Student Receives Tau Beta Pi Honor Society Scholarship

MELBOURNE, FLA.—Carolina Penteado, a Florida Institute of Technology mechanical engineering student, recently received a scholarship from Tau Beta Pi, an engineering honor society. A total of 102 students from across the country were recognized with this honor; Penteado is one of only two selected from Florida.

Currently a junior with a 4.0 grade point average, Penteado’s life-long dream is to work in the commercial aviation industry. She plans to pursue a master’s degree in aerospace structures and materials through Florida Tech’s Fast Track program, which allows undergraduates to complete their graduate degrees at an accelerated pace.

A Brazilian native, Penteado graduated with a dual diploma from the American School of Campinas in 2007. In 2009, during her sophomore year at Florida Tech, she received the Outstanding Student Award in aerospace and mechanical engineering. In addition to her membership in Tau Beta Pi, Penteado is a member of the Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society and the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi.

Penteado’s passion for aircraft has led to her involvement in an aerospace capstone project. She will lead a team that will work with Royal Atlantic Aviation to study the Cessna 441, the first turboprop airplane designed by Cessna.

Founded at Lehigh University in 1885 by Dr. Edward Higginson Williams Jr., Tau Beta Pi is the only engineering honor society representing the entire engineering profession. The association aims to recognize undergraduate students in the field of engineering who have displayed exemplary character and academic achievement. Currently, there are 236 college and university chapters around the country with a total initiated membership of 514,265.

The Florida Tech chapter was established in 1986 and currently has a total of 751 members.