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Alpha Pi Mu was founded by James T. French in 1949 who was a senior in industrial engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Nine men chosen through their affiliation with the Georgia Tech Chapter of Tau Beta Pi constituted the original membership who led the initial developmental work wanted an organization to provide a common ground on which their outstanding young engineers could exchange ideas, and to provide experiences which could help their future professional development. In 1959, full membership in the Association of College Honor Societies (ACHS) was attained.
The major significance of Alpha Pi Mu's association with ACHS is that it is the only nationally accepted industrial engineering honor society. Chapters now exist in almost every major university which possess an accredited industrial engineering department. While academic interests and abilities are required for membership the society's overall goals are much broader.
The Georgia Tech engineers who led the initial developmental work wanted an organization to provide a common ground on which their outstanding young engineers could exchange ideas, and to provide experiences which could help their future professional development.
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The goals are stated by Alpha Pi Mu as follows:
-- To confer recognition upon the student of Industrial Engineering who has shown exceptional academic interests and abilities in his/her field.
-- To encourage wherever possible any movement which will advance the best interest of Industrial Engineering education.
-- To further unify the student body of the Industrial Engineering department in presenting its needs and ideas to the faculty.
-- To create a closer student-faculty relationship by bringing together the needs and thoughts of both.
-- To assist and cooperate with all organizations and persons working for the interest of industrial engineering.
-- To benefit its members by the association and experience that can come from bringing together a group with similar interests, objectives, and abilities and to promote the professional welfare of all.
The purpose of Alpha Pi Mu is:
-- To bring distinction to individuals who have achieved academic excellence in the field of Industrial Engineering.
-- To promote scholarly activities related to Industrial Engineering education.
-- To foster an atmosphere for social interaction between students and faculty
Scholarship Oppertunities
While the scholarship requirement for membership provides encouragement for underclassmen and graduate students, many of the chapters offer yearly prizes for freshmen and sophmores who show great promise. An Outstanding Senior award is also presented by a number of the chapters.
Professional affiliation within the field of Industrial Engineering:
A number of companies who employ engineers give added consideration to honor society members, for they have already demonstrated that they have something extra. Employers often look for signs of potential leadership characteristics among the engineers they interview - an ability to get things done witht he cooperation of others.
The worthwhile projects carried out by the chapter provide excellent opportunities for the acquisition of leadership experience and the satisfaction of accomplishment.
