History

National Society of Black Engineers

The History of 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. The dean agreed to the idea and assigned the only black faculty member on staff, Arthur J. Bond, as advisor.

Barnett served as the first president of the BSE. The fledging group gained momentum in 1974, with the direction and encouragement of Bond and the active participation of the young men whose destiny was to become the founders of NSBE. Now known as the "Chicago Six", these men are Anthony Harris, Brian Harris, Stanley L. Kirtley, John W. Logan, Jr., Edward A. Coleman, and George A. Smith.

Encouraged by their on-campus success, 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 and asked them to identify black student leaders, organizations and faculty members who might support their efforts on a national basis. 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 the event, held April 10-12, 1975. Harris also changed the organizations’ nomenclature from the BSE to the Society of Black Engineers (SBE).

It was at that historic meeting through majority vote, that SBE became the National Society of Black Engineers. The familiar NSBE symbol "N" with lightning bolts was chosen and it remains a distinctively recognizable symbol representing the premier technical organization for African American engineering students and professionals. 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. As the organization grew, Virginia Booth became the first female National Chairperson and the first to serve two terms 1978-1980. From 1985 to 1987 Donna O. Johnson served as National Chairperson. She has been on the Board of Corporate Affiliates and is known for the Guaranteed 4.0 Workshop.

In 1986, the Reverend Jesse Jackson spoke at the National Conference in Boston, Massachusetts. The first full time Executive Director was Florence Morehead (on Loan) in 1987. In 1987, N.S.B.E. purchased 344 Commerce St, Alexandria, VA to use as its first (non-campus located) National Headquarters. The current National Headquarters, located at 1454 Duke St., Alexandria, VA was purchased in 1991.

In 1988, the Alumni Extension, the Board of Corporate Affiliates, and the National Pre-College Initiative were started. In 1989, N.S.B.E. budget exceeded $1,000, 000. In 1975, the first National Conference was held at Purdue University. 48 students from 32 schools attended the conference. Five important things happened at this conference:

NSBE has since grown from six to 10,000 members and the annual meeting has blossomed into the Annual National Convention, hosting over 8,000 attendees. NSBE has 17 NSBE Jr. pre-college, 268 student and 50 alumni/technical professional chapters. Headquartered in Alexandria, Va., NSBE offers academic excellence programs, scholarships, leadership training, professional development and access to career opportunities for thousands of members annually. With over 2000 elected leadership positions, 12 regional conferences and an annual convention, NSBE provides opportunities for success that remain unmatched by any other organization.

For more information check out our Founder's Page

National website: www.nsbe.org

Region 4 Site: www.nsbe.org/region4