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Gamma Alpha Rho

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Gamma Alpha Rho
FoundedOctober 21, 1945; 79 years ago (October 21, 1945)
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
TypeHonor society
AffiliationIndependent
StatusMerged
SuccessorSigma Gamma Tau
EmphasisAeronautical engineering
ScopeNational
Chapters7
Members1,000+ lifetime
HeadquartersTroy, New York
United States

Gamma Alpha Rho was an American aeronautical engineering student honor society. It was created at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York in 1945. It merged with Tau Omega, an aeronautical professional fraternity, to create the aeronautical honor society Sigma Gamma Tau in 1953.

History

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Gamma Alpha Rho was established at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York in 1945.[1][2] Its first official meeting was held on October 21, 1945.[1] Its founders were faculty member H. Burlage Jr. and H. L. Flomenhoft, a student of aeronautical engineering.[1] Its founding members were Flomenhoft, Clarence Cohen, and Steve Maslem.[1]

Gamma Alpha Rho was a social and scientific honor society, created to recognize academic, achievements, and integrity in the field of aeronautical engineering. Its founders also hoped to improve professional ethics and to create a connection between students and faculty.[1] Its first pledge class was initiated in late 1945.[1] Dr. John R. Weske was its first academic advisor.[1]

In the spring of 1946, Gamma Alpha Rho's members discussed becoming a national organization.[1] A new constitution was adopted in the fall of 1946, allowing the local group to expand.[1] Beta chapter was chartered at Virginia Tech in 1947, followed by Gamma chapter at Purdue University.[1][3] In 1948, the group officially became a "national honorary aeronautical engineering society". Membership was open to juniors and seniors studying aeronautical engineering.[4] In June 1949, Gamma Alpha Rho initiated its first female member, Edna Van Note.[5]

The society expanded to include seven chapters and more than 1,000 members in 1952.[1] It merged with the professional fraternity Tau Omega to form Sigma Gamma Tau on February 28, 1953.[2][6]

Symbols

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The Greek letters Gamma, Alpha, and Rho were selected for the society's name because those letters are commonly used in the field of aeronautical engineering.[1] The Gamma Alpha Rho key was shaped like a Joukowsky airfoil over a circle.[1]

Chapters

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Following is a list of Gamma Alpha Rho chapters.[1]

Chapter Charter date and range Institution Location Status References
Alpha October 21, 1945 – February 28, 1953 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Troy, New York Merged (ΣΓΤ) [a]
Beta May 1947 – February 28, 1953 Virginia Tech Blacksburg, Virginia Merged (ΣΓΤ) [3][a]
Gamma 1947 – February 28, 1953 Purdue University West Lafayette, Indiana Merged (ΣΓΤ) [6][a]
Delta 1948 – February 28, 1953 University of Illinois Urbana, Illinois Merged (ΣΓΤ) [4][a]
Epsilon 1948 – February 28, 1953 University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, Alabama Merged (ΣΓΤ) [a]
Zeta 1949 – February 28, 1953 Iowa State University Ames, Iowa Merged (ΣΓΤ) [7][b]
Eta 1949 – February 28, 1953 Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, Massachusetts Merged (ΣΓΤ) [a]
  1. ^ a b c d e f This became a chapter of Sigma Gamma Tau after the national merger of the two fraternities.
  2. ^ With the national merger of the two fraternities, this chapter merged with the Eta chapter of Tau Omega to form a chapter of Sigma Gamma Tau.

Notable members

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "History of Sigma Gamma Tau" (PDF). Sigma Gamma Tau National Honor Society in Aerospace Engineering: 3–8. July 1979.
  2. ^ a b Anson, Jack L. and Marchesani Jr. Robert F., eds. Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities, 20h edition. Indianapolis: Baird's Manual Foundation, 1991. pp. V.99-V.100. ISBN 0-9637159-0-9
  3. ^ a b "New Tech Fraternity to Choose Officers". The Roanoke Times. 1947-05-30. p. 3. Retrieved 2025-01-11 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ a b "Coeds". The Daily Illini. Urbana, Illinois. 1948-04-28. p. 8. Retrieved 2025-01-11 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "Aero Engineer". Ledger-Star. Norfolk, Virginia. 1949-06-23. p. 42. Retrieved 2025-01-11 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ a b "Purdue Sigma Gamma Tau". Purdue University. Retrieved 2025-01-10.
  7. ^ "Home". Sigma Gamma Tau – Iowa State University Chapter. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
  8. ^ "Brigadier General Jay R. Brill". United States Air Force. September 1977. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
  9. ^ "Major General Herbert A. Lyon". United States Air Force. May 15, 1974. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
  10. ^ "Honors and Awards". Igor I Sikorsky Historical Archives. Retrieved 2025-01-11.
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