Indiana State University: Industrial Technology Education

Welcome to Epsilon Pi Tau - Mu Chapter (Founded May, 1934)
As the International Honorary for Professions in Technology, Epsilon Pi Tau serves members in more than 49 countries of the world who practice technology as executives in business and industry, as technicians, engineers, educators, and as leaders in many non-profit technology endeavors.
Purposes of Epsilon Pi Tau
The purposes of Epsilon Pi Tau are to:

promote and recognize the achievement of academic excellence.

promote the values and contributions of professionals in technology.

provide a medium for the professional development and recognition of individuals for leadership and achievement in the technology profession.

enhance the status of the practitioners in technology professions.

foster and encourage the acceptance among its members of the ideals of technical competence, social proficiency and research.

advance understanding, appreciation and awareness of technology as both an enduring and influential human endeavor and an integral element of culture.

In fulfilling the precepts of Epsilon Pi Tau, members strive to:

help others to achieve high levels of technological literacy;

improve their general understanding of technology as a cultural phenomenon;

improve their skills and competencies in a specific technology or in a related discipline;

improve themselves socially and professionally; and

engage in and support publication and research with the highest professional scholarly standards.

Philosophy and Symbolism

The philosophy of Epsilon Pi Tau is summarized by three precepts:

The first of these is Skill as it applies in the professions of technology.

The second is to promote Social and Professional Proficiency, not only in the more restricted contacts of the individual with others, but also in the broader relationships of the technology professions in the whole society.

The third is to foster and reward Research and to publish and circulate the results of scholarly endeavor.

These three concepts are expressed by the Greek words: TEXNIKH, PRAGMATEIA, and EXETASIS and are symbolized in the organization's emblem, an equilateral triangle.

The triangle ranks as one of the most important figures. It is the simplest figure that can be drawn with straight lines and without knowledge of the properties of the triangle, the science of geometry would have been impossible. At one time, the equilateral triangle was considered a sacred symbol. It was common in the Phoenician, Egyptian, Greek, and other ancient civilizations. Whenever an oath of importance was taken in the days of Pythagoras, it was administered on the equilateral triangle.

The unity in the constructive and stable qualities of TEXNIKH, PRAGMATEIA, and EXETASIS, the three concepts of Epsilon Pi Tau, is represented in this ancient symbol. It is emblematic of the philosophy of Epsilon Pi Tau as well as an insignia. Active members are eligible to purchase and wear this recognized and respected insignia of the honorary.

The Honorary's Colors

The colors of Epsilon Pi Tau are BLUE, WHITE, and GOLD. BLUE was chosen to represent skill - TEXNIKH. WHITE represents social and professional proficiency - PRAGMATEIA, and GOLD represents the paramount goal of Epsilon Pi Tau, the eternal search for truth - EXETASIS.

History of Epsilon Pi Tau

Epsilon Pi Tau, the International Honorary for Professions in Technology, it was conceived in 1928 at The Ohio State University as a Greek letter honorary fraternity to recognize leaders and potential leaders in Industrial Arts and Industrial Vocational Education. Dr. William E. Warner is recognized as the founder and served the function of Executive Secretary through its infancy and growth into an international organization.

As dynamic fields of technology continue to emerge and develop, Epsilon Pi Tau has expanded its role to honor deserving members in the professions in technology. Originally the Chapters were located on the campuses of Baccalaureate degree granting colleges and universities.

The contributions of the Associate Degree granting colleges to the professions in technology have also been recognized for many years and the Code of Epsilon Pi Tau provides for worthy members from these institutions to be initiated into the Honorary. In the 1995 revision of the Code a further provision was made to establish chapters on the campuses of Associate Degree granting colleges. Gamma Xi Chapter at North Dakota State College of Science is the first such chapter to be chartered by Epsilon Pi Tau. To date, a total of one hundred and eleven chapters have been chartered.

Further, in response to political, social and technological change, the Board of Directors established two additional vehicles for membership, primarily for practitioners. Consequently a segment of the organization's membership is served through vital and contributing Field Chapters which are usually not associated with colleges or universities; and another cohort is comprised of members-at-large who typically reside in the United States, Canada or in one of the other 40 countries of the world where chapters have not yet been established.

There have been only three Executive Secretaries in the history of the Honorary...and coincidentally, each was associated with an Ohio university when his service began. The first was the founder, Dr. William E. Warner who remained associated with The Ohio State University. The second was Dr. Delmar W. Olson of Kent State University in Ohio and then of North Carolina State University. He then continued his service in retirement from Casper, Wyoming. The third, Dr. Jerry Streichler established the International Office at Bowling Green State University where he served as a Dean and Professor. He continues as Executive Director from his San Diego home and maintains communications with the directors, Trustees, members and the International Office in Ohio via e-mail, telephone, fax and during visits connected with his professional travels. These distinguished leaders have contributed much to the stabilization, growth and development of the Honorary. The Honorary's archives have been officially accepted and are maintained by the Center for Archival Collections of the William T. Jerome Library at Bowling Green State University. They contain a wealth of significant historical published and unpublished material which has been produced by the men and women who have been associated with the Honorary. Members and other researchers who demonstrate a need and use for purposes of research and advancement of the profession may access the archives through the center.

Epsilon Pi Tau National office at BGSU

History of Mu Chapter at ISU