A Golden Chapter
Photo above (L - R): Andreas Forand, Ethan Snyder, Kayla Franchetti, Hannah Reeve, Lucas Varley, Luka Wrabetz, and Dr. Lisa Maillart at the regional conference at the University of Buffalo.
Anyone who has played bar trivia understands the camaraderie that can develop around a table as players strain to place an obscure quote—or as that one player with the uncanny knowledge of musicals, military history, or Marvel superheroes carries the team to victory in the final round.
The spirit of camaraderie has thrived in the University of Pittsburgh’s Institute of Industrial & Systems Engineers (IISE) student chapter, which hosted its own trivia night among other events that fostered community and created opportunities for industrial engineering (IE) students to excel. In recognition of this engagement across Pitt’s campus and beyond, IISE recognized the chapter with a 2025 Frank F. Groseclose Gold Award, its highest honor.
“We held our first trivia night this year, with students and professors participating. It was a fun evening that brought people together,” said Ethan Snyder, president of the chapter. “We got a trophy for the winning team, and we’re going to make it a yearly tradition now.”
Along with trivia, the chapter held several general body meetings where students networked with peers, participated in interview and resume workshops, and prepared for exams. The chapter also organized its annual formal and its fall fest, a barbecue hosted off campus by an IE professor.
The chapter helped organize the annual IE career fair as well, with over 20 companies including Deloitte, Connors Group, PNC, and UPS visiting Benedum Hall to meet students and discuss co-op and career opportunities.
“I received my co-op position at the career fair,” Snyder said. “Seeing fellow students land co-ops and jobs at the event, seeing the tangible effects—it’s inspiring.”
To provide new opportunities for students to grow professionally, Pitt’s student chapter this year worked with the national IISE chapter to provide an asynchronous, online Lean Six Sigma Certification course, a prestigious industry certification which builds problem-solving skills.
Members also attended the spring ISE regional conference at the University of Buffalo. Since hosting a regional conference two years ago, Pitt’s IISE chapter has participated in these events, traveling to universities to network and attend talks.
“We had such a great experience,” Snyder said. “We met engineering students from across our region and made connections.”
“I love working with students and seeing them take off,” said Scott Streiner, assistant professor of industrial engineering and faculty advisor for the student chapter. “Having been an undergraduate and a PhD student at Pitt, I have a deep connection here and am always an ambassador for industrial engineering. This chapter represents the energy and strong community around IE.”
For graduation this year, the chapter introduced another way to celebrate that community: they bought cords and stoles for IE graduates. “One professor, on her own time, even printed the Pitt ISE logo on the stoles,” said Snyder. “Everyone is in it together, wanting to help. The students loved it.
“We’ve only received the Gold Award five times in the past twenty-five years,” he added. “When I heard the news, I was so happy for all the students and faculty who helped make this year so special. It’s a group effort—and our faculty advisor and all the IE professors help make these special opportunities happen.”