About Us

Tau Beta Pi is the National Engineering Honor Society founded in 1885 at Lehigh University by Edward Higginson Williams Jr. and is the second oldest honor society in the United States. The primary goal of Tau Beta Pi is to acknowledge the work done by students and members of the engineering community and their contributions to the growth of the engineering fields. The primary qualities sought by Tau Beta Pi are distinguished scholarship and exemplary character. Tau Bates around the world continue to foster a forward-thinking culture in the academic field and practice 'integrity and excellence in engineering' as is their creed.

There are now over 230 collegiate chapters across the United States which have initiated over 500,000 members. Representatives from each active chapter as well as the executive council from headquarters in Knoxville, Tennessee meet each fall at the National Convention for official business. The convention serves as a shareholders meeting to value the input of all members and improve the impact each chapter has on it's school and community.

The Tau Beta Pi Kappa chapter at the University of Rochester was founded in 1947. The UR chapter is currently active in both the school and local communities. Initiations are processed twice yearly during the fall and spring months. The members hold regular chapter meetings to organize business as well as performing community service, hosting corporate information sessions, holding social events, and providing other services to engineering students at UR.