Campbell University and the School of Engineering have been approved to launch a chapter of Tau Beta Pi, the prestigious international engineering honor society representing all engineering disciplines. Campbell’s chapter, to be designated as the North Carolina Theta Chapter, will hold its inaugural induction ceremony this spring.
Founded in 1885 at Lehigh University, Tau Beta Pi currently has 257 active college chapters. The organization did a campus visit in January of last year to consider Campbell’s request to join. Executive Director Curt Gomulinski said the society is “thrilled” to welcome Campbell to its ranks.
“The inspection team that visited Campbell earlier this year was thoroughly impressed with the facilities available to Campbell engineering students and the close community environment fostered by the faculty and administration,” Gomulinski said. “Likewise, our Petitions Committee and the Convention body overwhelmingly voted to grant a chapter to Campbell University after a detailed presentation to both groups.”
“[Engineering student] Sarah Cribb and [Associate Professor] Dr. [Alison] Polasik represented the university well, and Tau Beta Pi was delighted to be able to initiate Sarah as the first member of the North Carolina Chapter during our model initiation at the Convention. We look forward to the installation of Tau Beta Pi’s 259th active chapter in 2026.”
Campbell’s initiation has been set for this spring — with all current eligible students and alumni from the School’s own engineering honor society invited to participate. Tau Beta Pi’s mission is to provide leadership and professional development training for engineering students and alumni, recognize those who confer honor on their alma mater through distinguished scholarship and exemplary character and promote lifelong alumni member involvement and cultivating a community of “dedicated high achievers.”
The School of Engineering at Campbell enrolled its first students in 2016 and has developed a unique hands-on, project-based curriculum for an ABET-accredited engineering degree in four concentration areas: chemical/pharmaceutical, electrical, mechanical and electromechanical systems engineering.
“We are just thrilled to have been granted a Tau Beta Pi chapter here at Campbell,” Founding Dean Dr. Jenna Carpenter said. “It allows us to grant lifelong national recognition to our top students. Moreover, Tau Beta Pi membership provides them with access to a wonderful array of professional development and mentoring opportunities, as well as the ability to apply for scholarships.”
