With a pledge to uphold the standards and dignity of the engineering profession, nearly 100 Florida Polytechnic University students were inducted into the Order of the Engineer on Wednesday, April 23.
The national association for graduate and professional engineers focuses on promoting pride and responsibility in the profession. As part of the ceremony, each inductee received a stainless-steel ring to be worn on the little finger of their dominant hand, symbolizing their commitment to integrity and excellence in the craft.
“It’s a reminder that you’re the latest in a long line of engineers, clever innovators, designers and problem solvers who push the world forward,” Dr. Brad Thiessen, Florida Poly’s interim provost and vice president of academic affairs, said to the students. “What I envy most about engineers is you see solving problems as a necessity, a calling, and you’ll soon be graduating into a world that has plenty of problems to solve.
“The world needs you and your ingenuity, and I look forward to seeing what you’ll create and accomplish.”
Computer engineering senior Akilah Dixon said the induction into Link #332, Florida Poly’s order chapter, helped bring her academic accomplishments into focus.
“It’s a very exciting feeling to finally be here because I’ve always imagined being some form of engineer, but now that I’m here, it just feels so surreal,” she said.
For mechanical engineering senior Willard Scammey, joining the Order of the Engineer is an important step on his educational journey.
“It’s meaningful because now it’s more than just saying you’re a mechanical engineer; you’re part of something that’s been around for over 50 years,” said Scammey, who plans to pursue a master’s degree in mechanical engineering at Florida Poly this fall. “Becoming an engineer is something I’ve been striving toward for a while, and it feels good that it’s coming to fruition.”
Jessica Quang, a senior majoring in mechanical engineering, attributed the opportunities that await her to her Florida Poly experience. She hopes to soon transition from her current internship at Hubbard Construction Company to a full-time role as a construction engineer.
“I feel like I got a very valuable education and am excited to follow in the footsteps of our alumni,” Quang said. “I learned so much and I’ve built connections with fellow students and professors. Overall, it’s just been a great experience.”
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Lydia Guzmán
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