For Parents
Triangle members benefit from a wide variety of academic resources. We hold a constantly-updated system of files within our house that contains information on almost any class that an engineering, architecture, or science major would take at the University. Older members are eager and willing to help younger members with material from classes that they have already taken, and often, members end up in the same classes at the same time - an obvious advantage in learning the material. We have found, time and time again in the past, that these built-in advantages lead to great academic success for our members and can be a far cry from many stereotypical ideas about a fraternity's impact on grades. Our alumni are also ready and willing to help members with career choices and to offer them any assistance they possibly can in finding jobs after graduation. Some of the companies that Triangle members are employed at, both as full-time workers and as interns or co-op students, include Honda, Wilson Sporting Goods, Kimberly Clark, Macintosh, IBM, Cognis Corporation, Keymat Technologies (London, England), Philips, and Motorola.
We find that Triangle's commitments to academic excellence and social balance have the added effect of improving members' time management skills, not ruining them. No one will deny that there is more for a person to do when he is a member of Triangle. There are more activities to participate in, more people to keep in touch with, and more obligations to fulfill - especially if your son chooses to become more involved in Triangle by being a chapter officer. However, the older members of Triangle are eager to help each new member grow into these responsibilities and learn better time management skills if they are lacking. We insist on making sure that every member keeps his priorities in order after joining, so that one day the newly-joined members will naturally become the ones to carry on this responsibility.
Triangle Fraternity has a strict anti-hazing policy and asserts that any student who pledges our fraternity will immediately and always be treated with respect and will not be subjected to any hazing practices whatsoever as a condition of membership or continued involvement with us. You don't need to spend nights awake wondering what's going on at Triangle as your son goes through the pledge process.
We've told you in the time management section about how Triangle promotes balance. We encourage our members to enjoy all free time they have after fulfilling any obligations. We don't encourage or allow our members to turn Triangle into Animal House - fun at Triangle must match the high standards that we make a part of our lives in general. This isn't fancy language; this is the way things are at our house. We all worked hard in high school and came to a university that is among the very best in what we do so that we could position ourselves for success after college, and we suppress influences that attempt to ruin years of hard work. If your son is coming into the Pennsylvania State University in engineering, architecture, or science, we'll assume this way of thinking isn't news to you.
One thing that many members of Triangle will tell you is that we are "a fraternity of non-fraternity people." We are a diverse group of individuals each with unique qualities they add to the fraternity. The brotherhood fosters friendships that last well beyond graduation. We encourage our members to become well rounded members of the Penn State community.Current Triangle members have been involved in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, ACM, Nittany Chemical Society, Bowling Club, Table Tennis Club, Society of Automotive Engineers, Photography Club, and Engineers for a Sustainable World.
Triangle provides many opportunities for leadership and personal growth. We have 14 elected offices with semester-long terms and several other appointed positions with flexible terms of service. Any member who wishes to become more involved in Triangle's day-to-day administrative affairs can easily do so. We encourage all members, especially our newer ones, to hold offices and contribute intelligent ideas toward our future. The opportunities for leadership and the emphasis on personal balance and development make Triangle a truly invaluable source of outside-the-classroom education.