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OUR STORY

The Purdue University chapter of Chi Epsilon was established in 1929 as the 11th chapter of the national civil engineering honor society. We operate under the national motto "Chi Delta Chi" (Conception, Design, Construction) and uphold the society's Four Pillars: Scholarship, Character, Practicality, and Sociability. Our chapter proudly represents the society's official colors of purple and white and publish information in our own publication, The Transit. 

Historically, Purdue has played a significant role in shaping the national organization by hosting two major National Conclaves:

1956 Conclave: Hosted at Purdue, this meeting resulted in a major bylaws change that reorganized the society's governance from a seven-member at-large Supreme Council into distinct geographical districts.

2004 Conclave (38th): Also hosted at Purdue, this conclave saw the governing body officially renamed from the "Supreme Council" to the "National Council."

The Purdue chapter has produced four distinguished National Honor Members: Solomon Cady Hollister (1969), Ralph E. Fadum (1978), Stephen D. Bechtel, Jr. (1990), and Charles J. Pankow (2004).

CHI EPSILON HISTORY

Chi Epsilon was officially founded on May 20, 1922, at the University of Illinois when two independent civil engineering student groups (Chi Epsilon and Chi Delta Chi) merged under the guidance of 25 charter members and supportive faculty. After incorporating as a national honorary civil engineering fraternity on February 13, 1923, the organization rapidly expanded. By 1925, chapters were established at the Armour Institute, University of Minnesota, USC, Cornell, Wisconsin, and UC Berkeley. The first National Conclave was held in Chicago on July 4, 1924, establishing the society's initial Supreme Council and constitution.

Over the decades, Chi Epsilon was guided by highly dedicated members, notably Harold T. Larsen, a founding member who served heavily in early leadership and remained Councilor Emeritus until 1971 (later honored with a namesake award for outstanding service). A small, dedicated group of men has held the crucial Secretary-Treasurer position for the vast majority of the society's history. During its 25th National Conclave, the organization officially dropped "Fraternity" from its name to become simply "Chi Epsilon."

Originally governed by a seven-member Supreme Council, the society's structure evolved in 1956 to elect councilors based on geographic districts to accommodate its nationwide expansion. Today, it operates with a ten-district organization overseen by the National Council. Since its founding, Chi Epsilon has maintained steady growth (averaging ~20 chapters per decade after its initial boom).

As of the end of 2018, the society stands as a massive national network boasting 148 active chapters. It has initiated over 133,000 members, recognized 2,388 Chapter Honor Members, and elevated 65 National Honor Members.

WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CHI EPSILON AS A WHOLE? VISIT THEIR WEBSITE: WWW.CHI-EPSILON.ORG