Gamma Alpha Rho


Gamma Alpha Rho was an American aeronautical engineering student honor society. It was created at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York in 1945. It merged with Tau Omega, an aeronautical professional fraternity, to create the aeronautical honor society Sigma Gamma Tau in 1953.

History

Gamma Alpha Rho was established at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York in 1945. Its first official meeting was held on October 21, 1945. Its founders were faculty member H. Burlage Jr. and H. L. Flomenhoft, a student of aeronautical engineering. Its founding members were Flomenhoft, Clarence Cohen, and Steve Maslem.
Gamma Alpha Rho was a social and scientific honor society, created to recognize academic, achievements, and integrity in the field of aeronautical engineering. Its founders also hoped to improve professional ethics and to create a connection between students and faculty. Its first pledge class was initiated in late 1945. Dr. John R. Weske was its first academic advisor.
In the spring of 1946, Gamma Alpha Rho's members discussed becoming a national organization. A new constitution was adopted in the fall of 1946, allowing the local group to expand. Beta chapter was chartered at Virginia Tech in 1947, followed by Gamma chapter at Purdue University. In 1948, the group officially became a "national honorary aeronautical engineering society". Membership was open to juniors and seniors studying aeronautical engineering. In June 1949, Gamma Alpha Rho initiated its first female member, Edna Van Note.
The society expanded to include seven chapters and more than 1,000 members in 1952. It merged with the professional fraternity Tau Omega to form Sigma Gamma Tau on February 28, 1953.

Symbols

The Greek letters Gamma, Alpha, and Rho were selected for the society's name because those letters are commonly used in the field of aeronautical engineering. The Gamma Alpha Rho key was shaped like a Joukowsky airfoil over a circle.

Chapters

Following is a list of Gamma Alpha Rho chapters.
ChapterCharter date and rangeInstitutionLocationStatus
Alpha – February 28, 1953Rensselaer Polytechnic InstituteTroy, New YorkMerged
Beta – February 28, 1953Virginia TechBlacksburg, VirginiaMerged
Gamma – February 28, 1953Purdue UniversityWest Lafayette, IndianaMerged
Delta – February 28, 1953University of IllinoisUrbana, IllinoisMerged
Epsilon – February 28, 1953University of AlabamaTuscaloosa, AlabamaMerged
Zeta – February 28, 1953Iowa State UniversityAmes, IowaMerged
Eta – February 28, 1953Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridge, MassachusettsMerged

Notable members