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Coordinates: 42°43′47″N 73°40′32″W / 42.72972°N 73.67556°W / 42.72972; -73.67556
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Rensselaer Society of Engineers
RSE
Founded1866
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
TypeSocial
ScopeLocal
MottoIn time, through friendship, science and knowledge will rule the world
Colors
  •   Black
  •   Orange
PublicationThe oveRSEer
Chapters1
Headquarters1501 Sage Avenue
Troy, New York
United States
Website

The Rensselaer Society of Engineers (RSE) is a social fraternity founded in 1866 at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY. Originally named The Pi Eta Scientific Society, the organization was incorporated in 1873 in the state of New York. Arriving on campus at about the same time as some of the first fraternities, it has remained one of the oldest “local” organizations in the U.S.[1] RSE is the only independent fraternity at Rensselaer. They have chosen to remain independent to maintain the freedom to set their own policies and make their own managerial decisions. Contrary to what their name may imply, members major not only in engineering, but also in such disciplines as science, management and architecture. Society members are active in not only campus and local activities, but are also in many national organizations.[2]

Society history

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The Rensselaer Society of Engineers was founded as the Pantotherian Society or The Pi Eta Scientific Society in 1866.[2] The society was subsequently incorporated under the laws of the state of New York in 1873. Originally members of the society were required to do original scientific research and present a paper before the membership. A model of diversity, the society counted among its members students from across the United States and Central and South America. By 1880 Pi Eta's membership included two Japanese students and one of five Chinese students enrolled at Rensselaer. At it's first officer election held on May 24, 1867 the following officers were elected:

  • President: Pompeyo Sariol of Puerto Principe, Cuba
  • Recording Secretary: Albert H. Millet of Paris, France
  • Corresponding Secretary: Palmer H. Baerman of Troy, New York
  • Treasurer: Max L. Goldstein of New York City

In 1867 the society created a library for the purposes of collection scientific and engineering publications in addition to original works by members. Today the library continues to be housed in the society's clubhouse. In 1883, in an effort to differentiate themselves from the growing number of fraternities on the Rensselaer campus, the Pi Eta scientific society changed its name to the Rensselaer Society Of Engineers (RSE).

The Clubhouse

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File:RSE BACK.jpg
The RSE Clubhouse from the South Side

The RSE clubhouse is the fifth location of the Rensselaer Society of Engineers in Troy and the second residence of its members. Prior to the present headquarters location, the current Pi Kappa Alpha house at RPI was used for approximately a four-year period between 1920 and 1924. The previous three locations were used for only for meeting and study purposes.

In chronological order, these locations were:

  • Before 1881: 4th Street, Troy, NY
  • 1881 - 1908: 219 River Street, Troy, NY
  • 1908 - 1920: 257 Broadway, Troy, NY (second floor above a bank - three rented rooms)
  • (1917 Sage Ave, East of 15th Street, 2 Lots Purchased, Troy, NY for future headquarters building)
  • 1920 - 1924: 128 12th Street, Troy, NY (the current location of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity at RPI)
  • 1924 through Present: 1501 Sage Ave, Troy, NY[3]

The current clubhouse was designed by famous architect Bertram Goodhue for the Rensselaer Society of Engineers in 1922 at the behest of alumni leader Edwin S. Jarret. Construction began in 1923 and ended in 1924. The clubhouse was one of the first structures on the East side of 15th street. The construction of the clubhouse cost approximately $250,000 with the bulk of the contributions coming from Pittsburgh financier and RSE member John M. Lockhart, who contributed approximately $200,000.

The clubhouse was designed to provide living, sleeping, and dining accommodations conducive to academic, pursuits for the members while undergraduates attending Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Designed to accommodate thirty-two members, Bertram Goodhue realized that as all individuals are not identical, a separation of the daily living functions of studying, sleeping, dressing, and dining would benefit both the members individually and the Society as a whole. The clubhouse is a large, three story structure, its exterior comprised of red Harvard brick walls with burnt ends set in a Flemish bond and simple Indiana limestone trimmings. The load bearing exterior walls, coupled with the internal steel framing, support the steel roof trusses. Gypsum block on horizontal purlins spanning the bays formed by the roof trusses originally supported a battened zinc hipped roof. The interior, as does the exterior, reflects the architect's desire to employ a minimum of historic or other unnecessary detail. This was consistent with Goodhue's search for a new "American Style" of architecture which was to be evolved from, but not enslaved to, historic precedent. A small but impressive entrance vestibule leads to the main entrance or trophy hall. At the northeast end of this space the main open stairway which employs slate risers and treads and a wrought iron railing ascends to the third floor level. The stairwell passes a large Palladian window and an original brass chandelier hangs within this stairwell. From the southeast end of the trophy hall opposite the main stair, access is gained to the lecture hall. Originally designed to accommodate the presentations of original research done by members and talks given by guest lecturers, this lecture hall was often opened on these occasions to the student body of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Another function held annually within this space is the Christmas Banquet, long a tradition of the Society attended by many administration and faculty members of the Institute. The lecture hall, now commonly called the living room, contains a wood paneled inglenook directly on axis with and opposite the entrance from the trophy hall. A mechanical lift hoists fire wood from the cellar. French windows with semicircular transoms provide access to the front terrace. Walnut benches built above low radiators are a feature of this room. Two large oak tables are original to the living room.

The second floor of the clubhouse originally consisted of a long open study hall running the entire length of the building with each member being assigned a desk. Goodhue also designed the second floor to have a large drafting room, situated to make optimal use of natural lighting, five smaller study rooms for both quiet and group study, an infirmary, living quarters for a hired chef, and a large wood paneled library containing engineering periodicals, and original publications dating from the 1860's through to the early 1900's. The study hall configuration of the second floor of the clubhouse persisted until 1965 when the decision was made to partition the study hall into smaller study rooms. This remodeling remains the only significant change to the interior of the house.

The third floor of the clubhouse was designed to satisfy the dressing and sleeping needs of the membership and is, like the first floor, largely as it was designed in 1923. The floor contains a large dressing area consisting of original private enclosures for each member. The floor also contains a large shower and lavatory complex in addition to a sleeping dormitory.


Over the years the mechanical and electrical systems of the house have been gradually modernized. In 2000 the clubhouse roof was replaced for only the second time since its construction. Beginning in the Fall of 2009, renovations were done to the living room with $100,000 spent to fix plaster damaged by water leaks. The windows and doors were also replaced to enhance house security and allow for usage as the old ones were sealed shut. The purpose of the living room is not only for house functions, but is used to host guest speakers throughout the year. The goal is to eventually have a lecture series in the space. The living room is also the venue for the annual Holiday Banquet. Renovations to the clubhouse continued in 2013 as significant restoration work was performed on the building's exterior masonry features. The house's front brick patio was restored and its underlying steel reinforced concrete structure was repaired for the first time since its construction. Additional extensive repairs were conducted to replace damaged and cracked limestone trim stones.

Events and activities

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The historic house is an iconic image in the Rensselaer landscape. For this reason, RSE is a host to a variety of functions, both Greek and Academic. This includes the Annual Alumni Greek Chowderfest[4] Nearly every year since the construction of the clubhouse RSE has hosted a Holiday Banquet. The banquet has been a long standing tradition of the fraternity, in which each member invites one or two of their professors to attend. Invitations are also sent out to the RPI Board of Trustees and the current President of the Institute. Each year a speaker is asked to present on a topic of their choice.

Philanthropy activities

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The Rensselaer Society of Engineers donates many hours and dollars each year to both local and national charitable organizations. Through Children International, RSE has supported children in Colombia as they struggle to grow up in poverty.[5] RSE also hosts an annual breakfast to raise money for The Children's Miracle Network. This popular event involves the cooking of hundreds of breakfast sandwiches which are sold to students and delivered to various campus faculty and offices. Since the 1960's RSE has also proudly hosted an annual holiday party for local children through the Troy Boys and Girls Club.

RSE Scholarships

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The Rensselaer Society of Engineers offers a number of scholarships annually to its members.

  • The RSE-RPI Academic Scholarship is awarded to a sophomore and is applied by RPI to tuition for both the junior and senior years. It is based on excellence in the classroom.
  • The RSE-RPI Brotherhood Scholarship is awarded to a junior who has shown exceptional community, school, and fraternity spirit and involvement while maintaining strong academic success. It is applied by RPI to tuition for senior year.
  • The Becker Scholarship, in memory of Frank W. Becker ’83, is awarded to a sophomore who has shown exceptional dedication to RSE brotherhood. It is applied by the RSE Foundation to room and board for the junior year.
  • The Rudy Bergfield Scholarship was started by a substantial donation for Rudy Bergfield '49. This scholarship is for a member who is involved with athletics, is in good academic standing, who shows dedication to the RSE brotherhood. Rudy Bergfield was the captain of the men's lacrosse team during his years at RPI.

Notable alumni

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  • Sandford Fleming - Canadian railway engineer and inventor of worldwide standard time & early honorary member
  • William Metcalf - 1858 - American steel manufacturer & early honorary member
  • Leffert L. Buck - 1868 -American civil engineer and a pioneer in the use of steel arch bridge structures
  • John Hampden Randolph - 1870 - Confederate Civil War veteran and son of John Hampden and Emily Randolph, builders of Nottoway Plantation
  • Charles G. Roebling - 1871 - Designed and invented a 80 ton wire rope machine and founded the town of Roebling, New Jersey where the John A. Roebling's Sons company steel mill was built.
  • Don Carlos Young - 1879 - Son of Brigham Young, American architect and the Church Architect for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
  • Feramorz Little Young – 1879 – Son of Bringham Young and Lucy Decker. Railroad engineer and Mormon missionary to Mexico
  • Wilberforce Beecher Hammnond – 1879 – Inventor of an improved automatic sprinkler head
  • Robert Rufus Bridgers - 1879 - Railroad engineer and son of Robert Rufus Bridgers Confederate politician during the American Civil War
  • Ernesto Joaquin Balbin - 1882 - Chief of the Cuban Lighthouse board and erection supervisor for the Colorados Reef Lighthouse
  • Francis H. Bainbridge - 1884 - Railway engineer and designer of the Ashfork-Bainbridge Steel Dam, the first large steel dam in the world, and one of only three ever built in the United States
  • John M. Lockhart - 1887 - Son of one of the founders of Standard Oil, Lockhart lived his life as a Pittsburgh financier, steel maker, and benefactor with a passion for anonymity.
  • Eduardo Justo Chibás - 1888 - Prominent Cuban engineer and father of Eduardo Chibás
  • Edwin S. Jarrett - 1889 - Founding officer of The Foundation Company, America’s premier soils & foundation engineering firm of the early 20th Century. They designed and constructed the foundations for most of the tallest buildings in Manhattan (Trinity, Woolworth, Whitehall, Singer, Banker’s Trust, and Municipal Buildings).
  • Harry H. Rousseau - 1891 - Civil Engineer and Rear Admiral in the US Navy. Member of Isthmian Canal Commission
  • Matthew A. Hunter - 1908 - Honorary member, metallurgist and inventor of the Hunter process for producing titanium metal
  • Lester C. Higbee - 1912 - Brigadier General in the New York State National Guard and Commander to the upstate New York State Guard during WWII
  • Henry G. Taylor - 1913 - Rear Admiral US Navy during WWII
  • Archibald D. Hunter - 1930 - Commodore in the US Navy
  • Clayton O. Dohrenwend – 1931 – Former Rensselaer graduate school head and vice president and provost
  • Albert J. Fay - 1932 - Rear Admiral in the US Navy
  • Horace B. Jones - 1932 - Rear Admiral in the US Navy

Notes

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  1. ^ Rensselaer Magazine, June 2003: Go Greek! (page 4)
  2. ^ a b RSE JM Website
  3. ^ Pozzi, Lombard John (1974). Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue: A Brief Biography, His Evolution of Design Philosophy, and the Rensselaer Society of Engineers. Troy, New York: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
  4. ^ [1]
  5. ^ [2]
  6. ^ "Obituary for Mr Lombard John Pozzi". Samson Funeral Home. July 2013. Retrieved September 17th, 2013. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  7. ^ NASA - Frank Batteas
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42°43′47″N 73°40′32″W / 42.72972°N 73.67556°W / 42.72972; -73.67556


Category:1866 establishments in New York (state) Category:Fraternities and sororities Category:Student societies in the United States Category:Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Category:Local fraternities and sororities

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