Texas Engineering Foundation (TEF)
What is TEF? Who are its members? If you’ve ever been to a TSPE Annual Meeting or Leadership Conference, then you already know the answer to the second question…..YOU ARE! Your membership in TSPE automatically makes you a member of TEF. Five dollars of your annual TSPE dues goes to TEF. So what exactly is this organization that you belong to?
TEF is a nonprofit charitable foundation established by TSPE in 1967 to support the goals and ideals of professional engineers in Texas. The Foundation has official status as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization under the Federal Tax Code. TEF’s general purpose is outlined by its Mission statement:
“to enhance the practice of engineering through supporting high quality formal engineering education and continuing professional development, encouraging the development and maintenance of the high standards of conduct expected of members of a learned profession, and providing scholarship assistance to outstanding engineering students.”
The Foundation is governed by a Board of Trustees, comprised of both designated and elected representatives, who are all members in good standing of TSPE. All members of TSPE are welcomed and encouraged to attend the Board of Trustees meetings, held each year in October, March and June in conjunction with the TSPE State Board Meetings.
TEF currently supports and operates a scholarship program that awards both undergraduate and graduate scholarships to students pursuing engineering degrees. One $2000 scholarship is given each year to a graduate engineering student at an engineering school in Texas. $10,000 is allocated annually for undergraduate scholarships awarded through the various TSPE University Student Chapters. Over $15,000 is allocated annually to support Chapter scholarship programs across the state.
TEF is also dedicated to promoting ethics education of engineering students and practicing engineers and lends its support and funding to various programs through the Murdough Center for Engineering Professionalism and the National Institute for Engineering Ethics. TEF recently participated in the funding for the two newest ethics training videos produced by NIEE, “Ethicana” and “Henry’s Daughters”.
The Distinguished Engineer of the Foundation award is an honor bestowed by the TEF Board of Trustees upon a person in recognition of distinguished service in the technical advancement or professional development of engineering. TEF annually awards up to five Distinguished Engineer recognitions each year.
Individuals and companies have the opportunity to achieve advanced levels of TEF membership and more fully support and participate in the activities and programs of the Foundation by making financial gifts or commitments. Advanced membership levels include Friend, Colleague and Fellow.
For more information on TEF, including a list of the current Board of Trustees, visit the TEF link on the TSPE website: www.tspe.org.
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