It would be an understatement to say that we’ve packed a lot into the first 6 months of this year. As we prepare for the second half of 2020, let’s review the first half and what Tau Beta Pi members accomplished.
January 2020
Tau Beta Pi’s 47 active Alumni Chapters strive to connect Tau Beta Pi members through networking and outreach and to inspire integrity and excellence in engineering. Here are some Alumni Chapter updates. The Albuquerque Chapter contact is Anthony L. Montoya, Jr., P.E., NM Gamma ’02.
The El Paso Alumni Chapter was reactivated January 16; contact Benjamin C. Flores, Ph.D., TX Theta ’85. If you are interested in joining any of the 47 active alumni chapters, contact tricia@tbp.org.
February 2020
Tau Beta Pi recognized National Engineering Week with a nod to two collegiate chapters doing some great things. Tamara Reid Bush, Michigan Alpha ’89, director of the Michigan State Biomechanical Design Research Laboratory, was featured in an article. “Here in the Biomechanical Design Research Laboratory (BDRL) at Michigan State University, we’re applying principles of mechanical engineering to the human body.”
UKY-blue team members: Peter A. Bifone Jr., KY A ’20, and Brendon A. Bultman, KY A ’22, attended the North America Championship 2020 in Atlanta, hosted by Georgia Tech College of Computing, February 19-23.
March 2020
COVID-19 made headlines around the world and in the Tau Beta Pi Blog, as well. Headquarters staff was required to ‘stay-at-home’, deadlines were extended for applications and report filings, and initiations were adapted for a virtual event.
however, COVID-19 threw a wrench into many plans, but not for everyone!
April 2020
Thank you to Tau Beta Pi Volunteers! HQ spent most of April celebrating the more than 1,000 members who volunteer their time and effort to support Tau Beta Pi through educational programs, leadership, governance, alumni outreach, mentoring, advising, and with contributions of their personal time and financial support. Please take a moment to see how Tau Beta Pi pays tribute to our volunteers in this special edition digital publication.
Several volunteers were selected to highlight on Facebook with an active link to a profile page on each person and a link to the digital publication recognizing all volunteers. On Instagram, a picture of each honoree appeared daily during National Volunteer Week with a written link to their profile. Unfortunately, Instagram doesn’t allow for live links. And, of course these can be viewed on the TBP blog.
May 2020
In May, we shared the COVID-19 recovery story of Tau Beta Pi Executive Director Emeritus James D. Froula, P.E. (Ret.), TN Alpha ’67. We also highlighted the history making story of Nicholas André G. Johnson, NJ Delta ’20, who was named valedictorian at Princeton, the first black person to achieve this feat.
June 2020
June brought the celebration of a successful launch in the United States of a manned SpaceX rocket with two Tau Beta Pi astronauts onboard, Lt. Col. Douglas G. (Doug) Hurley, LA Beta ’88, and Robert L. (Bob) Behnken, Ph.D., MO Gamma ’92, and top graduates across the country. Also, the Fellowship Board announced the selection of 30 engineering students from 408 applicants for graduate fellowships in 2020-21. All of the 2020-21 recipients were awarded cash stipends of $10,000 for advanced study.
More than $7,600,000 in stipends will have been given by the Society when the 87th group of fellows completes its graduate work. All Tau Beta Pi Fellowships are awarded on the competitive criteria of high scholarship, campus leadership and service, and promise of future contributions to the engineering profession.
July 2020
In July, we posted the first half of this wrap-up as our Mid-Year Review on the TBP HQ blog. 2020 would have more in store!
August 2020
In August, we highlighted several Tau Bates who had recently been recognized for awards.
October 2020
In October, we learned more about the perseverance of Tau Beta Pi members Melody Gonzalez, E.I., FL Q ’18 and Felipe Valdez, CA U ’16. Their stories inspired us and their passion for engineering shone through.
November 2020
In November, we reviewed some of our favorite moments from Unvention 2020, Tau Beta Pi’s inaugural virtual Convention. We are so grateful to the over 1,200 Tau Bates who registered and participated!
December 2020
Finally, in December we closed out the year with blog posts about some of our TBP Firsts this year as well as a celebration of this year’s Chapter Award winners. Tau Beta Pi is grateful for all of its member support in 2020 and beyond!
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