The Tau Beta Pi Association, national engineering honor society, was founded at Lehigh University in 1885 by Dr. Edward Higginson Williams, Jr., ‘to mark in a fitting manner those who have conferred honor upon their Alma Mater by distinguished scholarship and exemplary character as undergraduates in engineering, or by their attainments as alumni in the field of engineering, and to foster a spirit of liberal culture in engineering colleges’.
Tau Beta Pi is the oldest engineering honor society and the second oldest collegiate honors society, and was a founding member of the Association of College Honor Societies. The creed of Tau Beta Pi, adopted in 1991, is Integrity and Excellence in Engineering. The colors of Tau Beta Pi are seal brown and white, which are the school colors of Lehigh. The official badge, called the Bent, is a watch key in the shape of the bent of a trestle. The trestle is the load-bearing part of the bridge, representing Tau Beta Pi’s principle of Integrity and Excellence In Engineering.
There are 263 chartered Tau Beta Pi Collegiate Chapters; 257 are active, 6 are inactive. There are also 51 active alumni chapters. In total there are 640,078 members who have been initiated into Tau Beta Pi. Throughout it’s history, Tau Beta Pi had been an invite-only honor society, selecting members not only based on academic achievement but also on character. Read more about the national Tau Beta Pi Association on the official website here: https://www.tbp.org/recruit/recruitHome.cfm
Indiana Alpha Chapter
The Indiana Alpha Chapter was established at Purdue in 1893 as the third Tau Beta Pi chapter in the nation. Our chapter has long been the largest in the nation, comprised of the finest engineering students. Nearly 13,000 members have been initiated into Purdue’s chapter alone. Read more about our notable alumni here: https://purduetbp.com/notable-alumni/.
Throughout our history, the Indiana Alpha Chapter has accomplished many great feats. One such achievement is hosting the Tau Beta Pi national convention 7 times, more than any other chapter. Our chapter pioneered the establishment of satellite chapters at Purdue regional campuses in the 1970s. Although these satellite chapters have since been discontinued, there are plans to re-introduce a satellite chapter at the Purdue University in Indianapolis campus in the near future. Another unique program was the mailing of the “Boiler Bent” in the 80s and 90s, a tradition that is being renewed this year. Known awards presented to the Chapter from the Tau Beta Pi Association include 4 Secretary Commendation Awards, 6 Chapter Project Awards, 1 Most Improved Chapter Honorable Mention, and 1 Greater Interest in Government Grant. At Indiana Alpha, excellence is in our DNA, and we continue to strive to be the best chapter in the nation. With your help, we hope to receive the Outstanding Chapter Award! Learn more about what it takes to be an Indiana Alpha member here: https://purduetbp.com/requirements/.
The past two years, the Indiana Alpha Chapter received the Chapter Excellence Award which recognized our recent growth and achievements. After the COVID-19 pandemic, the chapter has flourished with active participation and a variety of events. We strive to be active servants in the community, provide fun activities on campus, and assist the College of Engineering and FYE students. Additionally, we enhance comradery and build lifelong friendships through social events and career-oriented professional development opportunities. Read more on our Events pages. The Indiana Alpha Chapter at Purdue is truly one of the most diverse and active chapters in the nation, and we continue to grow every semester!
Purdue Tau Beta Pi 