About Beta Chapter

History

In the spring of 1904, a spark ignited at the University of Illinois, where Maurice L. Carr founded Eta Kappa Nu, establishing the inaugural Alpha Chapter. From this single point, HKN has grown into a powerful network of over 200 active collegiate chapters and a dozen alumni communities, fostering excellence across the landscape of electrical and computer engineering.

Just two years later, in 1906, Purdue University became home to the second HKN chapter – our very own Beta Chapter. However, this promising beginning faced an unexpected hurdle: a university-wide prohibition on fraternal organizations. Demonstrating unwavering commitment to its members, the national HKN responded by temporarily withdrawing the Beta charter, assuring its Purdue members that they would remain part of the HKN family through the "chapter at large," known as Eta Chapter. This early chapter, existing in spirit and connection, highlights the enduring bond of the HKN community.

By 1913, the value and impact of an HKN presence became clear, leading the Purdue Electrical Engineering administration to request a formal charter. Thus, Beta Chapter was joyfully reinstated, marking a significant moment in our history. Today, Beta Chapter thrives with around 200 members, over 60 of whom are actively shaping our initiatives. We proudly operate the HKN Lounge in BHEE 138, offering affordable coffee, snacks, and a central hub for our community. Beyond the lounge, we actively collaborate with other Purdue organizations and the broader ECE community to host engaging social events, impactful volunteering activities, and valuable career preparation opportunities. Our consistent recognition through multiple chapter awards stands as a testament to Beta Chapter's vibrant engagement and significant contributions to the Purdue community.

Learn more about IEEE-HKN at hkn.ieee.org

Read more about Beta Chapter's history on the timeline page

HKN Beta Chapter Committee Members

Elijah Jorgensen

President

Sydney Kammerer

Vice President

Noah Rediker

Treasurer

Tiana Lin

Recording Secretary

Adhiksit Kalra

Events Director

Ryan Wurtz

Facilities Director

Thomas Munson

Operations Director

Marty Martin

Public Relations Director

Spencer Bowles

Recruitment Director

Justin Nagovskiy

Volunteer Director

Timothy Hein

Lab Director