POINT LOOKOUT, MO. — The College of the Ozarks James P. Keeter School of Engineering hosted the fourth Order of the Engineer Ceremony on Tuesday, April 14, following their annual engineering awards ceremony.
The nine-year-old engineering program was accredited by ABET in fall 2022, allowing College of the Ozarks graduating seniors to be inducted into the Order of the Engineer. The induction ceremony includes receiving a stainless steel ring after the inductees commit to ethically serve the profession and society.
Fifteen engineering seniors and one additional inductee, Walt Phillips, grandfather of student Allen Marx, were inducted into the Order of the Engineer and received their rings. Ten of the seniors will graduate in May, and five will graduate in December.
The following inductees:
- Katarina Berndt of Branson, Missouri
- Molly Botta of Roach, Missouri
- Caleb Coombe of Marshall, Arkansas
- Alex Frizzell of Troy, Missouri
- Alexander Hemann of Osage, Iowa
- Judson Huff of Crane, Missouri
- Timothy Isaacson of Richmond, Missouri
- Jordan Kroge of Kearney, Missouri
- Teagan Lawler of Strafford, Missouri
- Allen Marx of League City, Texas
- Xavier Oduor of Nairobi, Kenya
- Walt Phillips of League City, Texas
- Jonathan Rinchack of Apache Junction, Arizona
- Drew Rose of Waterloo, Illinois
- Claire Russom of Paragould, Arkansas
- Elijah Sidebottom of Parsons, Kansas
College of the Ozarks Professor of Engineering Geoff Akers administered the Obligation. Local engineer and past president of the Missouri Society of Professional Engineers Matt Bedinghaus bestowed the rings, and a blessing for each new ring bearer was offered by Dr. Daniel Chinn, professor of biblical and theological studies.
Along with the Order of the Engineer Ceremony, the annual engineering awards ceremony honors friends of the engineering department who have contributed to the success of the program, as well as students who have received academic awards, internship scholarships, and students who are being formally admitted into the engineering program.
“Joining the Order of Engineers and receiving the ring is a meaningful rite of passage for our graduating engineers,” said Bruno Korst, engineering laboratory director. “It signifies their accomplishments and reminds them of their obligation to use their knowledge, skills, and abilities to benefit their neighbors and their responsibility to their colleagues.”
More about the Order of the Engineer
Modeled after the older Canadian Calling of an Engineer, the Order of the Engineer is a U.S. organization of graduating engineering students and practicing engineers who pledge to uphold the highest ethical standards in their engineering practice. Engineers also pledge to foster camaraderie that encourages all practicing engineers to excel in their calling to serve others through engineering.
The pledge, or Obligation, is a creed akin to the Hippocratic oath used in the medical profession. Once the Obligation is taken, engineers receive an Engineer’s Ring at a ceremony such as the annual ceremony at College of the Ozarks. The stainless-steel ring is worn on the fifth finger of the working hand.
More about the James P. Keeter School of Engineering at College of the Ozarks
In fall 2016, the James P. Keeter School of Engineering was launched as an answer to inquiring students who yearned for a chance to experience the world of engineering and learn its complexities. The engineering program is housed in the Dee Ann White Engineering Center. The 28,000-square-foot facility includes specialized laboratories and associated systems, flexible classroom space, and administrative offices.
The Dee Ann White Engineering Center Building was named after Dee Ann White, daughter of the late Arthur White and his wife, Ruth Ann White of Springfield, Missouri. The Whites devoted their lives to philanthropy to directly help others, especially young people. Five full-time faculty members, one part-time faculty member, and a lab director make up the core team serving the program. They are supported by students assigned to the engineering workstation.