About Us
What is HKN?
Eta Kappa Nu (HKN) is the National Honor Society for Electrical and Computer Engineers. Members consist of students, alumni, and other professionals who have demonstrated exceptional academic and professional accomplishments. Student members are selected on the basis of scholastic standing, character, and leadership. As a non-profit organization based in the islands of Hawai‘i, our mission is to encourage excellence within the electrical and computer engineering fields, as well as providing service to our community through volunteering and community service projects.
History
Eta Kappa Nu (HKN) is the result of the vision of Maurice L. Carr, an electrical engineering student at the University of Illinois. He shared that vision with nine other students who together founded the organization on October 28, 1904. The original perspective regarding qualifications for membership was that scholarship was important but that the selection of students with the character and attitude that would make them probable leaders in the profession was even more important. This whole matter of required qualifications for membership was debated in the early years, with the conclusion that HKN would be an Electrical Engineering Honor Society and that scholarship should be the primary requirement, with character and other personal attributes secondary.
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