Edward Barnett, a member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity was a
founding father of the Purdue University Black Society of Engineers. After Ed
graduated from Purdue, six engineering students from Chicago led a national
effort to launch the Purdue model nation-wide. The rest is history. Read more
about The National Society of Black Engineers.
In 1971, two Purdue undergraduate students, Edward Barnette (now
deceased) and Fred Cooper approached the dean of engineering at Purdue
University with the concept of starting the Black Society of Engineers (BSE).
They wanted to establish a student organization to help improve the recruitment
and retention of black engineering students. In the late 1960’s, a devastating
80 percent of the black freshmen entering the engineering program dropped out
after the first year. The dean agreed to the idea and assigned the only black
faculty member on staff, Arthur J. Bond, as advisor.
Ed Barnett served as the first president of the BSE. The Society
met at what was then called the "Black House", now known at the Black
Cultural Center at Purdue. Engineering students were expected to meet in
the library daily to complete their homework and/or prepare for exams
together. No one stood alone and everyone looked out for each other.
The Society became the strongest and most cohesive academic group on campus for
black engineering students. Ed Barnett and Fred Cooper graduated and
became corporate supporters of the students at Purdue. The activities of
the members of the Black Society of Engineers resulted in increased retention
and increased enrollment. In 1974, with the direction and encouragement
of their advisor, Arthur J. Bond a leader within the group, Mr. Anthony Harris,
led the initiative to explore the opportunity to make what was happening at
Purdue a national standard. Under the leadership of Harris, the
organization's name changed from the Black Society of Engineers to the Society
of Black Engineers
Several engineering universities had similar groups on their
campuses and Anthony Harris, along with five friends from Chicago, now known as
the "Chicago Six" challenged Purdue's membership to rise to the
challenge of hosting this very important meeting and realizing a common goal to
impact the nation. Anthony Harris, president of the Purdue chapter, wrote
a letter to the presidents and deans of every accredited engineering program in
the country (288), explained the Society of Black Engineers (SBE) concept,
shared the retention successes experienced at Purdue, and asked them to
identify black student leaders, organizations and faculty members who might be
interested in attending a meeting at Purdue to support the effort of creating a
national presence. The President of Purdue University at the time was Dr.
Arthur G. Hansen who encouraged the initiative and became an key enabler during
the formative stages of the National Society of Black Engineers.
Approximately 80 schools responded. Many had similar Black
student organizations with similar objectives. A date was set for the first
national meeting and 48 students representing 32 schools
attended. Students from all over the nation and Canada drove during
dangerous times through many states and deep into the cornfields of West
Lafayette, Indiana to change the destiny of thousands. They risked
personal safety and braved the challenge to pioneer a new venture that would
impact the lives of African American children who otherwise might not have an
opportunity to pursue engineering. From April 10-12, 1975 the students
from across the nation and the engineering students at Purdue University
networked, bonded, and came to a conclusion that would affect the lives of
thousands in years to come. All in attendance are credited with the birth
of a new organization: The National Society of Black Engineers. The
six engineering students from Purdue University that were key in
bringing this event to fruition were Anthony Harris, Brian Harris, Stanley L.
Kirtley, John W. Logan, Jr., Edward A. Coleman, and George A. Smith. There ware
several engineering students on Purdue's campus that helped facilitate the
event. Their names are not mentioned here, however their impact was
critical to the success of this effort.
It was at that historic meeting through majority vote, that The
Society of Black Engineers became the National Society of Black
Engineers. The NSBE logo was chosen and it remains a distinctively recognizable
symbol representing the premier technical organization for African American
engineering students and professionals worldwide. The NSBE logo consists
of a lit torch with the letters 'S' 'B' and 'E' in the handle of the torch.
There are two lightening bolts crossing in the middle of the torch.
Both are superimposed over the letter 'N' indicating national impact. The
torch symbolizes lighting the way. The fire respresents the members’
everlasting, burning desire to achieve success in a competitive society.
The 'N' represents the national scope of positively affect ingthe quality of
life for all people. The lightening bolts represent the striking impact (in all
directions) that will be felt by the society and industry due to the
contributions and accomplishments made by the dedicated members of the National
Society of Black Engineers.
NSBE was eventually incorporated in Texas, in 1976 as 501©3
non-profit organization. John Cason, also of Purdue, served as the first
elected president of NSBE. During the critical formative years, Virginia Booth,
with the endorsement and encouragement of Purdue's President Arthur G. Hansen
became the first female National Chairperson and the first to serve two terms
1978-1980. Under her leadership and mentorship of Dr. Arthur Hansen,
Virginia Booth and the 1978 NSBE Executive Board led the chartering process for
new chapters. That year, the chartered membership for the organization
grew exponentially making NSBE a recognized presence on predominately white
campuses. The organization grew from a few chapters to more than 50
chapters in 1978. During Ms. Booth's second term of office more chapters
were added in 1979 and a national agenda was framed. NSBE has since grown
from six to over 35,000 members within the United States and abroad. It
has membership in countries all over the world, including Ghana, Nigeria,
Canada, Germany, China, Jamaica, Trinidad, and others. NSBE World
Headquarters is located in Alexandria, Virginia.
NSBE was born during an era where conditions for African
Americans were dismal. It's genesis was after the death of great leaders,
including President John F. Kennedy, Senator Robert Kennedy, Dr. Martin Luther
King, and Malcolm X. In the heart of the civil rights movement, the
atmosphere at Purdue University provided a catalyst for bringing about change
in the 1970's. Today, the same university is determined to continue to
IMPACT the world!
To the Edward Barnett's and Fred Coopers
across the country that championed unity at their respective campuses, to the
'Chicago Six' who braved the nay-sayers and pressed the organization at Purdue
to embrace and expand its borders, to the pioneers who braved the journey to
come to Purdue to create a national body for positive change, many continue to
express their thanks.
*Originally Posted April 4th, 2012*
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