Epsilon Pi Tau

Epsilon Pi Tau, National Honorary Fraternity in Practical Arts and Vocational Education was founded by professor William E. Warner at Ohio State University on March 13, 1929. It was created as an honorary fraternity for students in vocational education and practical arts. Its "purpose was to recognize and promote leadership through an emphasis on skill, social efficiency, and research." Warner also wanted to elevate the profession's prestige.

Warner, who had established the Ph.D. program in industrial arts at Ohio State, worked with his graduate students and industry connections to create the fraternity's by-laws and constitution. The original officers included Warner, E. L. Bowman, H. J. Davison, and O. E. Sink. Bowman developed the fraternity's initiation ritual. Warner served as the organization's executive secretary from 1929 until he died in 1971.

The fraternity became national with the establishment of its Beta chapter at Ball State University in 1931. It published The Epsilon Pi Tau Review from 1930 to 1934.

Epsilon Pi Tau was incorporated on April 15, 1942, in the State of Ohio as a nonprofit honorary professional fraternity. It began admitting women in 1945. In 1993, the organization changed its incorporation from an honorary fraternity to an "honorary for professions in technology; it became "the international honor society for professions in technology" in 2003. Epsilon Pi Tau became a member of the Association of College Honor Societies in 2005.

As of 2024, Epsilon Pi Tau has initiated more than 100,000 members since its establishment. It has chartered more than 125 chapters at four-year and two-year colleges and universities. The society was based in Columbus, Ohio, for 45 years. Its international headquarters is at Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio.