Last year, WPI opened its own chapter of Alpha Pi Mu Honor Society, and with it brought the only such recognized society for industrial engineering to campus.
The university will host an upcoming initiation ceremony on Feb. 10 to recognize those students whose work in the field has gone above and beyond the basic requirements for IE majors.
Like most honor societies, APM inducts juniors and seniors, as well as graduate students who are working on an MS in Operations Design and Leadership (ODL).
Ortiz says that students who enter APM can expect “academic and leadership recognition in the field of industrial engineering, participation in professional industrial engineering activities (industry panels, plant tours, networking events), and a closer student-faculty relationship.”
“APM’s mission involves recognizing industrial engineering students who have excelled academically and integrally in the field,” says Jose Luis Ortiz ‘14, president of WPI’s chapter, “Our goal is to encourage the advancement of industrial engineering education and promote the professional welfare of its members.”
To be eligible, juniors must have taken at least four classes in the IE program and maintain a GPA in the top fifth of their class. Seniors must have a GPA in the top third. Grad students must be in the top fifth of the MS ODL class and have completed half of their graduate program.
This year three juniors and one senior will be inducted, as well as an undetermined number of grad students.
The ceremony will feature words from Dean Mark Rice and some faculty members of the School of Business. The event will include a banquet, ample time for socializing and networking, and the Initiation Ceremony itself.
Ortiz stresses that the entire APM chapter board of executives, which also includes vice president Veronica Vallenilla ’14, secretary Yang Yang ’14, and treasurer Christine Tang ’13 (grad student), are “very excited to further establish and develop this honor society on campus with the objective of making IE more recognized at WPI.”
The university is equally proud to host the prestigious organization. “From a WPI perspective, it is always great to recognize students for their achievements, and Alpha Pi Mu offers that opportunity,” says Sharon Johnson, associate professor of operations and industrial engineering, who serves as faculty advisor for APM on campus. “In addition, it provides visibility and networking within the industrial engineering community; I think it is also great to for students to have links outside the WPI community. APM will be sponsoring some events on campus, such as guest speakers, giving others the opportunity to learn more about IE.”
Going forward, APM will continue encouraging students to be proud of being IE majors by rewarding their academic and professional accomplishments. They hope to make eligibility for APM membership part of the motivation to excel in the field of IE, and would urge all majors to stay tuned to society-related events on campus in the next few years and make being a part of APM a goal of theirs, as well.
The Initiation Ceremony will be held at Higgins House on Monday, Feb. 10, at 5 pm. It will offer finger food and last approximately two hours.
More information on the honor society can be found at www.alphapimu.com
