Rensselaer Society of Engineers
Encyclopedia
The Rensselaer Society of Engineers (RSE) was founded as the Pi Eta Scientific Society in 1866, and in 1873 was incorporated in New York State as The Rensselaer Society of Engineers. Soon after, it changed from a scientific society to a social fraternity.
The Rensselaer Society of Engineers was founded as the Pi Eta scientific society in 1866 and incorporated under the laws of the state of New York in 1873. Originally members of the society were required to do original scientific research and present a paper before the membership. In 1883, the Pi Eta scientific society became the Rensselaer Society Of Engineers. The reason for this was to distinguish themselves from the other fraternities in the region as well as to show their close ties with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. The RSE clubhouse is the third place of residence for the brothers of the Rensselaer Society of Engineers. The Pi Kappa Alpha house is one of RSE's previous locations.
Arriving on campus at about the same time as some of the first fraternities, it has remained one of the oldest “local” organizations in the U.S.
RSE is the only independent fraternity at RPI. They have chosen to remain independent because they feel that their complete freedom to set their own policies and make their own decisions far outweigh the small advantages of being associated with a national. Members major not only in engineering, but also in each of the Sciences, Management and Architecture. Society members are active in not only campus and local activities, but are also in many national organizations. The fraternity was suspended in 1997 for violations of the University's disciplinary policy, but was reinstated ahead of the original (2003) term of the suspension.
The current clubhouse was designed by famous architect Bertram Goodhue
for the Rensselaer Society of Engineers in 1922 at the behest of alumni leader Edwin S. Jarret. Construction began in 1923 and ended in 1924. The clubhouse was one of the first structures on the East side of 15th street. The clubhouse was also put together under the contributions of one E.L. Lockhert, who contributed approximately $200,000. There are multiple specialized rooms in the clubhouse. There is an archive room, billiards room, and a library. Originally, members lived in a dormitory located on the third floor of the clubhouse. The remaining levels of the house were full of study rooms, a lecture hall, a room for the chef, and an infirmary. Since then multiple rooms have been built on the second and third floors to house the members that decide to live in the clubhouse.
The historic house is an iconic image in the Rensselaer landscape. For this reason, RSE is a host to a variety of functions, both Greek and Academic. This includes the Annual Alumni Greek Chowderfest
Beginning in the Fall of 2009, renovations were done to the living room. $100,000 was spent to fix plaster damaged by water leaks. The windows and doors were also replaced to enhance house security and allow for usage as the old ones were sealed shut. The purpose of the living room is not only for house functions, but is used to host guest speakers throughout the year. The goal is to eventually have a lecture series in the space. The living room is also the venue for the annual Holiday Banquet.
Board of Trustees and the current President of the Institute. Each year a speaker is asked to present on a topic of their choice.
, RSE supports a Colombian boy, José, as he struggles to grow up in poverty. José mails the brothers crayon drawings as a sign of his appreciation. RSE also hosts an annual breakfast to raise money for The Children's Miracle Network
. This is the one time a year students and professors can enjoy a famed McRSE. The breakfast has become very popular amongst professors who will order sandwiches to be delivered to their offices.
House History
| Timeline of Events in RSE's History | |
|---|---|
| Important dates in the history of the Rensselaer Society of Engineers | |
| >1866 | Pi Eta Scientific Society is formed (ΠΗ) |
| >1873 | Pi Eta becomes incorporated |
| >1883 | The ΠΗ Scientific Society changes their name to The Rensselaer Society of Engineers (RSE) |
| >1923 | Construction of the "Clubhouse" begins |
| >1924 | Construction of the "Clubhouse" ends |
| >1980 | First Ever 'Ultimate' |
The Rensselaer Society of Engineers was founded as the Pi Eta scientific society in 1866 and incorporated under the laws of the state of New York in 1873. Originally members of the society were required to do original scientific research and present a paper before the membership. In 1883, the Pi Eta scientific society became the Rensselaer Society Of Engineers. The reason for this was to distinguish themselves from the other fraternities in the region as well as to show their close ties with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. The RSE clubhouse is the third place of residence for the brothers of the Rensselaer Society of Engineers. The Pi Kappa Alpha house is one of RSE's previous locations.
Arriving on campus at about the same time as some of the first fraternities, it has remained one of the oldest “local” organizations in the U.S.
RSE is the only independent fraternity at RPI. They have chosen to remain independent because they feel that their complete freedom to set their own policies and make their own decisions far outweigh the small advantages of being associated with a national. Members major not only in engineering, but also in each of the Sciences, Management and Architecture. Society members are active in not only campus and local activities, but are also in many national organizations. The fraternity was suspended in 1997 for violations of the University's disciplinary policy, but was reinstated ahead of the original (2003) term of the suspension.
The Clubhouse
Bertram Goodhue
Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue was a American architect celebrated for his work in neo-gothic design. He also designed notable typefaces, including Cheltenham and Merrymount for the Merrymount Press.-Early career:...
for the Rensselaer Society of Engineers in 1922 at the behest of alumni leader Edwin S. Jarret. Construction began in 1923 and ended in 1924. The clubhouse was one of the first structures on the East side of 15th street. The clubhouse was also put together under the contributions of one E.L. Lockhert, who contributed approximately $200,000. There are multiple specialized rooms in the clubhouse. There is an archive room, billiards room, and a library. Originally, members lived in a dormitory located on the third floor of the clubhouse. The remaining levels of the house were full of study rooms, a lecture hall, a room for the chef, and an infirmary. Since then multiple rooms have been built on the second and third floors to house the members that decide to live in the clubhouse.
The historic house is an iconic image in the Rensselaer landscape. For this reason, RSE is a host to a variety of functions, both Greek and Academic. This includes the Annual Alumni Greek Chowderfest
Beginning in the Fall of 2009, renovations were done to the living room. $100,000 was spent to fix plaster damaged by water leaks. The windows and doors were also replaced to enhance house security and allow for usage as the old ones were sealed shut. The purpose of the living room is not only for house functions, but is used to host guest speakers throughout the year. The goal is to eventually have a lecture series in the space. The living room is also the venue for the annual Holiday Banquet.
Events and activities
Each year, RSE hosts a Holiday Banquet. The banquet has been a long standing tradition of the fraternity, in which each member invites one or two of their professors to attend. Invitations are also sent out to the RPIRensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Stephen Van Rensselaer established the Rensselaer School on November 5, 1824 with a letter to the Rev. Dr. Samuel Blatchford, in which van Rensselaer asked Blatchford to serve as the first president. Within the letter he set down several orders of business. He appointed Amos Eaton as the school's...
Board of Trustees and the current President of the Institute. Each year a speaker is asked to present on a topic of their choice.
Philanthropy
The Rensselaer Society of Engineers donates many hours and dollars each year to various organizations around the world. Through Children InternationalChildren International
Children International is a nonprofit humanitarian organization dedicated to bettering the lives of impoverished children, their families and communities....
, RSE supports a Colombian boy, José, as he struggles to grow up in poverty. José mails the brothers crayon drawings as a sign of his appreciation. RSE also hosts an annual breakfast to raise money for The Children's Miracle Network
Children's Miracle Network
The Children's Miracle Network Hospitals is an international non-profit organization that raises funds for children's hospitals, medical research and community awareness of children's health issues. The organization, founded in 1982 by the Osmond family and John Schneider, is headquartered in...
. This is the one time a year students and professors can enjoy a famed McRSE. The breakfast has become very popular amongst professors who will order sandwiches to be delivered to their offices.
RSE Scholarships
The Rensselaer Society of Engineers offers a number of scholarships annually to its members.- The RSE-RPI Academic Scholarship is awarded to a sophomore and is applied by RPI to tuition for both the junior and senior years. It is based on excellence in the classroom.
- The RSE-RPI Brotherhood Scholarship is awarded to a junior who has shown exceptional community, school, and fraternity spirit and involvement while maintaining strong academic success. It is applied by RPI to tuition for senior year.
- The Becker Scholarship, in memory of Frank W. Becker ’83, is awarded to a sophomore who has shown exceptional dedication to RSE brotherhood. It is applied by the RSE Foundation to room and board for the junior year.
- The Rudy Bergfield Scholarship was started by a substantial donation for Rudy Bergfield '49. This scholarship is for a brother who is involved with athletics, is in good academic standing, who shows dedication to the RSE brotherhood. Rudy Bergfield was the captain of the men's lacrosse team during his years at RPI.
Notable alumni
- Washington RoeblingWashington RoeblingWashington Augustus Roebling was an American civil engineer best known for his work on the Brooklyn Bridge, which was initially designed by his father John A. Roebling.-Education and military service:...
- 1857 -Chief Engineer of the Brooklyn BridgeBrooklyn BridgeThe Brooklyn Bridge is one of the oldest suspension bridges in the United States. Completed in 1883, it connects the New York City boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn by spanning the East River...
after his father's death - Henry RowlandHenry Augustus RowlandHenry Augustus Rowland was a U.S. physicist. Between 1899 and 1901 he served as the first president of the American Physical Society...
- 1870 - US physician, known for diffraction gratingDiffraction gratingIn optics, a diffraction grating is an optical component with a periodic structure, which splits and diffracts light into several beams travelling in different directions. The directions of these beams depend on the spacing of the grating and the wavelength of the light so that the grating acts as... - John Alexander Low WaddellJohn Alexander Low WaddellJohn Alexander Low Waddell was an American civil engineer and prolific bridge designer, with more than a thousand structures to his credit in the United States, Canada, as well as Mexico, Russia, China, Japan, and New Zealand...
- 1875 - American civil engineer and prolific bridge designer - Palmer Ricketts - 1875 - 11th president of RPI
- George FerrisGeorge Washington Gale Ferris, Jr.George Washington Gale Ferris, Jr. was an American engineer. He is most famous for creating the original Ferris Wheel for the 1893 Chicago World's Columbian Exposition.-Early life:...
- 1881 - Inventor of the Ferris WheelFerris wheelA Ferris wheel is a nonbuilding structure consisting of a rotating upright wheel with passenger cars attached to the rim in such a way that as the wheel turns, the cars are kept upright, usually by gravity.Some of the largest and most modern Ferris wheels have cars mounted on... - Scott Galbiati - 2004 - Co-founder of The Northern Maine Distilling Company and Twenty 2 Vodka