Chapter History
The year was 1976, the scene was the campus of the Georgia Institute of Technology, and the necessity was for an organization that would help to develop the Black engineering students at this institution. Out of this need, came the invention: The Georgia Tech Chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers.
The Georgia Tech Society of Black Engineers (G.T.S.B.E) was founded in 1976, a year after the National Society of Black Engineers (N.S.B.E) was established. When the first president, Mr. Robert Dixon, learned of the N.S.B.E, he saw that there was a need for this type of organization on the campus of Georgia Tech. With this in mind, he approached Dr. Augustine Esogbue, the only black faculty member at the institution. Dr. Esogbue saw this as a great opportunity for the students at Georgia Tech and agreed to become the chapter's first advisor, a position in which he still serves today. G.T.S.B.E quickly gained steam and Dr. Esogbue often boasts that Georgia Tech Chapter was actually chartered before the National Organization!
Since its beginnings, G.T.S.B.E has grown to become one of the largest, well-known, and some might even say revered, chapters within the organization, with membership numbers as high as 250. This chapter has had the privilege of receiving numerous honors and accolades, including both the Regional and National Distinguished Chapter of the Year Award; with the National Distinguished Chapter of the Year Award being the highest honor that can be awarded to a chapter. G.T.S.B.E received these honors in 1999 (National) and 1998, 2001, 2002, 2003 (Regional).
The Georgia Tech Chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers continues, even today, to fulfill the need for which it was created. It serves as a professional, social and cultural outlet for the students at the Georgia Institute of Technology, while serving as a voice for the Black population on campus. This chapter's aim is to uphold the mission of N.S.B.E; to increase the number of culturally responsible Black engineers, who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community.