MACON – Mercer University School of Engineering student Jonathan Alfred was recently selected as one of 210 Tau Beta Pi Scholars nationwide.
Tau Beta Pi, the engineering honor society, was founded at Lehigh University in 1885 and is the nation's second-oldest honor society. Today, it is the world's largest engineering society with 245 collegiate chapters in the United States, 40 active alumni chapters in 16 districts across the country, and a total initiated membership of nearly 575,000.
All of this year's Tau Beta Pi scholarships are named for members or corporations. Alfred received the Althouse Scholarship, which commemorates Ernest E. Althouse, who left a bequest in 2006.
Tau Beta Pi scholarships are awarded to members who are entering their senior year of study based on the competitive criteria of high scholarship, campus leadership and service, and promise of future contributions to the engineering profession.
“Jonathan is being recognized as an outstanding member of Mercer School of Engineering's chapter of Tau Beta Pi,” said Dr. Wade H. Shaw, dean and Kaolin Professor of Engineering. “This is a group of our most talented students so that makes Jonathan one of the best among the best. We are very proud of him and his scholarship award.”
Alfred, from Ocala, Florida, is completing his final year of study in the five-year joint bachelor's and master's degree program in electrical engineering. This May, he will receive a Bachelor of Science in Engineering in electrical specialization with a minor in computer science and a Master of Science in Engineering in computer specialization. He has earned academic distinction on both the President's and Dean's lists on numerous occasions.
In addition to electrical engineering, he would like to work in the mission field with a Christian media ministry such as Trans World Radio or pursue a Master of Business Administration and work in the management field.
“I am thankful to God for this award and will be happy to use it as I further my education here at Mercer and transition into the workforce,” said Alfred.
During his time at Mercer, Alfred has been actively involved with Reformed University Fellowship, serving on the ministry team, and with Mercer's Intelligence and Robotics Lab, Karate Club and Korean Student Association. He is a member of Sigma Xi Honor Society, Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, and is currently serving as president of Tau Beta Pi.
In addition to his academics and extracurricular activities, Alfred plays violin and works part-time in Warner Robins with the Georgia Tech Research Institute.
About the School of Engineering
Mercer University's School of Engineering, founded in 1985, offers innovative and academically challenging programs that provide students with a comprehensive education, featuring a solid foundation in mathematics and sciences, a core engineering curriculum, a range of courses in engineering specialties and a strong emphasis on communication technologies. The School is consistently ranked by U.S. News and World Report as one of the top three master's-degree-level engineering schools in the Southeast. Known for its breadth of instruction in its undergraduate program and its five-year joint bachelor's and master's degree program, the School combines technical education with hands-on laboratory experience. Mercer engineers can look forward to joining fellow alumni in companies such as Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex, Lockheed Martin, Georgia Power, Siemens and Gulfstream Aerospace.
