The Order of the Engineer
Order and Purpose
The Order of the Engineer was initiated in the United States to
foster a spirit of pride and responsibility in the engineering profession, to bridge the
gap between training and experience, and to present to the public a visible symbol
identifying the engineer.
The first ceremony was held on June 4, 1970 at Cleveland State
University. Others like it have since spread across the United States at which graduate
and registered engineers are invited to accept the Obligation of the Engineer and to wear
a stainless steel ring. The ceremonies are conducted by Links (local sections) of the
Order.
The Obligation is a creed similar to the oath attributed to
Hippocrates (460-377 B.C.) that is generally taken by medical graduates and which sets
forth an ethical code. The Obligation likewise, contains parts of the Canon of Ethics of
major engineering societies. Initiates, as they accept it voluntarily, pledge to uphold
the standards and dignity of the engineering profession and to serve humanity by making
the best use of Earth’s precious wealth.
The Order is not a membership organization; there are never any
meetings to attend or dues to pay. Instead, the Order does foster a unity of purpose and
the honoring of one’s pledge lifelong.
The Obligation of the Order of the Engineer is similar to the
Canadian "Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer" initiated there in 1926. It uses
a wrought iron ring, conducts a secret ceremony, and administers an oath authorized by
Rudyard Kipling. The extension of the Ritual outside Canada was prevented by copyright and
other conflicting factors. |
