Sigma Gamma Tau: Rating, Reviews and Requirements
What is the history of Sigma Gamma Tau?
Sigma Gamma Tau was founded on the campus of Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, on February 28, 1953, "to offer appropriate recognition to persons of superior scholarship, outstanding character, and professional achievement in the field of Aeronautical Engineering." The new society was formed by the merger of two existing societies, Tau Omega, founded in 1927 at the University of Oklahoma, and Gamma Alpha Rho, founded in 1945 at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
The name of the society was selected by combining the Greek letter Sigma, indicating sum, with Gamma and Tau from the initial letters of the parent organizations. Since its modest beginnings in 1953, the society has grown from 14 to about 50 collegiate chapters and from 1,900 to over 29,000 initiated members.
What are the requirements to be in Sigma Gamma Tau?
Distinguished scholarship or eminent professional attainment in Aerospace Engineering is the primary eligibility requirement for Sigma Gamma Tau. Undergraduate students enrolled in an accredited Aerospace curriculum must have completed at least five quarters or three semesters of work toward the bachelor's degree. Those in the upper one-third of the senior class, upper one-quarter of the junior class, or upper one-fifth of the sophomore class.
Graduate students must be in good academic standing and have met similar requirements. After the scholastic requisite is fulfilled, selection is then based on a high moral character and a strong interest in Aeronautics and/or Astronautics. By recognizing this group of young Aerospace engineers, Sigma Gamma Tau seeks to identify those from which the future advances in the profession are most likely to come.
Membership is also extended to those individuals in the Aerospace industry who have made significant contributions to the profession.
What are the key benefits of being a member of Sigma Gamma Tau?
As an honor society, Sigma Gamma Tau is primarily a service organization for Aerospace education. The student chapters participate in activities such as tutoring, hosting campus advisors, and serving on academic committees. Sigma Gamma Tau complements the work and goals of AIAA, the corresponding professional society in which most student activity is centered. Sigma Gamma Tau members traditionally are members of AIAA, and the two organizations frequently co-sponsor scientific, professional, and social activities.
In an effort to encourage ethical and professional betterment in the Aerospace field, nine regional awards of honor in the amount of $250 each are presented annually to outstanding undergraduate student members of Sigma Gamma Tau with an additional $750 awarded to the national winner. These honor awards reflect the society's emphasis on the pursuit and attainment of excellence.
Based on the information, here is our review:
Our first observation is: that this is the main honor society for students in the Aeronautical Engineering major, specifically.
Our second observation was: that this society was established in the 1950’s, making it relatively new compared to other honor societies but more established in the field of Aeronautical Engineering.
Our third observation was: that the GPA requirements to be in the society seem to loosen year after year, making it easier to become a member as time goes on.
