Manhattan Sigma Tau

The most recent addition to Pi Tau Sigma, the Manhattan Sigma Tau Chapter, was installed on September 12, 1969. Its predecessor, a student society. designated Mu Epsilon, was founded in 1962 to "foster the ideals of the engineering profession, to aid in the development of the Mechanical Engineering Dept., and to instill in its members a sense of responsibility and leadership." In 1968 the formal petitioning of Pi Tau Sigma for membership was undertaken. Approval late in 1968-1969 academic year determined the aforementioned installation date.

Projected chapter activities include sponsoring problem periods in Junior mechanical engineering courses, organizing (jointly with ASME) a Professional Engineering Day', and conducting Campus Day open house. Traditional activities, such as Sophomore orientation sessions, pledge periods, smokers and initiation banquets, will continue to be a part of the chapter schedule.

The overall aim of the Manhattan Sigma Tau Chapter is character development through departmental service.

ANNUAL SUMMARY REPORTS

2022-2023, Nolan Kelly - President

This year 10 new members were inducted to the Manhattan Sigma Tau chapter. The induction ceremony was held on November 28th, 2022 in the Research and Learning Center at Manhattan College. The ceremony was run by the six board members with the oversight of the chapter advisor, Dr. Baroudi. Upon initiation, the students recited the Greek alphabet in order as a fun activity and ice breaker. Shortly after there was a reception where food was provided. New and current members got to chat, network, and get to know each other. This year the Sigma Tau chapter volunteered both around the school and within the mechanical engineering department itself. Members volunteered for open house, engineering awareness days, and accepted students days for Manhattan College. At all of these events, students would speak with prospective students and their parents about Manhattan College and their experiences going here. Additionally, they would give more insight into what mechanical engineering actually is and what type of coursework you would be taking if they chose mechanical engineering as their major. Finally, they would take groups of students and parents on tours around the college, which included showing the different mechanical engineering laboratories (Manufacturing, Thermal Fluids, etc.). Another main area of volunteering was peer tutoring specifically within the mechanical engineering department at Manhattan College. Each member of the chapter would offer one hour per week as their designated tutoring time slot. A schedule was made and sent out to the rest of the department so that any student seeking extra help in any courses could contact one of the tutors so they could meet. This was specifically geared toward mechanical engineering students since Pi Tau Sigma is the honor society for it. This way if any underclass needed assistance in specifically mechanical engineering courses they would have a resource they can go to. Overall, the tutoring was a success with many students reaching out to the members
of the Sigma Tau chapter for help. The chapter looks to continue and build upon this program going into the future.

2020 – 2021 Nicholas Impieri, President

The Manhattan Sigma Tau chapter has initiated 18 new members this academic year. The new members have been selected based on their academic achievements and chosen based on their integrity, service, and leadership. Prior to initiation, each new pledge was carefully vetted based upon their extracurricular activities and ethical principles. During initiation, the pledges were required to recite the Greek alphabet in order from each pledge (alphabetically by last name). If there was an error in the order, the pledges had to restart the alphabet from the beginning. After the alphabet, the pledges partook in the “Thermo Song”. This is a fun and short song to lift the spirits of the new pledges. Next, they were inducted into Pi Tau Sigma. After initiation the new members had the opportunity to network and ask questions with the current members and the chapter advisor.

Pi Tau Sigma members volunteered their time for Manhattan College’s online open houses and accepted students day events. This was a time were all the departments of Manhattan College came together and set up online booths/presentations displaying what their department had to offer to prospective students. The mechanical engineering presentation room displayed the current research projects, presentations, and posters of the Pi Tau Sigma members attending. They engaged in conversations prospective students about their experience as a mechanical engineering student at Manhattan College.

The main form of volunteering for the members this year especially was tutoring. With the vigor of the mechanical engineering curriculum, it is important to help all students who need it to succeed in their classes. The chapter email was posted for students to reach out for extra assistance with their course work. This academic year, emails were received from 10 students looking for tutoring and each was matched with a tutor. The subjects tutored this year were statics, dynamics, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, solid mechanics, numerical analysis, heat transfer, and mechatronics. If students asked to be tutored in a subject we couldn’t do we referred them to the extremely capable Center for Academic Success on campus (our on campus tutoring center).

The executive board was happy to see many members working and interacting virtually this year despite any hardship.  We look forward to the future of the community and wish it luck.

2019 – 2020 Dulce Ruiz, President

The Manhattan Sigma Tau chapter initiated 24 new members this academic year. The new members have been selected eligibility on their academic achievement and chosen based on their integrity, service, and leadership. Prior to initiation, each new candidate is vetted on their extracurricular activities and ethical principles through an interview process with the executive board. During initiation, the pledges had to recite the Greek alphabet in order. If there was an error, then the pledges had to restart the alphabet. After the alphabet, the pledges took part in the “Pi Tau Sigma Thermo Song.” These are fun activities to bring joy to our pledges during a serious ceremony. During the fall initiation, the leather book was signed, and the new members were inducted to Pi Tau Sigma. However, during the spring initiation, a virtual document was signed to be put into the leather book at the return to campus. After initiation new members are given the opportunity to network with current members, chapter advisor, and the faculty.

Pi Tau Sigma members volunteered their time for Manhattan College’s Engineering Awareness Day. This is a time where high school students come to Manhattan College to be exposed to the engineering disciplines. Our members will go and promote the Mechanical Engineering Department. This allows prospective students to speak to peers about future decisions, and possibly create a network for future job mobility. These members give tours to the engineering computer and experimental laboratories as well as classrooms. Members also gave similar tours to prospective students during the college’s Open House. During Manhattan College’s Open House booths were set up to display what each department in Manhattan College has to offer. The mechanical engineering booth displayed research projects, presentations, and posters. Pi Taus are able to speak to parents as well as students about their experience at Manhattan College as well as in the Mechanical Engineering Department. Members can display projects they are also working on, which allows for growth in public speaking.

The major source of volunteering in the engineering community is through tutoring. Since the mechanical engineering curriculum is very vigorous, we hope to help our fellow students for this extra assistance with their course work. All members are required to list the subject they are comfortable tutoring in. The Manhattan Sigma Tau chapter’s email is posted around the Mechanical Engineering Department for all students to use. Professors are also advised to send students to speak with members of Pi Tau Sigma for help in classes. The subjects tutored this year were dynamics, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, manufacturing, mechatronics, numerical analysis, solid mechanics, and statics. Students are advised to email the chapter’s account where the vice president will pair them with a tutor. The students are advised to schedule meetings with their tutor as they feel necessary. Therefore, no students were left behind.

Last year’s main goal was to set up a network with Manhattan Sigma Tau Alumni. Progress was made with communication between the chapter and alumni department at Manhattan College. A mentor program has not been set up due to a busy year. However, the goal is to have this program running next year. This will allow students to turn their education from the classroom to real-world applications. This will allow them to grow their network to have strong job opportunities by the time they graduate.

2018 – 2019 Alessandra Palmisano, President

The Manhattan Sigma Tau chapter has initiated 26 new members this academic year. The new members have been selected based on their academic achievements and chosen based on their integrity, service, and leadership. Prior to initiation, each new pledge was interviewed and vetted on their extracurricular activities and ethical principles. During initiation, the pledges had to recite the Greek alphabet in order from each pledge. If there was an error in the order, the pledges had to restart the alphabet. After the alphabet, the pledges partook in the “Thermo Song”. This is a fun song to lift the spirits of the new pledges. Next, the ledger was signed, and the new members were inducted into Pi Tau Sigma. After initiation food and beverages were provided and the new members had the opportunity to network with the current members and the chapter advisor.

Pi Tau Sigma members volunteered their time for Manhattan College’s Open House. This was a time were all the departments of Manhattan College came together and set up booths displaying what their department had to offer to prospective students. The mechanical engineering booth displayed research projects, presentations, and posters. Pi Taus were engaging in conversations with parents and prospective students about their experience as a mechanical engineering student at Manhattan College. Some members volunteered by participating in campus tours for Engineering Awareness Day. The members took potential students on tours of the engineering computer labs and experimental laboratories to learn about engineering classes offered at Manhattan College. The members also gave similar tours for Accepted Students Day where accepted students were given tours to lead them to choose Manhattan College as the college to lead them on their professional path.

The main form of volunteering for the members was tutoring. With the vigorous mechanical engineering curriculum, it is important to help all students who need it to pass their classes. The chapter email was posted for students to reach out for extra assistance with their course work. This academic year, emails were received from 25 students looking for tutoring and each was matched with a tutor. The subjects tutored this year were statics, dynamics, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, solid mechanics, numerical analysis, heat transfer, mechatronics, and manufacturing. All students seeking help in any subject was matched so no student was left behind.

A major goal of Manhattan Sigma Tau is to network and make connections with Manhattan Sigma Tau Alumni. The chapter and the alumni department at Manhattan College are working closely to maintain relationships between Manhattan Sigma Tau and alumni. The goal for next year is to hopefully start a form of mentor program between the alumni and Sigma Tau’s current members. This can allow the members to be paired up with someone in the branch of mechanical engineering that they are interested in, such as energy, aerospace or HVAC. This can hopefully lead to the success of our members so that they can see the real world applications of the classes they are currently taking.