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In 1904, the vision of the HKN founders, Maurice Carr and nine fellow students at the University of Illinois, was to promote the highest ideals of the engineering profession. They could not foresee the vibrant, global society that HKN would become, with over 279 university chapters around the globe helping over 200,000 inductees achieve professional growth and success along their entire career journeys. 

As IEEE-HKN celebrates its 120th anniversary, the dynamic nature of the honor society is demonstrated by its welcoming of six new chapters this year as well as the offering of an alumni-graduate student mentoring program. This growth has been made possible with the generosity and vision of HKN donors through the Chapter Success Initiative which enables HKN to support new and dormant chapters and chapter leaders as well as its annual Student Leadership Conference.  

In recognition of its 120th Anniversary, IEEE-HKN held special events throughout the year, including the first ever International Hackathon with students from around the world competing to solve engineering problems for both prizes and bragging rights and a virtual Fireside Chat with HKN Eminent Members, Vint Cerf and Bob Kahn, hosted by Karen Panetta, 2019 HKN President. HKN alumni have also been gathering at IEEE events across the United States and Canada during the year, including SoutheastCon Region 3 Conference in Atlanta, GA, USA, IEEE Life Members Conference in Austin, TX, USA, IEEE International Conference on Communications in Denver, CO, USA, the IEEE Power & Energy Society General Meeting in Seattle, WA, USA, IEEE World Safety Forum in Washington D.C., USA, and at the June IEEE Meeting Series in Toronto, Canada. 

As has been the case for over 120 years, IEEE-HKN’s success is made possible by the commitment of its volunteers and donors who give their time and expertise to nurture the next generation of engineering professionals, positioning them to solve humanity’s largest challenges. Matteo Alasio, HKN alumni member and former President of the Mu Nu chapter at the Politecnico Di Torino in Turin, Italy shares, “My favorite part of being an HKN member is the sense of community. Being part of a big family that works together to help students and promote professional development is incredibly fulfilling. It’s inspiring to collaborate with others who are dedicated to making a positive impact.”  

Maybe Maurcie Carr could not foresee all the ways in which HKN would grow to support its students and the engineering profession, but he certainly set the stage stating, “Eta Kappa Nu grew because there have always been many members who have been willing and eager to serve it loyally and unselfishly.”
To support HKN, visit the IEEE Foundation’s IEEE-HKN donation webpage and make an impact.

*Top photo: IEEE-HKN current and former board members cut the cake at a the 2024 Life Members Conference in Austin, TX, USA