Piedmont Tech Students Celebrate National Engineers Week

As part of its continuing efforts to promote science, technology, engineering and mathematics, the engineering technology program and Tau Alpha Pi, the engineering technology honor society at Piedmont Technical College, recently celebrated National Engineers Week.

“Engineers Week is a great time to celebrate what we as engineers do,” said Jared Taylor, president of Tau Alpha Pi. “I hope the students walk away having learned something about the field.”

Engineering technology students were treated to lunch where Michael Pearce and Travis Spoone, lead engineers with Eaton Corporation, gave them some insight into the engineering technology fields.

“I want to convey my excitement with engineering and create more engineers,” said Pearce, a 2005 graduate of the engineering graphics technology and mechanical engineering technology programs at Piedmont Tech. “The more people we have thinking about engineering, the better world we will have.”

“Engineers Week is a great opportunity for students, instructors and industry to come together to create a unified effort to support the engineering aspects of the college,” said David Kibler, interim dean of engineering and industrial technologies. “Bringing in representatives from area companies gives the students a base knowledge of the processes that are happening out in the field.”

The celebration of National Engineers Week was started in 1951 by the National Society of Professional Engineers in conjunction with President George Washington’s birthday. President Washington is considered as the nation’s first engineer, notably for his survey work. It is observed by more than 70 engineering, education, and cultural societies, and more than 50 corporations and government agencies. The purpose of National Engineers Week is to call attention to the contributions to society that engineers make. It is also a time for engineers to emphasize the importance of learning math, science and technical skills.

Photo Caption: The engineering technology program and Tau Alpha Pi, the engineering technology honor society at Piedmont Technical College, recently celebrated National Engineers Week. PTC graduate Michael Pearce, left, and Travis Spoone, lead engineers with Eaton Corporation, shared their real-world experiences with engineering technology students.