FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - For the third time in five years, the University of Arkansas chapter of the industrial engineering honor society Alpha Pi Mu, has been named the best in the country for 2002 by the society’s national organization. The UA group has consistently placed in the top two spots since 1997, taking first place nationally in 2000 and 1997, and second place in 1998 and 1999. Selection for the award is based on the chapter membership’s scholarship, leadership, community work and ethics.

"This honor reflects the commitment of the chapter’s 2001-2002 officers, the guidance of our advisor, Dr. John Imhoff, and the efforts of the industrial engineering faculty and staff who strive to bring out the best in our students," said Jeff Eason, industrial engineering senior and Alpha Pi Mu president during the award period.

Local membership is open to junior and senior industrial engineering majors who are ranked in the top of their respective class. The 26-member UA chapter has been involved in a number of civic activities including park cleanups, voter registration, and food drives for the Salvation Army, Bread of Life and the Women’s Shelter.

The group has also developed a number of programs designed to assist aspiring engineers gain the knowledge and experience necessary for successful careers and members serve as mentors in the industrial engineering department’s Students Helping Undergraduate Retention (S.H.U.R.). Focused on raising the retention rate of the department, the H.H.U.R. program offers weekly tutoring hours and special study sessions for industrial engineering freshmen and sophomores.

The national Alpha Pi Mu organization has 73 chapters located in colleges of engineering across the country.