Who We Are, What We Do

Tau Beta Pi was founded at Lehigh University in 1885 by Dr. Edward Higginson Williams, Jr., “to mark in a fitting manner those who have conferred honor upon their Alma Mater by distinguished scholarship and exemplary character as undergraduates in engineering, or by their attainments as alumni in the field of engineering, and to foster a spirit of liberal culture in engineering colleges.” Currently, Tau Beta Pi National is composed of 232 active Chapters and has initiated 490,480 members around the country.

The California Gamma chapter of Tau Beta Pi at Stanford University serves the Stanford community through the provision of important engineering resources. For example, there is the online Engineering Course Guide, that was recently merged with the ASSU courseguide, which provides useful information about engineering classes at Stanford. Tutoring services, conducted regularly at the Engineering Consulting Center (Terman 151), help increase understanding and interest in science, mathematics and engineering. The recently launched Engineering E-Advising program, helps to answer questions students have about majors, careers and research in the engineering field. Members also help select the recipient of the Tau Beta Pi Teaching Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Engineering Teaching, organize engineering panels, industry banquets, field days with children and more.

Benefits of Joining

1. Academic Distinction

Being part of Tau Beta Pi places you in the top 1/5 of engineering seniors and top 1/8 of engineering juniors at Stanford University (the closest thing that Stanford has to a Dean’s List). This honor is recognized across the country in both academic and professional institutions.

2. Community of Excellence

Tau Beta Pi is the only organization on campus that is privileged to have a distinguished community of scholars from multiple engineering disciplines. We focus our community by putting members in touch with high-profile members of the industry who are interested in intelligent students with a technical background. It is a great way to meet and network with high-caliber and high-profile people.

3. Fellowships and Scholarships

Tau Beta Pi offers many merit-based awards for members including a $10,000 graduate fellowship and a $2,000 senior-year scholarship to encourage technical excellence in engineering.

4. Completing the Engineering Experience

Tau Beta Pi at Stanford hosts many social, corporate, and service events exclusively for our members. These events are intended to add value to a Stanford engineer’s experience unlike any other organization on campus. Members have the opportunity not only to network with other outstanding engineers from various fields, but also to impart their knowledge and experience onto engineering underclassmen.