December 2, 2007

The Executive Council met in Knoxville, TN, on December 2, 2007.

The Council enthusiastically voted two Tau Beta Pi Resolutions of Appreciation for retiring advisors of the collegiate chapters.  

The 2007 Convention held in October in Dearborn, MI, was reviewed and judged to have been successful. The Council reviewed recommendations presented during the annual meeting and adjusted plans for the 2008 Convention to be held in Sacramento, CA, on October 23-25. In compliance with the 1981 Convention procedure for site choices, the invitation of Pennsylvania Alpha to host the 2010 meeting near Philadelphia was accepted. The Council established the 125th Anniversary Convention Committee and approved its charter.

 Vice President Solange C. Dao was appointed installing deputy for the March 8 installation of the California Alpha Delta Chapter at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Councillor Jonathan F.K. Earle was appointed installing deputy for the February 23 installation of the Ohio Xi Chapter at Miami University. The Council reviewed its new chapter policy stating that the initiative for petitions for Tau Beta Pi chapters rests with the schools.

Joseph R. Burnett, CA U ’04, was appointed as District 15 Director to a term ending in June 2010. District Director T.E. Schwaller was appointed to the District Program Planning Committee.

Appointments of  Ronald M. Hickling, Russell W. Pierce, and 15 District Directors were made to the four Regional Management Committees of the Tau Beta Pi National K-12 Math & Science Initiative. Scott V. Eckersall was appointed chair of the K-12 National Management Committee. Mr. Froula reported on his invitation by NASA and participation in its K-12 educational forum and witnessing of the Space Shuttle mission number STS-120 launch in Florida on October 22-23.

A schedule of Spring Conferences was reviewed, and assignments were made for national-officer representation at all 16 Districts. The Council reviewed arrangements for the June 8, 2008, meeting of national officials to be held in Charleston, SC.

The Council appointed chapter advisors Sarah C. Greenwood and Midge Hill as members of the Advisor Recruitment and Development Committee and assigned the management of invitations of advisors to Spring Conferences to that committee.

Dr. Domenico Grasso, P.E., MI G ’87, was appointed chair of and Dr. Joseph J. Helble, PA A ’82, was appointed to the National Outstanding Advisor Selection Committee. District Directors R.A. Holcomb, Dr. E.P. Gorzkowski III, and B.A. Kramer were appointed to the Laureate Selection Committee. District Directors T.A. Pinkham IV, J.E. Mitchell, and E.D. Styles were appointed to the Distinguished Alumnus Selection Committee and the McDonald Mentor Selection Committee.

Executive Director J.D. Froula reported on the status of the 2007 Alumnus Giving Program and the various information-technology improvements; his first-quarter financial report of the fiscal year had been sent to the Council and was accepted. He reported that GEICO had contributed $14,000 intended to fund seven new ΤΒΠ-GEICO Scholarships in 2008.

The Council noted a bequest of $2,500 received from Andrew P. Heymann Sr., FL A ’39, and approved naming a Tau Beta Pi-Heymann Scholar in 2008. The Council noted a pending annuity distribution of $25,000 from Charles E. Banner, OH G ’47, intended for the Tau Beta Pi Scholarship Fund. The Council approved naming a Tau Beta Pi-Lawrence C. Lynnworth Fellowship for 2008 in recognition of a generous gift. The Council established the Shawn R. Schwaller Scholarship Fund and approved the naming of Tau Beta Pi-Schwaller Scholar No. 1 in 2008. The Council reviewed and discussed policies and practices for the Fellowship and Scholarship Programs.

President L.A. Simonson reported on his visits with alumni in several states on behalf of the Tau Beta Pi Financial Development Committee. Council discussed the qualifications of potential candidates to the 2008-09 Financial Review Committee. Councillor J.A. Huggins reviewed a tracking document and the status of progress on actions underway to achieve the Council’s strategic goals.

The Council reviewed a presentation of a preliminary version of the new Tau Beta Pi Chapter CD/ROM. The Council received a report from Director of Rituals E.J. D’Avignon on a proposal to update existing initiation kits and requested more information.