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Chi Epsilon at Old Dominion University Chi Epsilon is the National Civil Engineering Honor Society. Since its founding in 1922, the national organization has recognized over 90,800 members. Old Dominion University's chapter was founded in 1979 as the 91st chapter since the original at the University of Illinois in 1922. We, students, faculty, and alumni of the Department of Civil Engineering at various colleges and universities, believing that a mark of distinction should be placed on the undergraduate who has upheld the honor of the department by high scholastic ability, and believing that a society with the broad principles of scholarship, character, practicality, and sociability would be an incentive to greater achievements in the civil engineering profession, do adopt this constitution as a guiding instrument for this organization. Object and Purpose of Chi Epsilon Dedicated to the purpose of maintaining and promoting the status of Civil Engineering as an ideal profession, Chi Epsilon was organized to recognize the characteristics of the individual Civil Engineer deemed to be fundamental to the successful pursuit of an engineering career, and to aid in the development of those characteristics in the Civil Engineering students. Engineering, the application of scientific principles to the practical needs of society, is assuming a constantly increasing responsibility for the physical well-being of all people, and thus calling for competence of a high order. This responsibility can be discharged only by a professional group whose members are possessed of a good basic technical ability, intelligence, moral integrity, and effective social poise in their relationship with the larger community of which they are a part. To contribute to the improvement of the profession. Chi Epsilon fosters the development and exercise of sound traits of character and technical ability among Civil Engineers, and its members, by precept and example, toward an ever- higher standard of professional service. History of Chi Epsilon In the spring of 1922 two groups, a group of seniors and juniors, of civil engineering students at the University of Illinois, one calling itself Chi Epsilon, and the other calling itself Chi Delta Chi, independently of each other, took steps to petition the faculty for permission to establish an honorary civil engineering fraternity that would recognize the student who excels in the fundamental qualities of the successful civil engineer, and who would use his abilities constructively in advancing the civil engineering profession. As soon as the existence of the two groups became known to each other, plans were immediately propagated to merge the two groups under the name of Chi Epsilon. The next year, 1923, Chi Epsilon was granted a certificate of incorporation as a National Honor Fraternity and, subsequently, chapters were installed at the Armour Institute of Technology (now Illinois Institute of Technology) and Minnesota. Two more chapters were added prior to the First National Conclave at Armour Institute in 1924. At the 1924 Conclave, the first Supreme Council was elected and an expansion policy carefully formulated. Since then the growth of Chi Epsilon has been steady. There are now 130 chapters (UC Davis as of Chapter 130, 2007), that have initiated over 90,800 members. Chi Epsilon has always had a conservative attitude toward expansion, feeling that groups from prominent engineering schools would solicit membership without encouragement. Chi Epsilon's Motto Chi Epsilon retains as its motto the Greek letters Chi Delta Chi, which formed the name of the junior honor society founded in 1922 at the University of Illinois and which is one of the roots of Chi Epsilon. Chi Delta Chi. These three letters shall symbolize our English motto: Conception, Design, and Construction. These are the three phases of every creative project. Conception is inventive; it perceives the opportunity to do something and recognizes the means of accomplishment. Fitting that means of accomplishment to the specific case and planning a definite method of work is design. Construction is the actual building. It makes a reality of the idea of conception and the plan of design. Conception requires imagination and intelligence. Design requires education and practical experience. Construction requires energy, determination, and perseverance. In these functions, your adherence to the principles of Chi Epsilon will serve you well. Chi Epsilon Membership Chi Epsilon is dedicated to the purpose of maintaining and promoting the status of civil engineering as an ideal profession. Membership is by invitation only and based on four primary requirements: Scholarship, Character, Practicality and Sociability. Scholarship Success in undergraduate/graduate academic work is a fundamental requirement for Chi Epsilon members. High scholastic achievement suggests an unusual fitness for positions of responsibility and leadership. Character Character is that integrity of nature which inspires respect and confidence. It is that quality which leads individuals to support worthwhile activities, both in college and after graduation. Practicality Practicality is the ability to apply the basic principles of scientific knowledge to the problems which continually confront the practicing Civil Engineer. Sociability The desire and the ability to join freely with others, to share in their activities and contribute to them, are factors which lead directly to personal success and happiness. This faculty is Sociability.