Sigma Gamma Tau

Sigma Gamma Tau
Sigma Gamma Tau
ΣΓΤ
Founded	February 28, 1953; 71 years ago; Purdue University
Type	Honor
Affiliation	Independent
Former affiliation	ACHS
Status	Active
Emphasis	Aerospace Engineering
Scope	National
Colors	Red and White
Chapters	40 active
Members	30,000+ lifetime
Headquarters	Sigma Gamma Tau, c/o Department of Aerospace Engineering,; Wichita State University; Wichita, Kansas 67260-0042; United States
Website	www.sgtnational.org

Sigma Gamma Tau (ΣΓΤ) is the American honor society in aerospace engineering. The society formed from the merger of Tau Omega and Gamma Alpha Rho in 1953. It has chartered more than fifty chapters in the United States.

History

Sigma Gamma Tau was founded on the campus of Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, on February 28, 1953.^[1] The new society was formed by the merger of two existing aeronautical honor societies, Tau Omega, and Gamma Alpha Rho.^[1]^[2] Tau Omega was established in 1927 at the University of Oklahoma.^[1] Gamma Alpha Rho was founded in 1945 at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.^[1]

Sigma Gamma Tauwas created to recognize academic and professional achievement in the field of aeronautical engineering and to foster ethics and professional practices within the field.^[3] With the merger of the two societies, it started with fourteen chapters,^[2] representing 1,900 initiates. The society was incorporated in Oklahoma.^[3] It held its first national convention in 1953.^[3] Conventions are held every three years, often in conjunction with the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics's Science and Technology Forum. Officers are elected at the convention, including the national president, national first vice-president, national second vice-president, and the national secretary-treasurer.^[3]

Gamma Sigma Tau joined the Association of College Honor Societies on February 27, 1965 but has since left that organization.^[4] By June 1966, it had nineteen chapters with 2,300 members.^[5]

Gamma Sigma Tau has chartered 54 collegiate chapters and has initiated more than 30,000 members.^[6] Its activities include a mentorship program, test reviews, tutoring, and social events.^[7]^[8]

Sigma Gamma Tau's national headquarters is located at the Aerospace Engineering Department of Wichita State University.

Symbols

The name of Sigma Gamma Tau was selected by combining the Greek letter Sigma, indicating sum, with Gamma to and Tau from the initial letters of the predecessor organizations, Gamma Alpha Rho and Tau Omega.^[1]

The society's insignia is a key with the Greek letters ΣΓΤ.^[3]Its colors are red and white.

Membership

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.

Chapters

Sigma Gamma Tau has chartered 54 chapters and has 40 active chapters as of 2024.^[9]^[3]

Notable members

Robert J. Cenker, astronaut and engineer
Roger B. Chaffee, astronaut and pilot
Julie Wertz Chen, aerospace engineer
Robert Crippen, astronaut
Brian Gyetko, professional tennis player
Fred Haise, astronaut
Gregory J. Harbaugh, astronaut and engineer
Monroe W. Hatch Jr., United States Air Force general
Edgar Mitchell, astronaut and lunar explorer
Steven R. Nagel, test pilot, astronaut, and engineer
David Scott, astronaut and lunar explorer
Diana Trujillo, aerospace engineer

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e "Purdue Sigma Gamma Tau". Purdue University. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
^ ^a ^b "Wichita K.U. Student Helps Form Fraternity". The Wichita Eagle. March 8, 1953. p. 12. Retrieved January 10, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Robson, John, ed. (1963). Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities (17th ed.). Menasha, Wisconsin: The Collegiate Press, George Banta Company, Inc. p. 697.
^ University of Texas - Cactus Yearbook 1968 p 302
^ "Local Boy in Honor Society, is Rising MIT Senior". The Press and Standard. Walterboro, South Carolina. June 23, 1966. p. 2. Retrieved January 10, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Home". Sigma Gamma Tau National. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
^ "Sigma Gamma Tau | Get Involved". Texas A&M University. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
^ "Sigma Gamma Tau | Department of Aerospace Engineering". University of Maryland. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
^ "SGT Chapters". Sigma Gamma Tau National. Retrieved January 10, 2025.