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Noel Tavan, a junior in the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering at Portland State University, is one of 27 mechanical engineering students in the nation to be awarded the 2006-2007 Tau Beta Pi Scholarship Award. Tau Beta Pi scholarships are awarded on the competitive criteria of high scholarship, campus leadership and service, and promise of future contributions to the engineering profession. As the current Oregon Tau Beta chapter treasurer and future vice president, Noel's strong commitment to being a positive impact on his local community and his dedication to academic excellence is noticed by both his professors and peers. Current Oregon Tau Beta Pi President, Scott Felton, describes Noel as, "a hard-working individual, who strives to be the best. He has a great personality and great dedication toward priorities."

With this award Noel will not only have additional financial support toward his senior year of engineering studies but also the recognition as one of only 27 mechanical engineering students in the nation for demonstrating such a high level of dedication and academic excellence. Planning to graduate summa cum laude in both mechanical engineering and mathematics, Noel is focused upon earning a master's degree and potentially a Ph.D. in order to continue to allow his knowledge to serve the community.

Tau Beta Pi is the national engineering honor society, founded at Lehigh University in 1885. It has collegiate chapters in 230 engineering colleges in the United States, including Portland State University, and active alumni chapters in 17 cities. It has initiated more than 482,000 members in its 121-year history and is the world's largest engineering society. For further information, please visit the national Tau Beta Pi web site or visit Portland State University's local Oregon Beta Chapter.