CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE via COLLEGIATE PRESSWIRE)--Dec 1, 2004--The Board of Governors of Eta Kappa Nu (HKN) has unanimously approved the assignment of all management responsibilities for the honor society of electrical and computer engineers to the International Engineering Consortium (IEC).
The HKN Board announced that the IEC will begin day-to-day administration of the society on Dec. 1, 2004. Robert M. Janowiak, the executive director of the IEC, will also become the executive director of HKN.
Eta Kappa Nu with approximately 150 chapters at colleges and universities in the United States was founded in 1904 at the University of Illinois to recognize scholastic achievement and personal accomplishment among electrical engineering students and, more recently, computer engineering students.
The HKN Board said its decision to substantially expand the activities and membership of the society led it to the IEC, a Chicago-based non-profit organization which, among its many roles, presents educational conferences, online education and activities for electrical and computer engineers.
HKN Board President Karl Martersteck noted that the IEC has significant administrative experience in management services, publishing, Web-based education, and industry relations.
''As the board came together on a vision of a more active future for HKN, we knew it would require significant additional administrative support and experience to make it happen,'' Martersteck said. ''The IEC is highly qualified to do it.''
The IEC also currently manages the affairs of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department Heads Association (ECEDHA), a non-profit organization which represents more than 280 chairmen and department heads at colleges and universities with accredited electrical and computer engineering programs.
''ECEDHA members already provide substantial support for Eta Kappa Nu activities within their universities and both organizations will provide greater synergy and cooperation,'' Martersteck said.
Martersteck lauded the work of the outgoing executive director, Dr. Ronald A. Spanke.
''The board would like to thank Dr. Spanke for his service and his contributions to HKN. We specifically want to applaud his significant efforts to greatly improve the operations of the organization. At this point, the HKN board of governors plans to broadly expand the activities of HKN chapters, as well as add additional chapters both here in the U.S. and internationally,'' Martersteck said. ''The IEC has the academic background, industry contacts and management infrastructure necessary to meet the vision of the board.''
Janowiak said the IEC was looking forward to taking on the responsibility for the expanded direction of the organization. He said there will be an orderly transition as IEC begins managing HKN.
''The IEC team will provide substantial growth in membership and chapter activities for Eta Kappa Nu,'' Janowiak said. ''I have been a longtime member of HKN, so we are very well aware of the distinguished history of the society and how it has helped its members become better professionals, leaders and citizens. We foresee a vibrant, expanded future for HKN and its many members.''
The IEC (www.IEC.org) was founded in 1944 in Chicago and is a catalyst for positive change in the information and design engineering industries and their university communities. The Consortium is formally affiliated with more than 70 universities, and it has ongoing programs to provide free educational opportunities to graduate students and professors, permitting the transfer of the latest industry technology developments and overall direction to academic curricula and research.
In conjunction with industry, the IEC annually presents major educational conferences and technology exhibitions worldwide and has an extensive online education program that is used by hundreds of thousands of industry professionals.
Eta Kappa Nu (www.hkn.org) recently celebrated its 100th anniversary as an honor society dedicated to recognizing academic achievement and distinguished personal accomplishment among electrical and computer engineers. HKN annually presents awards to outstanding young engineers, students, chapters and distinguished members. The society also publishes a member magazine, ''The Bridge.''
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