Kingston, R.I. — June 16, 1999 — The Rhode Island Beta Chapter of Tau Beta Pi initiated seven University of Rhode Island engineering students into the national engineering honor society during its annual banquet in May. Outgoing President Melinda Vitale of North Reading, Mass. served as master of ceremonies for the event. To become a member of Tau Beta Pi, juniors must rank in the top eighth of their class and seniors must rank in the top fifth of their class. Students must also demonstrate a commitment to liberal education which manifests itself in the form of community service and concern. This year’s community service projects included a college-wide food drive, cleanups of a section of Route 2 under the new adopt-a-highway program, and high school visits. The new URI chapter officers were also elected. They are: Curtis Carlsten of East Providence, R.I., president; Louis Maccarone II of Johnston, R.I., vice-president; Corey Bobba of Newport, R.I., treasurer; Michael Curtis of Cuyler, N.Y., secretary; and Arlene Dail of Attleboro, Mass. as recording secretary. Tau Beta Pi was founded in 1885 to recognize the distinguished academic achievements of engineering students and to “foster a spirit of liberal culture in engineering colleges.” The honor society has 195 collegiate chapters with more than 300,000 members. The following students were initiated into Tau Beta Pi: Initiates Area of Engineering/ Hometown Year of Graduation Corey D. Bobba Civil Engineering, 1999 Newport, R.I. Brian P. Dravis Mechanical Engineering, 2000 Cromwell, Conn. Robert D. Gent III Chemical Engineering, 1999 Westerly, R.I. Robert A. Lawton Chemical Engineering, 2000 Foster, R.I. Monique S. Menoche Chemical Engineering, 1999 Woonsocket, R.I. Adam J. Simonsen Civil Engineering, 1999 Edgewater, Md. Peter H. Willey Mechanical Engineering, 1999 East Providence, R.I. For More Information: Vincent Rose, 401-874-5924 Dave Lavallee, 401-874-2116