Pi Epsilon Tau
Honor society
LettersΠΕΤ
CrestThe crest of Pi Epsilon Tau.png
Founded1947 (age 79)
BirthplaceUniversity of Oklahoma
AffiliationIndependent
ScopeNational
StatusActive
EmphasisPetroleum engineering
ColorsBlack and Gold
FlowerRed rose
Patron saintSaint Patrick
Chapters20 active
CountryUnited States

Pi Epsilon Tau (ΠΕΤ) is an American honor society for petroleum engineering students. Its purpose is to maintain the standards and high ideals of the petroleum engineering profession and to build a bond between its members and the industry. The society was established in 1947 at the University of Oklahoma.

History

Faculty member Paul S. Johnson established Pi Epsilon Tau at the University of Oklahoma in November 1947 as an honor society for petroleum engineering students.[1][2][3] It was officially recognized by the university on January 7, 1948.[1] The honor society's purpose is to maintain the standards and high ideals of the petroleum engineering profession and to build a bond between its members and the industry.[4]

Pi Epsilon Tau's founders planned to expand it to other campuses, creating a national honor society.[1] Its Beta chapter was established at the University of Tulsa in 1948.[2] Gamma was formed at Texas Tech University in 1949.[2] Other chapters were established at colleges across the United States.[5]

It is governed through a national council of five members and a national convention.[6]

Symbols

The emblem or key of Pi Epsilon Tau is shaped like an oil derrick, standing on the base of an isosceles triangle.[6][2] Its flag features the emblem on top of a three-leaf clover that symbolizes Saint Patrick.[6]

The society's colors are black and gold.[6] Its flower is the red rose.[6] Its pledges are called "roustabouts".[2]

Membership

Membership in Pi Epsilon Tau is open to juniors, seniors, and graduate students studying petroleum engineering based on academic achievement, leadership, and sociability.[7][8][1] Pi Epsilon Tau has three classes of members: active (students), honorary, and alumnus.[6]

Chapters

Following are the chapters of Pi Epsilon Tau, with active chapters indicated in bold and inactive chapters in italics.[5][9]

ChapterCharter dateInstitutionLocationStatus
Alpha1947University of OklahomaNorman, OklahomaActive[7][10]
Beta1948University of TulsaTulsa, OklahomaActive[2]
Gamma1949Whitacre College of Engineering, Texas Tech UniversityLubbock, TexasActive[8][2]
DeltaLouisiana State UniversityBaton Rouge, LouisianaActive[11]
EpsilonUniversity of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles, CaliforniaInactive
Zeta1951Marietta CollegeMarietta, OhioActive[4]
EtaUniversity of California, BerkeleyBerkeley, CaliforniaActive
ThetaPennsylvania State UniversityState College, PennsylvaniaActive
IotaLouisiana Tech UniversityRuston, LouisianaActive
Kappa1970University of Texas at AustinAustin, TexasActive[7][12][a]
LambdaWest Virginia UniversityMorgantown, West VirginiaActive[13]
MuMissouri University of Science and TechnologyRolla, MissouriActive
NuMississippi State UniversityMississippi State, MississippiActive
XiMontana Technological UniversityButte, MontanaActive
OmicronTexas A&M UniversityCollege Station, TexasActive[14]
PiNew Mexico Institute of Mining and TechnologySocorro, New MexicoInactive
RhoUniversity of Louisiana at LafayetteLafayette, LouisianaActive[15]
SigmaUniversity of WyomingLaramie, WyomingActive[16]
TauColorado School of MinesGolden, ColoradoActive[17]
UpsilonTexas A&M University–KingsvilleKingsville, TexasActive
PhiUniversity of HoustonHouston, TexasActive[18]
  1. ^ Chapter was established in 1961.

References

  1. ^ "Petroleum Fraternity Seeks National Rank". The Oklahoma Daily. Norman, Oklahoma. 1948-03-11. p. 22. – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ "National Fraternity Chapter Will Be Established at Tech". Lubbock Evening Journal. 1949-11-02. p. 19.– via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ Petroski, Henry (2011-10-10). An Engineer's Alphabet: Gleanings from the Softer Side of a Profession. Cambridge University Press. p. 145. ISBN 978-1-139-50530-7.
  4. ^ "Pi Epsilon Tau (Petroleum Engineering)". Marietta College. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
  5. ^ "About". Pi Epsilon Tau A&M. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
  6. ^ "Pi Epsilon Tau - The Honor Society of Petroleum Engineering National Constitution and By Laws". University of Texas at Austin Horns Link. October 23, 1995. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
  7. ^ "About PET". Pi Epsilon Tau at UT. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
  8. ^ "Student News & Organizations | Edward E. Whitacre Jr. College of Engineering". Texas Tech University. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
  9. ^ "Community". Pi Epsilon Tau at UT. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
  10. ^ "MPGE Student Organizations". University of Oklahoma. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
  11. ^ "Student Organizations | Craft & Hawkins Department of Petroleum Engineering". Louisiana State University. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
  12. ^ "Pi Epsilon Tau - Petroleum Engineering Honor Society | Horns Link". University of Texas. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
  13. ^ "Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering | Student Life". West Virginia University. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
  14. ^ "Student Organizations | Harold Vance Department of Petroleum Engineering". Texas A&M University. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
  15. ^ "Student Chapters | Department of Petroleum Engineering". University of Louisiana at Lafayette. 2014-06-03. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
  16. ^ "Student Professional Societies". UWYO Department of Energy & Petroleum Engineering. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
  17. ^ McDonald, Rachel (2023-08-16). "Fall 2023 Student Organization Officers". Petroleum Engineering Department, Colorado School of Mines. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
  18. ^ "Student Organizations | UH Department of Petroleum Engineering". University of Houston. Retrieved 2024-10-19.