NSBE's mission is to increase the number of culturally responsible Black engineers
who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community.
| Our Objectives are to: |
•Stimulate and develop student interest in the various engineering disciplines. |
•Strive to increase the number of minority students studying engineering at both
the undergraduate and graduate levels. |
•Encourage members to seek advanced degrees in engineering or related fields and
to obtain professional engineering registrations. |
| •Encourage and advise minority youth in their pursuit of an engineering career. |
•Promote public awareness of engineering and the opportunities for Blacks and
other minorities in that profession. |
•Function as a representative body on issues and developments that affect the
careers of Black Engineers. |
| Our National Directives are: |
| •Social Consciusness |
| •Leadership Development |
| •Academic and Technical Excellence |
| •Membership Recruitment and Retention |
| To understand how we address these please read more... |
A Brief National History:
In 1971, two Purdue undergraduate students, Edward Barnette (now deceased) and
Fred Cooper approached the dean of engineering at Purdue University with the
concept of starting the Black Society of Engineers (BSE). They wanted to establish
a student organization to help improve the recruitment and retention of black
engineering students. In the late 1960's, a devastating 80 percent of the black
freshmen entering the engineering program dropped out. The dean agreed to the idea
and assigned the only black faculty member on staff, Arthur J. Bond, as advisor.
Barnett served as the first president of the BSE. The fledging group gained
momentum in 1974, with the direction and encouragement of Bond and the
active participation of the young men whose destiny was to become the founders
of NSBE. Now known as the "Chicago Six", these men are Anthony Harris, Brian Harris,
Stanley L. Kirtley, John W. Logan, Jr., Edward A. Coleman, and George A. Smith.
Encouraged by their on-campus success, Anthony Harris, president of the Purdue
chapter, wrote a letter to the presidents and deans of every accredited engineering
program in the country (288), explained the Society of Black Engineers (SBE) concept
and asked them to identify black student leaders, organizations and faculty members
who might support their efforts on a national basis. Approximately 80 schools
responded. Many had similar Black student organizations with similar objectives.
A date was set for the first national meeting and 48 students representing 32 schools
attended the event, held April 10-12, 1975. Harris also changed the organizations'
nomenclature from the BSE to the Society of Black Engineers (SBE).
Our National Symbol:
The torch symbolizes members' everlasting, burning desire to achieve success in
a competitive society and positively affect the quality of life for all people.
The lightening bolt represents the striking impact that will be felt by the society and
industry due to the contributions and accomplishments made by the dedicated
members of the National Society of Black Engineers.
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