Besides having to adapt to a new environment, Murphy said he was one of only a few black students majoring in engineering. Then he discovered the National Society of Black Engineers and no longer felt alone in his field.
“When I went to my first conference, I was so empowered to be around so many people like me,” Murphy said.
Murphy was one of more than 10,000 participants from throughout the world who attended the National Society of Black Engineers’ 33rd Annual National Convention at the Greater Columbus Convention center from March 28-April 1.
“It’s pretty cool to see everyone in the society coming to our hometown this year,” Murphy said. “It gives me that home pride.”
The convention allows students to meet with established engineers, said Celeste Chavis, a senior at OSU and vice chair of OSU’s chapter of NSBE. The event featured lectures from distinguished speakers, including Angela Davis, a keynote speaker and University of California Santa Cruz professor. There were also research competitions, job fairs and more than 70 workshops on topics such as leadership development, cultural awareness and technical excellence.
Murphy, now a junior and membership chair of OSU’s chapter of NSBE, said the conference helps students feel empowered, meet other engineering students and, most importantly, network with the top engineering companies in the country. It also helps boost membership.
“The main highlight of this year’s conference was our increase in membership,” said senior Kenton Williams, president of OSU’s chapter.
Formed in 1971, NSBE boasts more than 23,000 members worldwide who are involved in engineering, science or technology. While its mission statement is “to increase the number of culturally responsible Black Engineers,” the society also promotes the academic and professional success of students, Chavis said.
OSU’s chapter has more than 140 members and is run primarily by students, with some supervision from advisers. In February, it held a membership drive that tripled the number of its members.
OSU’s chapter is also involved in public service projects. Members visit NSBE’s junior chapter at Walnut Ridge High School each week to help mentor and teach students in science and math. In the future, NSBE plans to have junior chapters in all of the high schools in Columbus, Williams said.
With international chapters including those in Ghana and Nigeria, NSBE is preparing for its annual Walk for Education on April 21. The event is separated by region and could bring as many as 400 members from the Midwest together to educate young students on opportunities available within the science, technology, engineering and math fields.
Members will walk door to door in the Columbus area and hand out information about financial aid, SAT and ACT tests, area colleges and vocational schools, as well as the organization itself.
Membership is not limited to engineering majors. For more information on NSBE, visit its Web site at nsbe.org.
Sierra Reyes can be reached at [email protected].
