The CSU chapter of Pi Tau Sigma hosted the organization’s 98th annual national convention in February, attended by 180 members from around the world.
Visiting members had the opportunity to discuss several impactful topics with keynote speakers and panelists. Attendees learned specifically about CSU’s breakthrough research, and visited the College’s state-of-the-art labs. The two-day event also featured tours, a career fair and social events, workshops, and an awards ceremony.
Local chapter awarded for community service
At the event’s awards ceremony, the local chapter earned Outstanding Service and Outstanding Performance awards, and were presented with a plaque of recognition.
“Our PTS chapter strives to serve CSU’s engineering community through volunteering, providing seminars, and hosting social events,” said Alex Grauberger, a chapter officer.
Along with supporting their fellow students, the group hosts STEM events at elementary schools to spark engineering interests in young minds. Community activities include Fall Cleanup and CSUnity, where members assist elderly and disabled residents to maintain their independence through cleaning and caring for their yards. The chapter also holds an annual holiday party for the entire college, providing students with dinner, a design competition, and contests.
“Despite being small, we’re accomplishing huge feats,” said Grauberger. “We hope our efforts will expand our chapter over the next few years.”
Student planning and fundraising
The chapter’s eight officers, along with faculty advisor Shantanu Jathar, began planning and fundraising a year prior to the event. With the help of generous donors, they raised $20,000 to host the convention.
“I was pleasantly surprised how a handful of PTS students fundraised, organized, and successfully executed a large national convention,” said Jathar. “But then again, I shouldn’t be surprised since the PTS chapter students are the cream of the crop of their class.”
