Sigma Gamma Tau is the honor society for Aerospace Engineering. It seeks
to identify and recognize achievement and excellence in the Aerospace field.
Sigma Gamma Tau's collegiate chapters elect annually to membership those
students, alumni, and professionals who, by conscientious attention to
their studies or professional duties, uphold this high standard for the
betterment of their profession.
Purpose
The objectives of Sigma Gamma Tau, as stated in the preamble of the
Society's national constitution, are: "to recognize and honor those individuals
in the field of Aeronautics and Astronautics who have, through scholarship,
integrity, and outstanding achievement, been a credit to their profession.
The society seeks to foster a high standard of ethics and professional
practice and create a spirit of loyalty and fellowship, particularly among
students of Aerospace Engineering."
History
Sigma Gamma Tau was founded on the campus of Purdue University in West
Lafayette, Indiana, on February 28, 1953, "to offer appropriate recognition
to persons of superior scholarship, outstanding character, and professional
achievement in the field of Aeronautical Engineering." The new society
was formed by the merger of two existing societies, Tau Omega, founded
in 1927 at the University of Oklahoma, and Gamma Alpha Rho, founded in
1945 at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. The name of the society
was selected by combining the Greek letter Sigma, indicating sum, with
Gamma and Tau from the initial letters of the parent organizations. Since
its modest beginnings in 1953, the society has grown from 14 to 50 collegiate
chapters and from 1,900 to 14,864 initiated members.
Membership
Distinguished scholarship or eminent professional attainment in Aerospace
Engineering is the primary eligibility requirement for Sigma Gamma Tau.
Undergraduate students enrolled in an accredited Aerospace curriculum must
have completed at least five quarters or three semesters of work toward
the bachelor's degree. Those in the upper one-third of the senior class,
upper one-quarter of the junior class, or upper one-fifth of the sophomore
class with grade averages equivalent to a B (85%) are eligible.
Graduate students must be in good academic standing and have met similar
requirements. After the scholastic requisite is fulfilled, selection is
then based on a high moral character and a strong interest in Aeronautics
and/or Astronautics. By recognizing this group of young Aerospace engineers,
Sigma Gamma Tau seeks to identify those from which the future advances
in the profession are most likely to come. Membership is also extended
to those individuals in the Aerospace industry who have made significant
contributions to the profession.
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