In 1971, two Purdue undergraduate students, Edward Barnette (now deceased) and Fred Cooper
 approached the dean of engineering at Purdue University with the idea 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 freshmen 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 fledgling group gained momentum in 1974,
 with the direction and encouragement of Bond and the active participation of the young men whose
 destinies were to become the founders of NSBE. Now known as the "Chicago Six," these men are
 Anthony Harris, Brian Harris, Stanley L. Kirtley, John W. Logan, Jr., Edward A. Coleman, and
 George A. Smith.
 
 Encouraged by their on-campus success, Anthony Harris, president of the Purdue chapter, wrote a
 letter to the presidents and deans of every accredited engineering progam in the country (288),
 explained the Society of Black Engineers (SBE) concept and asked them to identify black student
 leaders, and organization as well as faculty members who might support their efforts on a national
 level. Approximately 80 schools responded. Many had black-student organizations with similar
 objectives. A date was set for the first national meeting and 48 students representing 32 schools
 attended the event which was held April 10 to 12 in 1975. Harris also changed the organizations'
 nomenclature from the BSE to the Society of Black Engineers.

 It was at that historic meeting meeting through majority vote that the Society of Black Engineers
 became the National Society of Black engineers. The familiar NSBE symbol "N" with the lightning-
 bolt was chosen and still remains a distinctly recognizable symbol; it represents the premier
 technical organization for African American engineering students and professionals. NSBE was eventually
 incorporated in Texas, in 1976, as 501©3 non-profit organization. John Cason, also of Purdue,
 servedas the first elected president of NSBE. The organization grew and Virginia Booth became the first
 female National Chairperson as well as the first to serve two terms (1978-1980).
 
 The torch symbolizes members' burning, everlasting desire to achieve success in a competitive society
 and positively affect the quality of life for all people. The lightning-bolt represents the striking
 impact that will be felt by the society and industry due to the contributions and accomplishments made
 by the dedicated members of the National Society of Black Engineers.

 NSBE has since grown from six to 10,000 members and the annual meeting has blossomed into the Annual
 National Convention, hosting over 8,000 attendees. NSBE has 17 NSBE Jr. pre-college, 268 student and
 50 alumni/technical professional chapters. With its headquarter in Alexandria, VA, NSBE offers academic
 excellence programs, scholarships, leadership training, professional development and access to career
 opportunities for thousands of members annually. And, with over 2,000 elected leadership positions, 12
 regional conferences and an annual convention, NSBE provides opportunities for success that remains
 unmatched by any other organization.