UL Lafayette Sigma Alpha

Dr. P. A. Chieri, head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at U.S.L., along with several other staff members and student leaders became interested in forming a group to petition Pi Tau Sigma for a chapter on their campus. Weldon F. Heath was elected as the student president of the petitioning group. The petition was voted on favorably by the National Council and was ratified during the spring of 1961 by the active chapters. National Secretary-Treasurer J. W. Bayne with the aid of Professor A. H. Repscha installed the chapter on May 13, 1961.

In the fine tradition of Pi Tau Sigma chapters all over the country, the U.S.L. Sigma Alpha chapter plans to develop projects that will be of a definite aid to their department of Mechanical Engineering.

In the fall of 2014, USL Alpha Sigma was renamed UL Lafayette Alpha Sigma.

ANNUAL SUMMARY REPORTS

2023-2024, Andrew Gironda, President

Throughout this academic school year, the Sigma Alpha chapter of Pi Tau Sigma was able to host a variety of events and fundraisers. The Fall semester included a “Pi-A-Professor” during the Fall Festival at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, energy drink fundraisers, and the start of a compressor visual restoration project. Five students were inducted during this semester. The Spring semester followed up with multiple energy drink fundraisers, where the proceeds go towards travel funds for national convention. The compressor restoration project continued, with help from ULL’s Tau Beta Pi chapter. This semester’s initiation had 11 students initiated, which was the new initiation count record post-Covid quarantine. Bi-semester meetings were introduced and held, informing the club on updates and planned events.

2022-2023, Jude Thibodeaux, President

This year, the Sigma Alpha chapter inducted its largest group in many years. Additionally, the chapter partnered with the university’s American Society of Mechanical Engineers. This partnership provided members of the Sigma Alpha chapter with the opportunity to attend speakers organized by ASME. Additionally, many inductees to the chapter made connections that allowed them to join many organizations and clubs. For the first time in a few years, the Sigma Alpha chapter was able to attend the national PTS convention. Two members attended and competed in activities at the convention making connections along the way. Finally, new fundraising and volunteer activities were planned for next year allowing members better perks to boost new membership rates in the future.

2021-2022, Emily Danos, President

Due to the COVID-19 restrictions in place over the past year, we were not able to take part in any activities. With the COVID-19 restrictions being uplifted recently, we hope to engage in organizational activites soon.