TSPE Celebrates 90 Years

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TSPE is celebrating its 90th anniversary in 2026!

Society Formation

In the early 30s, there was a growing need from the engineering community for something more than technical assistance, an organization which could consider itself entirely with the advancement of the engineer as an ethical professional, a society which would emphasize public relations and business ethics. On May 10, 1936, the Texas Society of Professional Engineers and first chapter, the Travis Chapter, was officially formed.

With the formation of TSPE in 1936, a strong effort was launched during the 45th Legislature to introduce a bill that regulated the practice of engineering in Texas. Less than a year later, the New London School disaster took place on March 18, 1937, and the Engineering Registration Act was quickly signed into law on May 28, 1937.

Notable Historical Events

  • 1945: A significant legislative accomplishment – TSPE endorsed and saw passed the State Retirement Act which provided a retirement fund for state employees, many of which were engineers.

  • 1954: TSPE comprises a special Water Education Committee to study the importance of sound water development and calling for more adequate funds for the Texas Board of Water Engineers and the Water Resources Committee. TSPE published and distributed a booklet on their findings, and the Texas Education Agency went on to reprint and distribute more than double the original amount.

  • April 22, 1975: Senate Bill 74 was signed into effect by Governor John Connally and witnessed by TSPE President Kenneth E. Esmond and TSPE President-Elect Robert L. Nichols. The bill called for engineers to assume new responsibilities to the state and public and changed the name of the Engineering Registration Act to the Engineering Practices Act. The bill also gave enforcement power to the State Licensing Board.

  • June 1968: The Texas Society of Professional Engineers Educational Foundation, renamed to the Texas Engineering Foundation, officially launched.

  • November 1970: TSPE announces the recipient of the first TSPE Young Engineer of the Year award, to Ervin S. Perry, P.E., Ph.D. – an accomplished civil engineer and the first black faculty member at the University of Texas at Austin.

  • June 12, 1975: President Frank J. Metyko’s presents the first TSPE Engineer of the Year award (then called the Outstanding Engineer award) to Harry E. Bovay, Jr., P.E.

  • November 10, 1975: The Political Action Committee for Engineers (PACE) is officially formed.

TSPE continues to work with the engineer’s best interest in mind – protecting the engineering license in Texas, promoting engineering to students and providing scholarships, and providing engineers with opportunities for continuing education, networking, and outreach.

Thank you to the TSPE History Book covering the 1930s-1970s of notable events.