23 students, alumni, and faculty inducted into national organization
On Tuesday, May 5, the School of Engineering at Dunwoody College of Technology held its first ever Order of the Engineer Ring ceremony. During the ceremony, 23 candidates took a solemn obligation to themselves and the public to “uphold devotion to the standards and dignity of my profession.”
While this was the first time Dunwoody’s School of Engineering has held an induction ceremony, the practice dates back to 1925 when engineers in Canada recognized the special obligation of engineers to one another, to the profession, and to the public they serve. The U.S. equivalent began in 1970.
“This ceremony is a good way to take a moment and reflect on what it means to be an engineer,” said event organizer Dr. Peter Walls, Mechanical Engineering Faculty. “Many of the ethical challenges practicing engineers face aren’t the black and white examples that gain fame but are shades of gray that can easily be overlooked. Like many things, it’s the deliberate practice over a long period of time that matters. Lastly, the ceremony allows for the graduating students a moment to celebrate what they’ve accomplished before the race to the finish!”
Current seniors and graduates of Dunwoody’s Mechanical Engineering and Electrical Engineering programs are eligible for induction as both programs are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (EAC of ABET).
The following individuals were inducted:
Faculty Candidates:
- David Adolfson, M.S.
- Jonathan Aurand, M.S., P.E.
- Andrew Hoitink, Ph.D.
- Gerald Mtatifikolo, Ph.D.
- Noureen Sajid, M.S.
Dunwoody Alumni & Current Student Candidates:
(Individuals listed without a graduation year are current seniors.)
- Brett Bolzer ’26, Mechanical Engineering
- Andrew Frechette ’26, Mechanical Engineering
- Jonathan Hennessy ’25, Mechanical Engineering
- Olivia Janousek ’24, Electrical Engineering
- Jason Jarosz ’24, Mechanical Engineering
- Alan Knabenshue ’25, Mechanical Engineering
- Brennan Linn ’23, Mechanical Engineering
- George Llapa ’25, Mechanical Engineering
- Elijah Martinez ’25, Mechanical Engineering
- Brian Gonzalez Melgar ’22, Mechanical Engineering
- Caden Neubauer ’23, Mechanical Engineering
- Elizabeth Rivas ’21, Mechanical Engineering
- Devin Schmidt ’24, Mechanical Engineering
- William Schutte ’25, Mechanical Engineering
- Mason Seibert ’26, Mechanical Engineering
- Joseph Stariha ’22, Mechanical Engineering
- Mackenzie Tooker ’26, Mechanical Engineering
- Tou Vang ’26, Mechanical Engineering
About the Order of the Engineer
The Order of the Engineer is a national organization whose purpose is to foster a spirit of pride, individual integrity, and responsibility in the engineering profession. It promotes ethics and professionalism in the practice of engineering and bridges the gap between education and practice.
Membership is voluntary and open to seniors and graduate students in EAC of ABET-accredited engineering programs, graduates of EAC of ABET-accredited engineering programs, licensed professional engineers, members of the Canadian Calling, and special individuals.
Each individual who accepts the obligation receives a stainless steel ring. The ring is to be worn on the small finger of the working hand. Inductees are encouraged to wear the ring and to display the signed obligation certificate as visible reminders of the publicly accepted obligation as a contract with themselves.
History of the Order of the Engineer
Based on the model of the Canadian Ritual of the Calling, the Order of the Engineer was established in the United States in 1970 with the first Ring Ceremony being conducted by students at Cleveland State University’s Fenn College of Engineering. In 1972, the Order of the Engineer was incorporated in Ohio and tacit approval was obtained from the Canadian Wardens.
The Order is governed at the national level by a National Board of Governors, composed of as many as 21 engineers who serve three-year terms. The National Board establishes policy, directs the national office, and charters local “Links” governed by local boards of governors. Such “Links” are granted the right to conduct Ring Ceremonies.
The Order of the Engineer is an independent organization and is not connected to other national engineering organizations. However, the Order recognizes ABET’s accreditation of engineering programs as a primary measurement of educational credentials for an engineer in the United States.
About Dunwoody’s School of Engineering
Students enrolled in Dunwoody’s School of Engineering, begin their engineering coursework from their first semester. The College offers three four-year Bachelor of Science degrees in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering.
Coursework is project-integrated, which means theoretical engineering principles are reinforced and experienced through hands-on creation and problem-solving. Students learn in small class-sizes, all taught by industry-connected faculty. Students gain real-world experience through field trips, industry speakers, internship opportunities, and a senior project.
Industry leaders and professionals routinely provide feedback on the skills, projects, equipment, and software engineering students need to ensure they are ready to engage in complex engineering projects from day one.
Both Dunwoody’s Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering degree programs are accredited by the EAC of ABET.