Idaho Beta Installed

Charter presentation (left to right): Executive Councillor Alison Hu, Anthony L. Crawford, Linda R. Stuffle, and Dr. Jay F. Kunze, dean of engineering.

The Idaho Beta chapter of Tau Beta Pi was installed at Idaho State University in Pocatello, ID, on January 17, 2004. Executive Councillor Alison L. Hu was official installing deputy of the Society's 234th collegiate chapter, assisted by Executive Director James D. Froula, P.E., and District 12 Director Wade A. Hull.

The 2003 Convention granted a chapter to Pi Beta Tau, local engineering honor society, represented at the national meeting by students Christy A. Chatterley and Anthony L. Crawford and by Linda R. Stuffle, P.E., MI B '71, and Dr. R. Eugene Stuffle.

The Heritage Room of the Student Union Building on the campus was the site of the formal ceremonies of initiation and chapter installation. The initiation team comprised: Ms. Stuffle; Dean Jay F. Kunze, P.E., PA G '54; Dr. C. Gordon Lewis, MI A '41; Dr. Mikle V. Ellis, UT B '83; Dr. Charles R. Tolle, UT A '90; and the three national officers listed above. Four eminent engineers and eight students comprised Idaho Beta's charter members. Also initiated for the Idaho Alpha Chapter was David C. Koelsch, member of Sigma Tau Fraternity's former Rho Chapter.

Immediately after the formal initiation, the new members were constituted a new chapter in the ceremony of installation conducted by Councillor Hu. The ceremony included the formal election and installation of the chapter's charter officers and advisors.

President Crawford served as master of ceremonies and before dinner welcomed all initiates, visitors, friends, and family members. Ms. Stuffle introduced every person at the banquet, and Dr. Stuffle presented the invocation. After dinner, Mr. Crawford remarked on his experiences at the October Convention and presented the charter to Dean Kunze. Dr. Kunze stated that this is a great day for ISU and his engineering college, which recently graduated its 1,000th B.S. engineering student. He thanked the Idaho Beta advisors for their efforts during the 10-year quest for a chapter and thanked the three visiting Tau Beta Pi national officers for their assistance.

Mr. Froula reviewed the history of the petitioning process and challenged the initiates to pursue excellence in all of their activities, to support the engineering profession, maintain impeccable ethics, and serve their alma mater and fellow students. Mr. Hull congratulated the new members, acknowledged their enthusiasm, and welcomed Idaho Beta into District 12. Councillor Hu greeted the charter members, requested their suggestions to the Executive Council, and encouraged their participation in the District conference and in other Tau Beta Pi programs.