Founded 1953
Purdue University Scope National Chapters 54 | Type Honorary Colors Red and White | |
Chartered February 28, 1953 at Purdue University | ||
Sigma Gamma Tau (ΣΓΤ) is the American honor society in 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.
Contents
- History
- Chapters
- Northeastern
- Mid Atlantic
- Southeastern
- South Central
- Great Lakes
- North Central
- Southwestern
- Western
- Southern Pacific
- National headquarters
- National officers
- National convention
- References
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.
Chapters
Since its modest beginnings in 1953, the society has grown from 14 to 54 collegiate chapters and from 1,900 to 23,000+ initiated members in 9 regions:
Northeastern
Mid-Atlantic
Southeastern
South Central
Great Lakes
North Central
Southwestern
Western
Southern Pacific
National headquarters
The national headquarters of Sigma Gamma Tau is located at the Aerospace Engineering Department of Wichita State University.
National officers
National convention
SGT National Convention has been held every three years since 1953 (except for the years between 1956 and 1964). The most recent convention was held in conjunction with the AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting at Orlando, Florida in January 2015.