About TBP
Tau Beta Pi is the premier national engineering honor society in the country (est. 1885), and one of the most nationally recognized societies. Tau Beta Pi is committed to scholarship, personal character, and service to the profession, community and university. Every quarter, we invite the top fifth of BS seniors and the top eighth of BS juniors in McCormick Engineering.
At the core of the Society lie the qualities of distinguished scholarship and exemplary character, and for the past 70 years, the members of Illinois Gamma have not failed to confer honor upon their Alma Mater. Northwestern has produced leaders in engineering, government, the arts and sciences, and academia, to name a few, and the Northwestern Chapter of TBP exists to bring these like-minded individuals together to create a sum that is greater than the whole of its parts. In the past, we have hosted career fairs for both our members and the broader McCormick community alike, advising sessions and fireside chats to better inform undergraduates in the process of selecting majors, and graduate school information panel by our alumni. There’s much more to go!
Visit the official national Tau Beta Pi website to learn more about TBP initiatives at the national level.
Scholastic Eligibility Criteria
Beyond academics, TBP evaluates potential members based on their personal and professional character. Read more about our eligibility criteria here.
Benefits of Membership
Membership in Tau Beta Pi marks you as an exceptional engineering student or practicing engineer with exemplary character. Membership also offers unique and valuable leadership opportunities and a chance to interact with peers from all engineering disciplines. Tau Beta Pi membership is for life and by becoming a member of this honor society, you join others with similar interests and high achievements. However, beyond the events and the networking opportunities, TBP offers other financial, educational and careers benefits for our members at both the NU and national levels.
Up to 30 Fellowships in the amount of $10,000 will be awarded. Fellows may enroll in graduate programs in any field which enables them to contribute to the engineering profession. More information on fellowships can be found here and applications can be found here.
Fellowship applications may only be requested between December 31, 2021 and February 1, 2022 ET.
The Tau Beta Pi Association Scholarship Program was established in 1998 with five awards named in honor of former Emeritus R.H. Nagel. Awards have been made to more than 2,798 Scholars for their senior year of engineering study. More information on scholarships can be found here and applications can be found here.
Scholarship Applications may only be requested between January 20, 2022 and April 1, 2022 ET.
The Tau Beta Pi Laureate Program was formally established by the 1984 Convention after a three-year trial basis to recognize annually up to five Tau Beta Pi student members who outstandingly exemplify the “spirit of liberal culture in engineering colleges.” Award categories include arts, athletics, diverse achievements, and service.
Chapters may nominate any of their student members as Laureate candidates (find more details in the Information sheet). Nominations must be received at HQ by April 1 with judging done by a committee of District Directors. Winners receive a $2,500 cash award and plaque which are presented at the annual Convention. If a current member would like to be nominated, please contact the Executive Board, who will assist you with your nomination package.
The Outstanding Distinguished Active Member Awards are awarded once per year. The purpose of the following award is to acknowledge our members in their capacity to affect change at the university and within Tau Beta Pi. This award stresses heavily excellence in engineering, in character, in the liberal arts, and especially participation in the Northwestern chapter. The prize each year will be announced in the spring quarter.
Every year, TBP collects the résumés of current members which is sent to our industry and higher education partners who heavily recruit eminent Tau Beta Pi candidates. TBP nationals also hosts an online job board connecting talented engineers with top engineering companies. In addition, TBP hosts a virtual career fair every year attended by many companies and schools including:
BAE Systems, Bechtel, Cisco, Epic, FedEx, Honeywell FM&T National Security Campus, Intelsat, Lockheed Martin, Pepsi Co., and more everyday are looking to hire Tau Bates. Top U.S. engineering graduate programs such as George Washington University, MIT, University of Michigan, University of Pennsylvania, University of Southern California, University of Tennessee Oak Ridge Innovation Institute, Northwestern University, New York University, The Ohio State University, Tufts, University of Virginia, Iowa State, University of Pittsburgh, and many more,
Read here for the full lists of other membership benefits such as discounts, test-prep, travel, etc.