Cincinnati Eta

Cincinnati Eta Chapter grew from a local organization known as Theta Chi Mu which was formed for the express purpose of petitioning Pi Tau Sigma by Mr. Clarence T. Wasmer in cooperation with National Secretary J. V. Martenis. The Chapter was installed by National President G. A. Young on May 22,1926.

Because of the five year cooperative plan in effect at the University of Cincinnati, certain interpretations of the constitution of Pi Tau Sigma were necessary and were allowed at the National Convention in 1926.

Cincinnati Eta Chapter cooperates with the ASME in sponsoring the Spring Banquet, has charge of the Senior Picture, and was responsible for the publishing of "The Story of Pi Tau Sigma" in 1932.

ANNUAL SUMMARY REPORTS

2021-2022 Nathaniel Stocker – President

During the 2021-2022 academic year, the University of Cincinnati Pi Tau Sigma (PTS) Eta Chapter did not have any social activities. The necessity to reduce in-person contact with others during the Covid pandemic influenced this lack of social activities. Additionally, the Eta Chapter’s low membership numbers further influenced the lack of social activities. It is the hope that the officers of 2022-2023 will be able to have significantly more social activities with many Covid restrictions being lifted.

Throughout the 2021-2022 academic year, an executive meeting was held at the beginning of the Fall 2021 semester and Spring 2022 semester for a total of two meetings. The executive meetings were utilized to plan the initiations for each respective semester and to plan how to get PTS and its members more involved with each other and the University of Cincinnati. As with social activities, it is the hope that the officers of 2022-2023 will have more executive meetings as well as regular general meetings.

After the Spring 2022 initiation ceremony, the new officers for the 2022-2023 academic year were selected. The election resulted in Nathaniel Stocker as President, Rachel Ott as Vice-President, and Jenna Pangburn as Treasurer. The leaving officers explained their positions and expectations for the new officers at the celebratory breakfast for the Spring 2022 initiates.

Unfortunately, due to time constraints, the 2022 graduates could not continue the new tradition of taking photos with the faculty advisor on the morning of their commencement ceremony. It is the hope that the 2023 graduates will continue the tradition started by the 2021 graduates.

2020-2021 Eliana Francis – President

During the 2020-2021 academic year, the University of Cincinnati chapter conducted a few social activities during both the fall and spring semesters. In October, we had our first ever virtual Game Night held on WebEx. To start off, we had icebreakers planned like 2 truths and a lie, never have I ever, and then we played online Pictionary together. This event was a great success because we had a total of 7 members join. In addition, we had a bowling outing during the spring semester in April. Attendance was low for that event, with only 3 members going which is mainly because it was held towards the end of the semester before finals and project presentations. Despite the low attendance, the members had fun while competing at bowling for a few hours.

Throughout the duration of the 2020-2021 year, there were a total of 2 executive meetings that were conducted outside of the regularly scheduled initiations that occurred during the fall and spring semester. These meetings consisted of planning the semester and brainstorming ideas to have PTS be more active with its members. Additionally, PTS helped the mechanical engineering department with planning, executing, and refining the composite pictures for the graduating 2021 Mechanical Engineering Class. Multiple composite picture dates were selected with the photographer to have the class take individual pictures with students and faculty members. Copies of the composites were sent to the individuals for their choice of composite shot to be placed on the class composite.

To ensure the continuity of PTS at the University of Cincinnati, a meeting was held to select the new officers for the 2021-2022 year. The results of the election were as follow: President – John Conklin, Vice President – James Hackney, and Treasurer – Rachel Ott. In order to better connect with the new officer, discuss their positions, responsibilities and give them advice, the advisor and current officers decided to meet up on a Saturday for lunch as a casual get together at Keystone.

Finally, we started a new tradition this year for our graduating seniors. All senior PTS members and our academic advisor met up the morning of our commencement ceremony, in front of the engineering building, to take a group picture to keep for our records (As a beautiful wrap to the end of the academic year in the middle of a pandemic).

2019-2020 Joseph Lehman - President

The University of Cincinnati Chapter Activities that occurred throughout the 2019-2020
academic calendar consisted of planning, executing, and refining the composite pictures for the
graduating 2019 Mechanical Engineering Class. This consisted of having the Vice President of
Pi Tau Sigma confirm full funding for the composite picture with the head of the Mechanical
Engineering Department. The composite pictures dates were selected with the photographer to
have the class take individual pictures with students and faculty members. Copies of the
composites were sent to the individuals for their choice of composite photo to be placed on the
class composite. The final composite was reviewed, compiled, and given to the Mechanical
Engineering Class of 2020.

Throughout the duration of the 2019-2020 year, there were a total of 2 meetings that were
conducted outside of the regularly scheduled initiations that occurred during the fall and spring
semester. The fall semester’s meeting consisted of an introduction to the semester to introduce
officers, possible events for the 2019-2020 academic year, and an outline of dates and times for
initiation. Also discussed was who would be chosen as our next advisor.

The spring’s meeting was held after selection of the new officers for the 2020-2021 year. After
discussion from the current officers of the 2019-2020 year about their positions and the
responsibilities each member holds the 2020-2021 officers were formerly announced. The
following results of the election were as followed: President – Eliana Francis, Vice-President –
N/A, and Treasurer – Nate Calabrese. Discussion was also held for possible events for the 2020-
2021 year. The University of Cincinnati chapter is seeking to be more active on our campus. No
other involvement in other student groups were held.

For the 2019-2020 year, a new advisor was chosen for the Cincinnati chapter of Pi Tau Sigma,
Mike Mains. Mike hopes to be heavily involved in the society and to help build up its
membership in the coming years.

The 2019-2020 year was cut short due to COVID-19. However, we did hold a meeting in the
spring with 2020-2021-year Pi Tau Sigma officers to discuss possible future events. The
Cincinnati Eta chapter of Pi Tau Sigma is trying to be more involved on campus; both within the
department of mechanical engineering and the university.

2018-2019 Zach Hase- President

The University of Cincinnati Chapter Activities that occurred throughout the 2018-2019 academic calendar consisted of planning, executing, and refining the composite pictures for the graduating 2019 Mechanical Engineering Class. This consisted of having the Vice President of Pi Tau Sigma confirm full funding for the composite picture with the head of the Mechanical Engineering Department. The composite pictures dates were selected with the photographer to have the class take individual pictures with students and faculty members. Copies of the composites were sent to the individuals for their choice of composite photo to be placed on the class composite. The final composite was reviewed, compiled, and given to the Mechanical Engineering Class of 2019.

Throughout the duration of the 2018-2019 year, there were a total of 2 meetings that were conducted outside of the regularly scheduled initiations that occurred during the fall and spring semester. The fall semester’s meeting consisted of an introduction to the semester to introduce officers, possible events for the 2018-2019 academic year, and an outline of dates and times for initiation.

The spring semester’s meeting was held after the spring initiation and consisted of selecting officers for the 2018-2019 academic year. After discussion from the current officers of the 2018-2019 year about their positions and the responsibilities each member holds, nominations and elections were held for the 2018-2019 officers. The following results of the election were as followed: President – Joseph Lehman, Vice-President – Paige Johnson, and Treasurer – Eliana Francis.  No other involvement in other student groups were held.

For the 2018-2019 year, an honorary member of the University of Cincinnati Mechanical Engineering Department, who never had the opportunity to join Pi Tau Sigma in his undergraduate career was selected to be an honorary member of Pi Tau Sigma. Professor Jog was selected during the spring 2018 semester to join Pi Tau Sigma as an honorary member, however due to travel, he was unable to attend the spring 2018 initiation, and was initiated with the fall 2018 class.

The Cincinnati Eta chapter’s faculty advisor, Dr. Allemang, is in the process of retiring within the next year. During the 2018-2019 school year, the chapter looked for a successor to him and have asked Dr. Jog if he would be willing to be the next faculty advisor for the Cincinnati Eta chapter. Dr. Jog and Dr. Allemang are discussing the responsibilities of being a faculty advisor, so Dr. Jog can make his final decision.