In September, we will be entering the second half of 2004.  I would like to invite all members to take the opportunity for the remainder of this year to become active within the section.  We have lined up some interesting speakers and have several activities in the works for the remainder of the year.  These activities are designed to enhance members personally and professionally.  Come and join us at the next section meeting on September 23, 2004!           

On behalf of the section, I congratulate the newest Senior Members in the Houston Section, Carl Brunner and Edward Knightly.  For the year, nine (9) members have been elevated to the Senior Member grade.  While that number is respectable, that certainly is far from all of you.  So where are the rest?  Senior Membership is important to the individual and the section and I urge everyone who meets the qualifications to submit an application.  Members qualified for Senior Membership are those with ten (10) years of professional practice including five (5) years of significant performance and references (see the nominator letter and application form for clarification on the IEEE website).  If you qualify and are not a Senior Member, please reply to one of the section EXCOM members.  We will make sure you get nominated.

To date, we have not received any scholarship applications.  The deadline is not far away, July 3, 2004.  It will be a shame if we were not able to award any scholarships this year.  We have five (5) $1,000 scholarships to award.  Both incoming freshman and returning students are eligible.  Please fill out an application today; you just might be our next scholarship winner.  Visit the website for more information (http://www.ieee-houston.org/).

If you are interested in getting involved in the local IEEE section, let us know, volunteer members are always needed.  As I mentioned in my message last month, one of our members, Peri Ktonas, will be leaving us this month for retirement in Greece.  While Region 5, and notably, the Houston Section, will be losing a very dedicated member, Region 8 will be gaining one.  As Peri mentioned, the IEEE experience has been wonderful for him.  He certainly has enjoyed it and, as you can see, he will continue to volunteer his time and efforts to IEEE. 

I encourage all of you to become more active and see firsthand the rewards and benefits your membership gives you.  It is a great way to network with professionals within the electrical engineering community.  With approximately 4,300 members, we are one of the larger sections within IEEE.  Join us at one of the upcoming meetings; we look forward to meeting you.