The History of Trigon Engineering Society

Trigon Engineering Society had its beginnings in the student political system in the School of Engineering and Applied Science. In an effort to rid the School of its one-party political system, engineering students met in the spring of 1924 in Room 10, Cabell Hall to form a new society, the Delta Society. In the early twenties, there had been growing dissatisfaction with the student political organization. It was believed at that time that a "one party" tyranny existed, which attempted to overwhelm the opposition and place a select few in positions of power. On November 3, 1924, the Delta Society held it first official meeting in Room 17 West Lawn, the residence of Mr. Woods Stockton Walker, and continued to meet as the Delta Society until May 26, 1925 when it became the Trigon Society. During that first year, the Society quickly initiated its political involvement with its own party ticket in the Engineering School's elections. They met early success with a victory in their first election.

In April 1925, following a heated debate, the Society adopted fraternal and service activities to accompany its political interests. An initiation ceremony, which put each member under oath, was approved in order to prevent the members from joining similar organizations. The initiation fee that year was $1.00 for charter members and $2.00 for later initiates; dues were $.50 per term. In keeping with fraternal spirit, a pin, motto, handshake, and symbol were also adopted. The pin, as originally designed, was of gold base with a hypotenuse of forty-six sixtieths, shorter leg of twenty-five sixtieths, and longer leg of thirty-two sixtieths. The Greek letters Gamma, Delta, and Epsilon appeared on the shorter, longer, and longest sides respectively. In the midpoint of the triangular surface a red garnet was inset. The motto of Trigon comes from Hesiod's words: "Diligence Increaseth the Fruits of Toil." The handshake, along with other Society secrets, is described only during the initiation ceremony. The symbol of the Society is similar in design and proportion to the pin. Red was approved as the color of the Society, partly because it implied life and vigor, and partly because it had long been the emblem of the class, a symbol of insurgency and liberalism.

Trigon Engineering Society became the new name for the Trigon Society on September 29, 1925. Ewing G. Simpson, considered the founder of the Society, was elected the first president of Trigon. Both the Trigon shingle and symbol were designed by Mr. Simpson. Mr. Simpson lived in Room 17 from 1925 until 1929, and his residence remained the headquarters of the Society although the meetings had moved elsewhere after 1926. In the 1930's and 1940's, Trigon developed its characteristic involvement in the Engineering School and in the University. The Society became a close-knit group of "brothers" as the term "comrade" was dropped in the 1930's. The first Open House Visitation on March 1, 1936 was a significant success as three hundred visitors, guided by Trigon brothers, saw the newly built Thornton Hall. Recruiting and orienting students to the Engineering School was another important service project that served to strengthen the name of Trigon and the School. Trigon's political activities at the time were: 1) providing a ticket of Trigon members to run for school office, 2) helping in the actual election process, 3) sponsoring an open forum for all candidates to speak to the engineering students, 4) campaigning as a group for the election of certain candidates, and 5) presenting issues and platforms for the Engineering School.

The spirit of Brotherhood continued as Trigon acquired the house at 111 Harmon Street in Charlottesville during the 1940's. However, financial difficulties during World War II forced the Society to give up the house. On a better note, the Society took pride in its Alumni Scholarship Fund. Founded in 1942, the fund awarded $50.00 to the brother who had a dean's list average and had done the most for the Society.

During the 1950's, Trigon increased its services to the Engineering School in the form of gifts. The Society donated calculators and typewriters to the Engineering School Library as well as making $50.00 donations per semester for the purchase of books. Trigon's activity took on an international color in 1956. On December 11, the Hungarian Student Committee of Trigon allocated scholarship money to allow a Hungarian student to come to the United States. The Hungarian Student Scholarship provided moral support and social contact for the student and his whole family.

 In recognition of Trigon Engineering Society's continued activities, role in the School of Engineering and Applied Science and the Brotherhood's historical affiliation with 17 West Lawn, the University of Virginia designated that room as the "Trigon Room" in 1966. The room continues as the spiritual center for Trigon as well as a social center for many traditional gatherings. Each February, the Brotherhood elects a deserving member to occupy the room for the following school year. A bronze plaque, a gift from the 1978 pledge class, now hangs in the Trigon Room along with the current brotherhood composite above the mantle. It is tradition for the selected lawn room resident to leave a gift behind for the lawn room.

The addition of women to the University did not fail to affect the Society. "Rolls" to girls' schools became less important as women were seen not only at the University but also among the ranks of the previously all male Brotherhood. Since 1972, when the first female pledges were initiated, the female brothers of Trigon, as they prefer to be called, have served to broaden and strengthen the interests and commitment of the Society. The first woman president, Susan Byington, served in the spring of 1983. Under the guidance of Mr. Charles E. Echols, who replaced Mr. Tony Iachetta as faculty advisor in the mid 1960's, Trigon continued to grow. In response to a balanced political system in the School of Engineering and Applied Science, the political aspect of the Society was abandoned on March 20, 1980.

In April of 1982, Trigon established a new committee to administer the Margaret Elinor George Scholarship. Miss George's parents donated $10,000 to the Board of Visitors to create the permanent scholarship fund from which a deserving student, chosen on the basis of scholarship, leadership, character, and service, is given a partial scholarship. Miss George was a member of the 1976 pledge class.

Sadly, in the Fall of 1991, Mr. Charles Echols, the beloved faculty advisor of Trigon for over 25 years, passed away. Honorary brother, Dean Thomas Hutchinson, replaced him as Trigon's faculty advisor. Professor Hutchinson has offered his house for many events, including at least one BBQ each year and has helped Trigon through many tough decisions.

As Trigon looks toward the future, the membership plans to increase its traditional service to the University and the Charlottesville community. Activities co-sponsored by Trigon and various other engineering organizations will continue to unify the students of the Engineering School and increase their exposure to the engineering profession. The Society will strive to maintain its good reputation among the faculty, administration, and students, not by dwelling on past accomplishments, but by seeking stronger ties between brothers, alumni, the School and the community through future activities.

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Purposes of Trigon

Trigon was established in 1924 as a political organization. Through the years, Trigon has evolved and matured into a cohesive Brotherhood bound by similar goals and ambitions. The modern Trigon can be defined as a society which unites engineering students with a fraternal spirit, allowing them to derive the most from their "Cavalier Experience" while at the University and to give of themselves to the University and community.

Perhaps the most important part of Trigon is the fraternal spirit, which permeates the Brotherhood. Through a careful selection of pledges with diverse interests, but a similar desire to improve themselves, the Brotherhood, the Engineering School, and the University, Trigon remains a close-knit group. With Trigon setting the stage, many close and lasting friendships develop among the brothers.

With an organized group of people comes a powerful potential to accomplish worthwhile projects. In addition to Trigon-sponsored services, brothers also make significant contributions as individuals based on their Trigon experiences. With a willing, enthusiastic Brotherhood, Trigon contributes significantly to the University while simultaneously improving the Society and the individual.

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Service

Stemming from its political roots, Trigon quickly adopted the prong of service. Over the years, Trigon has been involved in many different types of service projects including recruiting and orienting first-year engineers, providing and overseeing financial assistance for engineering students, increasing the educational opportunities of the School of Engineering and Applied Science as a whole, constructing benches and walkways for the Engineering School, hosting Blood Drives, enhancing the appearance of the University, helping graduating engineers with job placement, and participating in various public service projects.

Many of the service objectives of the Brotherhood have been changed through the years, but the commitment to service always remains strong. The most important qualities in a service project are the degree to which the brothers can work together and the benefits which the project provides. Notoriety and fanfare are at the very bottom on the list of priorities. The Society is constantly looking for new ways to serve the Engineering School, the University, and the community.

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Social

Though Trigon was organized primarily as a political group, the need for social activities as a balancing factor soon developed. Social efforts of the Society began as large school-wide affairs and gradually became more society-oriented. Rolls, banquets, theme parties, rush, sports, and retreats are all part of Trigon's social make-up.

In its early days, Trigon endeavored to bring the Engineering School's students and faculty together with such things as "get acquainted" parties and school-wide dances. The Engineers' Ball was at one time co-sponsored by Trigon and Theta Tau, and the annual party for graduating students was once sponsored by Trigon. Eventually the Engineers' Ball and the Seniors' Party became too large for the brotherhood to handle and sponsorship was turned over to the Engineering Council.

Throughout Trigon's history, organized sports have served as a year-round activity for the Brotherhood. At one time, Theta Tau and Trigon maintained a fierce rivalry on the softball diamond and the gridiron. The Society has long maintained intramural teams including its mid-1930’s championship boxing team and 1987 championship razzle-dazzle team. More recently, the women claimed back-to-back ultimate frisbee championships in 1996 and 1997. In the fall of 1980, the Brotherhood added the semi-annual Trigon Invitational Tournament (golf) in which the lowest scorer earns the "cups" and the highest scorer earns the "training cups". The spring of 1985 saw the addition of the Bowling Invitational Tournament of Champions. In the tournament, which was held annually, the highest scorer receives the "Big Balls" certificate of recognition and the lowest scorer receives the "Little Balls" certificate. Trigon also added another tournament to its list of sporting events in the spring of 1986, the National Invitational Putt-Putt Lingerie Extravaganza where the winner and loser receive lingerie prizes. In an attempt to find a sport in which all the brothers could participate, sports chairs Mark Lepsch and Edwin Bertotti started the MEBJCC (Mark and Edwin's Big Jim's Challenge Challenge) in the fall of 1992, in which contestants went to Big Jim's restaurant and completed a "challenge" each week before the brotherhood meetings. Reports were given each week on the total number of "challenges" completed by each brother. In the spring of 1997, brothers Greg Barker and Jeff Davis organized and hosted the first Trigon Case Race, in which brothers compete in teams of three to finish a case. This event now occurs at least once a year.

At present, Trigon maintains a large number of social functions. The spring and fall retreats are among the highlights of the year. The retreats feature a pledge skit and a pledge vs. brother sporting event along with other entertainment provided by the pledges. In addition to the semi-annual retreats, Trigon also enjoys “midsummers” and a summer retreat. Furthermore, the Society holds a number of parties including progressives, pre-games, round-robins, return of bids, and initiation parties. Although Trigon does not try to replace other social organizations, due to the close friendships formed through Trigon, brothers often choose to spend their free time with their Trigon brothers.

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Rushing Trigon

In the spring of each year, there is a series of rush events to introduce interested students to Trigon. In addition, the brotherhood has also held fall rush during the years of 1996, 2000, and 2001. The brotherhood’s rush parties consist of a “Euphoria” party, started by Matthew Heller; “Caddyshack;” Wine and Cheese; and a “Graynne” party. Other smaller events include Jeff Hall, bowling, and Maarten’s on Tuesday nights. Rush culminates with a ball session to determine which rushees shall be offered a position in the upcoming pledge class.

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Pledging Trigon

Each year, early in the spring semester, Trigon holds rush. Any student in good standing (not on academic probation) in the School of Engineering and Applied Science is eligible to rush Trigon. There are no hard and fast rules governing who can get into Trigon and who cannot. In fact, one of the strengths of Trigon is the diversity of its brothers. Often a rushee will ask, "What do the brothers seek in a pledge?" Perhaps the best response is desire: a desire to work with one's peers, not only for the betterment of one's self, but also for the betterment of Trigon, the Engineering School, and the community. This desire, manifested in many forms among the brothers, along with mutual respect and friendship, drives the Society to achieve its goals.

After rush ends and bids have been given out and returned, the pledge period begins. The pledge period plays three essential roles. First, it gives the pledge an understanding of the internal workings of the Society, in particular the history and purposes of the Brotherhood. Second, it provides the pledges with the rewards derived from working with engineering students in a spirit of camaraderie. Finally, the pledge period allows the Brotherhood to view the pledges potential as a future brother by examining both the progress of the pledge class as a whole and as individuals.

The pledge period, which lasts approximately a semester, entails a number of duties and obligations. The pledges are expected to attend weekly pledge meetings, and, then at the Brotherhood meeting, traditionally give a Brother-Of-The-Week Award to the brother whose antics deserve recognition. The pledge class is also required to organize and execute a skit for the spring retreat and pledge service projects, which consists of three prongs: service to Trigon, the Engineering School, and the community. Throughout the pledge period, the pledges must participate in the "Hug-A-Brother" program. This program helps brothers and pledges to get acquainted with one another better and to build the fraternal spirit of Trigon as a whole. The pledge term culminates in "Hell Week", painting Beta Bridge, and, finally, the initiation ceremony.

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Past Trigon Presidents

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Residents of 17 West Lawn