IEEE-HKN: The new international ECE honor society

It has been proposed that Eta Kappa Nu (HKN), the honor society for electrical and computer engineering (ECE) students, be moved into the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE.) The primary motivation has been stated to be enhanced financial stability, but the challenge that has been immediately recognized is the opportunity to expand the Society´s membership beyond its current geographical base in the United States to the IEEE´s international range. The paper and presentation briefly review HKN´s history and mission, and its traditional role in US ECE departments. This is followed by a summary of its current status, and reasons for the proposed administrative changes at this time. Details of the proposal are covered, with a brief mention of some of the issues being raised as it is being debated. Finally, the main purpose of the ISSE presentation is addressed, i.e. the opportunity for European IEEE student branches to work with the rapidly growing local chapters of the IEEE Education Society to establish HKN chapter within the Student Branches.