In fall 2020, Michael Errichetti, a supply chain and information systems student at the Smeal College of Business, had a thought.
Considering the prestige, honor and legacy of Smeal, Errichetti couldn’t help but wonder why one of the top five supply chain programs in the country didn’t have an honor society. An established honor society is a testament to the legacy of a program and an extension of its resourcefulness.
As the leaves changed colors on the University Park campus, Errichetti spearheaded the honor society now known as Sigma Chi Mu Tau. Founded by Errichetti, the society has been officially recognized by the national chapter as the Gamma chapter which was erected in 2017 by the University of Arkansas.
All students who enter the society must adhere to the national chapter standards, including being a permanently declared supply chain major with a 3.8 cumulative GPA as well as ranking in the top 10% of their respective grades.
In spring 2020, 68 students were inducted into Sigma Chi Mu Tau’s founding cohort. During the ceremony, inductees received an address from Kevin Linderman, Supply Chain & Information Systems (SC&IS) department chair, and Charles Whiteman, dean of the Penn State Smeal College of Business.
The society serves to connect members to a network of industry executives who are invited to share their responsibilities, challenges, and perseverance in resolving pragmatic supply chain dilemmas with the group six to eight times each semester.
“One of the most revered aspects to our constituents is the supply chain simulations we facilitate, whether it be about procurement, forecasting, or demand fulfillment,” said Errichetti. “These students congregate to apply their knowledge and understanding of supply chain outside the classroom, trying to resolve scenarios and bounce ideas off of each other that will further their education and mold them to become more erudite supply chain leaders.”
As the society solidified their network, the students were able to attend impactful leadership events such as the 2021 CSCMP Edge Conference and the 2021 NASPO Conference this past September.
NASPO (National Association of State Procurement Officials) brings together chief procurement officers from all 50 states to network and partner over the challenges, solutions and decisions facing the procurement industry at large.
Sigma Chi Mu Tau members attend NASPO
Members of Sigma Chi Mu Tau had an opportunity to meet with a NASPO representative during the spring SC&IS career fair. Due to the impressive resume of their collective members, the team was invited to be the first student organization to attend the NASPO ValuePoint conference.
Jacob Krantweiss, treasurer of the society, found the experience more than profound.
“Being able to connect with such inspiring leaders allowed us to notice where there are areas of opportunity in our current curriculum to discuss the latest updates in the procurement industry,” he explained. “The best part was being able to bring back and present this feedback back in hopes of improving the knowledge shared to all supply chain students.”
The SC&IS Department and the Center of Supply Chain Research® have actively supported the pioneering society in their professional development journeys and ability to influence supply chain education at Penn State. As such, Linderman invited the society to present their findings from NASPO and the CSCMP Edge Conference at the October SC&IS faculty meeting so that they may impact the college’s curriculum and allow the students to have a hand in their education.
“The tenacity of the faculty is truly admirable; they have been nothing but supportive helping to foster our growth in supply chain excellence,” Errichetti said. “The resources, opportunities, funding, time, and compassion they demonstrate are the reasons why our recognition and influence proliferated in just over a year of establishment.”
Maria Karamanos, secretary of Sigma Chi Mu Tau, is excited to see how the organization will continue to grow in both its roots and knowledge— allowing high-achieving students to have a niche network they can tap into.
“I believe this society will attract more attention from employers and interested alumni, while providing an exciting goal for students to work towards,” she said. “This is such an incredible opportunity for young supply chain leaders to carve a space for themselves in the industry.”