USCA Engineering Students Make History with Landmark Induction into the Order of the Engineer

Fourteen senior engineering students at the University of South Carolina Aiken have made history, becoming the first group inducted into the newly established Order of the Engineer chapter (called a Link) on campus.

This prestigious organization, founded in the United States in 1970, fosters a deep sense of pride in the engineering profession, bridges the gap between academic study and real-world practice, and serves as a distinguished symbol of ethical responsibility and expertise in the field.

Much like the Hippocratic Oath taken by medical professionals, engineering students take an oath to uphold the standards and dignity of the engineering profession and to serve humanity by making the best use of Earth’s precious wealth. They were then presented with a stainless-steel ring during a ceremony on Thursday, Feb. 20 in the Student Activities Center.

The creation of the Link at USCA’s School of Engineering, is due to the efforts of Alina Tomko, the first student to major in both mechanical and process engineering

“Advice I would give to future engineering students would be to always, ask for help,” Tomko said. “I don’t think I could have made it through the program if I didn’t have the support system of the department.”

Truman Brabham, an inductee, said he’s excited to see the growth of the engineering department and to be a part of the Order of Engineer. “If you’re looking to be an engineer, you need to have a dedication to the profession and be willing to study a lot and stay committed throughout your four years.”

Currently there are two tracks available for engineering majors: Process Engineering and Mechanical Engineering.  

Bethany Fralick, originally the sole faculty teaching engineering, is now in her eleventh year of in USCA’s School of Sciences and Engineering. Demand for Engineering courses lead to the hiring of additional faculty beginning in 2017. By the fall of 2026, the school will introduce a new track in electrical engineering.

With so much growth within the program, Fralick says that it’s incredible to see the student’s progress. “We push them very hard at the start of their sophomore year to have a presence in the industry whether it’s an internship or their senior capstone project that are all sponsored by industry professionals.”

Fralick states that at least 90% of USCA’s engineering students are guaranteed employment before graduating. “The Order of the Engineer has further expanded opportunities for our students to network and join an immediate community.”

Tomko has already secured a position as a distribution engineer with InterCon, a construction company based in Charlotte, NC. Meanwhile, Brabham is set to begin his new role as a process engineer at Georgia Pacific.

Both Tomko and Brabham, along with their fellow members of the Order of the Engineer, are expected to graduate this spring on Wednesday, May 7 at 6 p.m. in the Convocation Center.

The following inductees include: 

Darla Alarcon 

Truman Brabham 

Brandon Caldwell 

Othello Cooper 

Brody Ledonne

Molly Lindsey 

Patrick Madura 

Yaraxy Martinez 

Connor McPherson 

Ryan Nelsen 

Caleb Randolph 

Donavyn Simpkin’s 

Alina Tomko 

Trevor Willing  

Engineering students interested in joining the Order of the Engineer should email Fralick at bethanyf@usca.edu.

For more information, contact USCA Marketing & Communication at news@usca.edu.