Virginia Epsilon Installed As 233rd Chapter

     THE VIRGINIA EPSILON CHAPTER of Tau Beta Pi was installed at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA, on March 1, 2003. President Matthew W. Ohland was official installing deputy of the Society's 233rd collegiate chapter, assisted by Executive Director James D. Froula, P.E., and District 4 Director Russell L. Werneth.
The 2002 Convention granted a chapter to Tau Beta Phi, local engineering honor society, represented at the national meeting by student Jacob H. Leach and
Dr. Gary C. Tepper, PA B '87.

The Auditorium of the Engineering Building on the campus was the site of the formal ceremonies of initiation and chapter installation. The initiation team comprised: Dean Robert J. Mattauch, VA D '62; Dr. Tepper; J.P. Blackford, DC G '95; Nicholas A. LaGarde, DC G '03; Sarah J. Sladic, DC G '03; and the three national officers listed above. Seventeen alumni and 26 students comprised Virginia Epsilon's charter members. Witnesses present included F. Frank Ameri, RI B '78, P.E.; Christine S. Earle, DC A '03; Dr. Robert R. Efimba, MA b '63; Rosemary M. Fritz, VA G '03; Andrew J. Ricketts, DC A '03; and B.ReedH. Winslow, MA B'54.

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

President Leach served as master of ceremonies and introduced the national officers. 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. Dr. Ohland congratulated the charter members and encouraged the engineering college to maintain its unique features.

Dean Mattauch officially dedicated the new unmounted four-foot Bent, recognized the assistance of Mr. Ameri and William Lamp of Engineers Plus in purchasing it, and Dr. Ohland explained the symbolism of the monument.

Mr. Leach and Dr. Mattauch presented membership certificates to the initiates. Mr. Werneth congratulated the new members, recognized the support of the dean and faculty, welcomed the new chapter into District 4, and introduced the representatives of the nearby collegiate chapters.

Finally, the installation banquet was held at the Engineering Building, where Edwin E. Blanks, vice provost for academic administration, also congratulated the initiates.