Tau Gamma Chapter of Theta Tau Professional Engineering Fraternity

A Legacy of Service and a Commitment to Innovation.

GENERAL HISTORY

Theta Tau was founded as the "Society of Hammer and Tongs," on October 15, 1904, by Erich J. Schrader, Elwin L. Vinal, William M. Lewis, and Isaac B. Hanks, mining engineering students at the University of Minnesota. In 1911, representatives of the first three chapters and the alumni association met at the University of Minnesota for the first national Convention. Here, the name was changed to Theta Tau, a revised Ritual approved and the present badge adopted. Perhaps most important for its future expansion, it was decided that Theta Tau would include all branches of engineering. As of 2004, about 30,000 members have been initiated with 41 active student chapters.

LOCAL HISTORY

Theta Tau Sigma was started in December 2005. In its first active semester of Spring 2006, a board of ten dedicated members was established. The constitution was written and a petition for Theta Tau SigmaÍs colony status was drafted. Its first event coincided with National Engineers Week (E-Week, as it is celebrated at Penn) and marked a successful beginning of the Fraternity. Throughout the semester, in addition to their social gatherings and involvement in other extra-curricular activities, the new board worked to organize future activities that would define Theta Tau Sigma as the professional engineering fraternity of the University of Pennsylvania.

In May 2006, Theta Tau Sigma was officially recognized by the Engineering Student Activities Council. Within the next few months, Theta Tau Sigma's request for Colony status was approved by the Central office. Thus, the 'Sigma' that once denoted the Fraternity's status as a local fraternity was dropped from the name. We are now the University of Pennsylvania Colony of Theta Tau.

On November 11th, 2006 the Theta Tau Colony achieved official colony status at its colony certification ceremony at the Sheraton in Philadelphia, PA. All members present became official Theta Tau brothers for life after a ceremony presided by regional and national directors and members.

CHAPTER HISTORY

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