The University at Buffalo chapter of the National Society of Professional Engineers held its inaugural meeting Wednesday evening in Bonner Hall. The event marked the inception of the only collegiate chapter in Western New York.
John Frandina, president of the Erie-Niagara Chapter of NSPE, presented a "Member of Chapter" certificate to the officers of the new organization. The group received the alpha-level award, the highest level possible for a student chapter.
Both local professional NSPE members and newly initiated students were present for the ceremony.
"This represents what the school of engineering is all about," said Dean C. Millar, assistant dean for corporate relations in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, in his opening remarks. "That is a partnership between industry and, of course, developing students who are able to create value for you in industry."
Nagarajah Kannan, president and initiator of the UB chapter, explained the significance of his involvement with the NSPE. He said that he is a link to the engineering industry because he works in the industry and is also a student.
Kannan began planning UB's NSPE chapter in 2001, and he said he is pleased with the results of his efforts. The organization currently has close to 50 members, composed of both graduate and undergraduate engineering students.
Kannan said he feels that being affiliated with the organization will help produce qualified technical students that have business success skills. He said the NSPE will provide for contact between industry employers and students through seminars and workshops. There are also monthly publications available for members, as well as discounted driver insurance rates.
One of Kannan's plans for this year is a contest titled "Why Engineering?" where students will win prizes for designing posters that demonstrate how engineering is needed in every walk of life. He is also promoting the Oct. 19 "Break on Fatalities Day," which will be a day dedicated to promoting safe driving.
He said he wants the student chapter to produce students who can apply ethical principles to the workplace and everywhere else.
According to Kannan, NSPE students are encouraged to work toward an official engineering license. With this license, engineers are considered professionals. The license allows the student to sign contracts or run a private practice, and often leads to better job opportunities and higher pay.
The license gives those who own it a safeguard against losing jobs in the event of company layoffs, restructuring or consolidation, Kannan said.
There are reciprocal benefits for the university in having the NSPE chapter. If and when the number of students who take and pass the licensing exam increases, UB's rank as a successful engineering school also increases.
Kannan and the NSPE welcomed to the meeting Charles Nasca, president of the UB American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Nasca shared the progress of the UB ASME teams that have created human-powered vehicles and solar-powered boats to compete in contests around the nation.
Kannan said he invited Nasca to speak to facilitate interaction and support between student engineering groups and the NSPE.
According to professional NSPE members in attendance, students who are affiliated with the group with be a great advantage once they enter the work force.
"(Membership) will age your career considerably," said Ken King, former president of the Erie chapter of the NSPE.
For more information on the NSPE, visit www.nspe.org. Those interested in joining the UB chapter can contact Kannan at countour@froggernet.com.
Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki
