THE MISSION:
NSBE'S MISSION IS TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF CULTURALLY RESPONSIBLE BLACK ENGINEERS WHO 
EXCEL ACADEMICALLY, SUCCEED PROFESSIONALLY, AND POSITIVELY IMPACT THE COMMUNITY.

THE FOUNDERS:

  In 1971, two Purdue undergraduate students, Edward
  Barnette (now deceased) and Fred Cooper approached
  the dean of engineering at Purdue University with
  the concept of starting the Black Society of 
  Engineers (BSE). They wanted to establish a student
  organization to help improve the recruitment and 
  retention of black engineering students. In the late
  1960's, a devastating 80 percent of the black fresh-
  men entering the engineering program dropped out.
  The dean agreed to the idea and assigned the only
  black faculty member on staff, Arthur J. Bond, as
  advisor. Barnett served as the first president of the
  BSE. The fledging group gained momentum in 1974, with
  the direction and encouragement of Bond and the active
  participation of the six young men whose destiny was 
  to become the founders of NSBE (pictured to the left).

  The Lamar University NSBE chapter was founded in 1979
  and has been under the advisement of Dr. Richard 
  L. Price. Our LU chapter strives for achievement 
  among our members while maintaining each of the 
  aspects within our mission statement.



THE VISION:
The NSBE experience empowers every member to reach his or her full potential. We are encouraging our
membership to continue the legacy while maintaining leadership roles in NSBE's African-American communities,
and other professional organizations. We instill pride and add value to our members, which causes them to 
want to give back to NSBE in order to produce a continuum of success. NSBE sets the standard of excellence in 
providing services to science and engineering students. We maximize our potential collectively to facilitate 
the development of quality African-American engineers. WE are advancing a cultural paradigm, which inspires
the African-American community to achieve greater engineering and scientific feats than ever before.


THE TORCH:
The N.S.B.E. Torch symbolizes our everlasting burning desire to achieve success as engineers in our present
society.  The lightning bolts represent the striking impact that will be felt upon society and industry as a 
result of the contributions and achievements made by the National Society of Black Engineers.



 
THE OBJECTIVES:

 
To stimulate and develop student interest in the various engineering and technical disciplines.
 
To strive to increase the number of minority students studying engineering at both the 
     undergraduate and graduate levels.
 
To encourage members to seek advanced degrees in engineering or related fields and to 
     obtain professional engineering registrations.
 
To encourage and advise minority youth in their pursuit of an engineering career. 
 
To promote public awareness of engineering and the opportunities for Blacks and other 
     minorities in that profession.
 
To function as a representative body on issues and developments that affect the careers
     of Black and other minority Engineers.