Michigan Lambda Installed

Charter Presentation: Vice President Ellen D. Styles, Emily C. Klingenfus, Dr. Charles R. Standridge, and Dr. Paul D. Plotkowski (left to right).

The Michigan Lambda Chapter of Tau Beta Pi was installed at Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, MI, on March 27, 2004. Vice President Ellen D. Styles was official installing deputy of the Society’s 235th collegiate chapter, assisted by Executive Director James D. Froula, P.E., and District 7 Directors Barry Frost II and Curtis Gomulinski.

The 2003 Convention granted a chapter to the local engineering honor society, represented at the national meeting by students David A. Wassilak and Dawn J. Witherell and by Dr. Charles R. Standridge, MO G ’75.

The Teleconference Auditorium of the Eberhard Center on the Grand Rapids campus was the site of the formal ceremonies of initiation and chapter installation, witnessed by 55 attendees of the District 7 Conference. The initiation team comprised: Dr. Standridge; Dr. Paul D. Plotkowski, MI Theta ’80; Kathy L. Elias, OH G ’04; Andrew E. Toy, MI I ’95; Johnathan Wade, OH E ’03; and the four national officers listed above. One eminent engineer, 17 alumni, and 18 students comprised Michigan Lambda’s charter members.

Immediately after the formal initiation, the new members were constituted a new chapter in the ceremony of installation conducted by Vice President Styles. The ceremony included the formal election and installation of the chapter’s charter officers and advisors.

Mr. Wassilak served as master of ceremonies and welcomed all initiates, visitors, friends, and family members. 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.

Ms. Styles 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. Mr. Frost congratulated the new members, acknowledged their enthusiasm, and welcomed Michigan Lambda into District 7.

Dr. John A. Gracki, GVSU associate vice president for academic affairs, said that the new chapter of Tau Beta Pi is an important addition as the school grows into a college of engineering and computing this summer. Dr. Plotkowski, director of the school of engineering, stated that his school has grown into an outstanding school that is just what the community wants, welcomed the charter members, and said that the establishment of Michigan Lambda is a major step in the soon-to-be new college.

Dr. Standridge, Chief Advisor, spoke of the leadership qualities of the alumnus members of Michigan Lambda and of his appreciation for the efforts and maturity of the chapter leaders and members. Finally, Mr. Wassilak and Mr. Froula led an enthusiastic Tau Beta Pi yell.