha strives to be more than an academic honor society, and Tau Beta Pi members, in addition to their scholastic excellence, are expected to be individuals who will bring honor and integrity to the engineering profession.