Our History

The Louisiana Tech Engineers' Association (LTEA) can be traced back to the first Engineers’ Week in 1934. The goal of this organization was to promote a stronger sense of unity between students in various disciplines within the College of Engineering, as it was called at the time. Before this time, engineers participated in societies specific to their field. In 2005, the association voted to change its name to the Louisiana Tech Engineering and Science Association (ESA). Today, every student in the College of Engineering and Science is an automatic member of ESA. Dues were originally collected to cover the costs of the Tech Engineer, a publication for engineering students and alumni. The magazine was published from 1939 until 1991. This publication was a source for engineering society news. It also kept track of alumni, students, faculty, and programs. Today, the magazine is called The Engineer and Scientist (E&S). The purpose of the magazine is to provide information to students and alumni about all disciplines in the College of Engineering and Science. Throughout LTEA’s early history, the biggest event planned was Engineers’ Week, which occured during the winter/spring. Two events central to Engineers' Week were Engineers’ Day and the Engineers' Ball.

Engineers’ Day was started in 1938 for high school students and other interested parties to learn about engineering at the Louisiana Polytechnic Institute. One of the traditions surrounding this event is the Welding of the Link. The Welding of the Link ceremony symbolizes the ending of each years Engineers’ Week festivities, the first link being attached to the Engineers’ Day castle. First cast for the 1936 Engineers' Day at Louisiana Polytechnic Institute, the Engineer's Castle and chain was the centerpiece for the Engineers' Ball. After another successful Engineers' Day, the castle was brought out into the center of the old gymnasium and another link was welded to the chain, marking that year's achievements. The castle and chain were then left on display for all to see, while the ceremonies of the Engineers' Ball began.

The castle used today dates to sometime before 1935. It is a replica of castle of the Army Corps of Engineers. When Bogard Hall was renovated in 1982, the original castle and chain were lost; consequently, the only known surviving remnant of the castle that Tech had used from 1936 until 1982 was a wooden mold used to set the casting process for the Engineers' Day castle. Still, the tradition continues. At Engineering and Science Day 2006, the 63rd link was welded to the chain, marking the 63rd year of Engineers' Day. LTEA was dissolved in the early 1990’s, and did not exist again until a concerned group of students felt the need to resurrect the society in 1998. Since its resurrection, the LTEA (now ESA) has grown by leaps and bounds. In addition to Engineering and Science Day, the Association has created GumboFest (2001), taken on major service opportunities, and restarted the college magazine.