October 09, 2023

At Mizzou Engineering, high achieving students have the opportunity to make life-changing connections both on campus and throughout the country by joining national honor societies during their junior or senior year.

Tau Beta Pi is the second oldest honor society in the nation and is the only honor society that represents the entire engineering profession. At Mizzou, students are invited to join this society and get involved with its numerous networking and volunteering opportunities.

“Invitations to complete the initiation process are extended to individuals who exhibit outstanding integrity, adaptability, breadth of interests and a record of unselfish service, as well as holding an academic rank in the top eighth of the junior class or the top fifth of the senior class of engineers,” said Clare Harmon, President of the Missouri Alpha Chapter of Tau Beta Pi. “Members of this organization are tasked with upholding these values throughout their academic and professional careers.”

Mizzou is home to one of 258 chapters of Tau Beta Pi across the country. The Missouri Alpha Chapter was founded on November 15, 1902, predating Engineers’ Week, another longstanding tradition at the College that celebrates the work of engineering students.

Active members, or students who have been initiated in previous semesters, must attend at least three events per semester, which include informational meetings, service events, a social event and the initiation ceremony and dinner. At the end of their college experience, active members can wear a Tau Beta Pi stole at commencement.

“Members of Tau Beta Pi have access to a variety of resources and networking opportunities,” said Sidney Moss, Vice President of Tau Beta Pi. “Students should join for these networking opportunities and the privilege to add Tau Beta Pi as an organization on their resume.”

Moss and Harmon shared that the volunteering events organized by Tau Beta Pi create lasting memories and connections with members of the organization and the broader Columbia community.

“My favorite memory from Tau Beta Pi is volunteering at the Interfaith Garden,” Moss said. “The Interfaith Garden produces and donates organic produce to the local food bank.”

Harmon agreed.

“My favorite part of being involved in Tau Beta Pi has been giving back to the community through our service events,” she said, “along with developing my leadership skills while serving on the executive council for two years and forming relationships with other students in the college. Being a part of this organization has truly impacted my time at Mizzou and furthered my development as an engineer in ways I did not expect when initiated in the spring of 2021.”

Eligible students receive invitations to join Tau Beta Pi at the start of each semester.

“Please consider completing the initiation process if you receive an invitation,” Harmon said. “There are many benefits to joining, including recognition of academic accomplishments, leadership and professional development, career assistance and networking and financial assistance opportunities. These benefits are outlined in detail on the organization’s website. Additionally, it provides an opportunity for members to form relationships with students of other engineering disciplines within the college they may not otherwise interact with.”

Gain access to a network of high-achieving engineering professionals. Choose Mizzou Engineering!