Last year, from March 26-30, the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) held their 40th annual convention at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, TN. Twenty-four engineering students from Drexel’s NSBE Chapter were in attendance at the event. This would not have been possible without the generosity of College of Engineering Dean Joseph B. Hughes, who provided the students with a grant. With this gift, the students were able to participate in the conference and gain valuable knowledge and experience.
Aleah Kenner, a junior in Biomedical Engineering who attended the conference, said, “It was my first time in Nashville and my first time at the NSBE National Convention. The convention offers many talks about engineering, technology, and STEM. There were also discussions about being and becoming a leader, as well as career opportunities.”
The students from Drexel’s NSBE Chapter were extremely grateful for the opportunity that Hughes and the College of Engineering provided them, so much so that the students gifted the Dean with a handmade scrapbook. The scrapbook included photos of the students at the event, thank you letters from the students, and plenty of colorful imagery and craftiness.
“The scrapbook was the idea of our president, Tianna Bennett. She wanted something that provided insight into our time at the convention, as well as allow the members who went a chance to say, ‘Thank you,’” explained Kenner. The mission of the National Society of Black Engineers is to increase the number of culturally responsible black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally, and positively impact the community. Thanks to the help of Dean Hughes and the College of Engineering, Drexel’s NSBE is continuing to achieve that goal.
Photo (from left to right): Aleah Kenner, junior in Biomedical Engineering, Dean Joseph B. Hughes, Tianna Bennett, senior in Biomedical Engineering, and Tyler Reynolds, Sophomore in Computer Engineering. Dean Hughes can be seen holding the scrapbook that he received from the students.