MAY 16, 2024 – The Theta Tau Professional Engineering Fraternity is pleased to announce the hiring of Sarah Mente as Communications Coordinator in the Central Office.  Mente, or “Red” as she is known to her brothers, is a 2020 graduate of the Pi Gamma Chapter at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

“We are thrilled to welcome Sarah to the staff,” said Executive Director Jim Gaffney.  “Sarah’s leadership of our award-winning magazine, The Gear of Theta Tau, had set an extraordinarily high standard for our communications program, and I’m excited to leverage her experience to improve and grow our larger communications program.”

Mente served as editor-in-chief of the Fraternity magazine, The Gear, from August 2021 until August 2023, and has continued on as co-editor while also serving as Great Lakes Regional Director.  Mente received a meritorious service commendation at the 2023 National Convention for her work on The Gear.   

“The Fraternity is lucky to have brothers like Sarah who are willing to dedicate their working hours to furthering the mission of Theta Tau,” said Grand Regent Stuart Kardian (Kappa Gamma, ‘06).  “We can’t wait to see what she accomplishes in this new role.”

Mente holds a bachelors degree in special education from UNC Charlotte.  She is a certified school teacher in the state of North Carolina and has taught a number of grade-levels and subjects.

The Fraternity also announces the departure from the staff of Ernestine Bethea.  Bethea joined the Central Office staff in March of 2020 as Office Manager and was later promoted to the role of Director of Operations.  

“Ernestine has been a valued member of our staff since shortly after I was hired, and I thank her for her dedicated work, good humor and enormous contributions to the work of the Fraternity,” said Executive Director Gaffney.  “We wish her luck in her new role outside of the Fraternity.”

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