Engineers鈥� Week Includes Order of the Engineer Ring Ceremony
By Peter Staffeld, PhD, PE, F.NSPE, Assistant Professor, Chemical Engineering
On February 20th, 2018, during Engineers鈥� Week, the Villanova chapter of the National Society of Professional Engineers sponsored an 鈥淥rder of the Engineer鈥� ring ceremony. The Order of the Engineer organization has promoted ethics and fostered a sense of pride within the engineering profession since 1970. During the ceremony, initiates voluntarily pledge an oath to uphold ethical standards and to serve humanity by making the best use of Earth鈥檚 precious wealth. Initiates then receive a stainless-steel ring to be worn on the pinky finger of their dominant hand. Each time the ring strikes a solid surface, the engineer is reminded of their pledge. The Order is not a membership organization; there are never any meetings to attend or dues to pay. Instead, the Order fosters a unity of purpose and the honoring of one鈥檚 lifelong pledge.
Since 2015, Villanova has initiated 125 students into the Order. This year鈥檚 ring ceremony included 34 graduating seniors and two Villanova professors. The ceremony was conducted by Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering Peter Staffeld, PhD, PE, F.NSPE, and three past presidents of the Pennsylvania Society of Professional Engineers, including alumna Lisa Catania 鈥�81 CE. Graduating engineering students and practicing engineers are encouraged to join; next year鈥檚 ring ceremony will again be held during Engineers鈥� Week. Contact Dr. Peter Staffeld for more information.