I went to the 2024 convention, and I had such a great time,” said Charlie Sledz, graduate student in mechanical engineering. “I figured Purdue would be a great place to host one of the next conventions. We are the largest chapter and one of the oldest.

Established in 1915, the Purdue Beta chapter is the largest in the country, with 104 active members. The group fosters a tight-knit community of ME students that organize and participate in numerous social, professional and service-based events throughout the school year. 

Last semester alone, the chapter hosted 22 exam review sessions with more than 1,300 attendees. Members also contributed over 1,200 service hours through initiatives such as winterization efforts and Habitat for Humanity projects. 

Pi Tau also operates Railside Café, a small shop in the ME Building open to all faculty, staff and students stocked with snacks, drinks, and merchandise. 

Organizing the convention required extensive preparation. “15 months of planning went into this convention,” said Lindsay Sutherland, senior in mechanical engineering. 

From finding sponsors, to booking venues, members worked diligently to ensure a successful event. Their fundraising efforts alone spanned several months. “We fundraised for about 8 months,” said Sledz. “We raised almost $10,000 thorough corporate sponsors.”

Davide Ziviani, associate professor of mechanical engineering, presenting in a breakout session.

The convention featured alumni keynote speakers David Altenau, Chairman of Pitch Black Company and Founder of Fuse FX and Angela Ashmore, Lead Race Engineer at Chip Ganassi Racing. Breakout sessions covered topics including patent law, deep space habitats, mars-based fuels, graduate school, and chapter engagement.

A highlight of the weekend was the technical challenge, in which teams competed by designing and building a Lego gearbox capable of lifting the world’s largest drum from a ditch.

Attendees also toured Birck Nanotechnology Center and Herrick Laboratories. 

Purdue Beta chapter won the second place award for Outstanding Chapter.

At the convention, the Purdue Beta chapter earned second place for Outstanding Chapter. Additionally, Eckhard Groll, William E. and Florence E. Perry Head of Mechanical Engineering and Reilly Distinguished Professor, was inducted to the Pi Tau Sigma national board.

“It was very fulfilling to see the weekend come to completion,” said Sutherland. “By the end, people were coming up to us, thanking us and telling us how well organized the event was. It made everything worth it.”