Sigma Gamma Tau (ΣΓΤ) is the American honor society in Aerospace Engineering. It seeks to identify and recognize achievement and excellence in the Aerospace field within the United States. Sigma Gamma Tau's collegiate chapters elect annually to membership those students, alumni, and professionals who, by conscientious attention to their studies or professional duties, uphold this high standard for the betterment of their profession.

History

Sigma Gamma Tau was founded on the campus of Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, on February 28, 1953, "to offer appropriate recognition to persons of superior scholarship, outstanding character, and professional achievement in the field of Aeronautical Engineering." The new society was formed by the merger of two existing societies, Tau Omega, founded in 1927 at the University of Oklahoma, and Gamma Alpha Rho, founded in 1945 at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. The objectives of Sigma Gamma Tau, as stated in the preamble of the society's national constitution, are: "to recognize and honor those individuals in the field of Aeronautics and Astronautics who have, through scholarship, integrity, and outstanding achievement, been a credit to their profession. The society seeks to foster a high standard of ethics and professional practice and create a spirit of loyalty and fellowship, particularly among students of Aerospace Engineering."

Symbols

The name of the society was selected by combining the Greek letter Sigma, indicating sum, with Gamma and Tau from the initial letters of the parent organizations. Its colors are red and white.

Chapters

Since its modest beginnings in 1953, the society has grown from 14 to 54 collegiate chapters and from 1,900 to 29,000+ initiated members in nine regions.

Northeastern

Mid-Atlantic

Southeastern

South Central

Great Lakes

North Central

Southwestern

Western

Southern Pacific

Governance

National headquarters

The national headquarters of Sigma Gamma Tau is located at the Aerospace Engineering Department of Wichita State University.

National convention

SGT National Convention has been held every three years since 1953 (except for the years between 1956 and 1964). The most recent convention was held in conjunction with the AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting at Orlando, Florida in January 2018.