Years of Excellence
Tau Beta Pi — Michigan Epsilon Chapter
Founded 1951 at Wayne State University
3.14.2026Our Chapter
Chapter History
Michigan Epsilon’s roots reach back to 1934, when the honorary engineering society ACCEMITES was organized at Wayne University shortly after the Colleges of the City of Detroit were reorganized. The name “ACCEMITES” was coined from the first letters of the five branches of engineering established at Wayne University: Aeronautical, Chemical, Civil, Electrical, and Mechanical. Its constitution was patterned after that of Tau Beta Pi.
ACCEMITES sponsored engineering convocations, hosted notable speakers including Dr. Joseph Stringham, City Engineer of Detroit, and Mr. Kenneth Meade, Director of Personnel for the General Motors Research Laboratories. The society paused during World War II after its 1942 initiation banquet and was reactivated on May 28, 1948, when faculty advisors elected 34 members — retroactive to 1942 in fairness to wartime graduates. By that time, 156 members had been initiated since the society’s founding.
In 1951, ACCEMITES’ legacy was formalized when the Michigan Epsilon Chapter of Tau Beta Pi was established at Wayne State University. For 75 years, our chapter has upheld the ideals of integrity, breadth of interest, and adaptability that define the Tau Beta Pi honor society — continuing a tradition of engineering excellence in Detroit that stretches back over ninety years.
What is Tau Beta Pi?
Tau Beta Pi is the oldest and most prestigious engineering honor society in the United States, founded in 1885 at Lehigh University. Membership is extended to engineering students and alumni who have demonstrated distinguished scholarship and exemplary character.
With over 600,000 initiated members across more than 260 collegiate chapters, Tau Beta Pi fosters a spirit of liberal culture in the engineering profession and champions the cause of engineering education.
Milestones
ACCEMITES Founded
The honorary engineering society ACCEMITES is organized at Wayne University, with a constitution patterned after Tau Beta Pi. The name is coined from five engineering branches: Aeronautical, Chemical, Civil, Electrical, and Mechanical.
Wartime Pause
ACCEMITES holds its last initiation banquet before suspending activities during World War II due to a lack of eligible candidates.
ACCEMITES Reactivated
Faculty advisors reactivate the society and elect 34 members, retroactive to 1942. A total of 156 members have been initiated since the society's founding.
TBP Chapter Founded
Michigan Epsilon Chapter of Tau Beta Pi is established at Wayne State University, carrying forward the legacy of ACCEMITES as part of the nation's premier engineering honor society.
First Decade of Growth
The chapter grows steadily through its first decade, establishing core traditions of academic mentorship and community service.
Community Service Expansion
Michigan Epsilon expands its outreach with tutoring programs and partnerships with local schools and engineering organizations.
Mentorship Programs Launch
Formal mentorship programs connect active members with alumni advisors, creating lasting professional networks.
Tutoring Services Established
Chapter-run tutoring sessions become a campus staple, providing free academic support for engineering students.
Entering the Digital Age
Michigan Epsilon embraces technology with online member directories and digital communications.
Modern Outreach
The chapter modernizes recruitment and outreach strategies, growing membership and campus presence.
Virtual Adaptation
Michigan Epsilon adapts to virtual meetings and hybrid events, maintaining community through unprecedented times.
New Member Portal
Launch of the modern tbpmie.org website with member portal, resume builder, event calendar, and game room.
75th Anniversary
Celebrating seventy-five years of engineering excellence, scholarship, and service at Wayne State University.
Happy Pi Day!
π in Engineering
Pi is fundamental to virtually every branch of engineering — from calculating stress in circular cross-sections to designing signal filters and modeling electromagnetic waves. No constant appears more often in an engineer’s toolkit.
The TBP & Math Connection
Tau Beta Pi’s very name evokes mathematical tradition. The Greek letters ΤΒΠ connect us to the language of mathematics and science that forms the foundation of every engineering discipline.
75 Digits for 75 Years
In honor of our 75th anniversary, we display the first 75 digits of pi above. That level of precision is far more than NASA uses to navigate spacecraft across the solar system — they only need about 15 digits!
Explore
Join the Celebration
Be part of 75 years of engineering excellence at Wayne State University.