POINT LOOKOUT, MO. — The College of the Ozarks James P. Keeter School of Engineering hosted the first Order of the Engineer Ceremony on Thursday, April 20, after their annual engineering awards ceremony.

The six-year-old engineering program was accredited by ABET in the fall of 2022, allowing College of the Ozarks graduating seniors and alumni to be inducted into the Order of the Engineer for the first time this spring. The induction ceremony includes receiving a stainless-steel ring after the inductees commit to ethically serve the profession and society.

Many engineering alumni returned for the inaugural ceremony to be inducted into the Order of the Engineer and receive their rings. 

College of the Ozarks Associate Professor of Engineering Josh Lippert 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 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. 

Two engineers graduated in December 2022, and nine plan to graduate this Saturday, May 6. 

“Our spring graduates are headed to industry and the Missouri Department of Transportation. They have accepted engineering positions in the KC area, the greater Joplin area, and Springfield,” said Mark Nowack, professor of engineering. “With this group, four companies plus the Missouri Dept. of Transportation will have hired multiple graduates — a significant endorsement that accounts for nearly a third of our 54 graduates as of this spring.” 

More about the Order of the Engineer

Modeled after the older Canadian Calling, 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 people 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 College of the Ozarks held for the first time this year. 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 the fall of 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 James P. Keeter School of Engineering is housed in the Dee Ann White Engineering Center. The building provides an effective learning center for the engineering students and staff. The project consists of an 8,800 square-foot facility (Phase One) and 7,700 square-foot renovation of an existing structure. This structure accommodates two large laboratories, classrooms, administrative offices, a student lounge and building support spaces. The second facility, Phase Two, accommodates five specialized workshops, additional administrative offices, and support spaces.

The third facility, Phase Three, was completed in 2021 and consists of an 11,800 square-foot addition that 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, one part-time faculty, and a lab director make up the core team serving the program. They are supported by students assigned to the engineering workstation.