Sally Ride, the first female astronaut, is slated to speak at C.Y. Stephens auditorium next October.

The Society of Women Engineers is the group responsible for bringing her here.

Next April, during Veishea, children will once again be entertained on Welch Avenue by games inside CY’s Big Top — SWE is also the group responsible for the tent each year.

These are just some of the events SWE is handling in 1998 as one of the most active groups on campus, said Kristi Rude, SWE president.

“SWE’s objectives are offering leadership roles to the members and being a support system for everyone involved,” she said.

Barb Beck, co-chair of publicity for SWE, said she had similar reasons for joining.

“Basically, I felt being a part of SWE would help to get me involved and would be great for networking,” she said.

“At the end of each year, SWE holds a banquet. Many companies are invited, and it’s an excellent research opportunity to meet with them,” Beck said.

Last year, SWE won first place in the competition for the Corning Incentive Grant, awarded for external outreach.

And during the 1994-95 school year, Iowa State’s chapter beat out all other engineering schools for the best National Student Section.

Beck said it feels good to be part of such an active, esteemed group.

“We all have our own responsibilities to fulfill and everyone works together to do the job to the best of their ability,” she said.

Despite the group’s name, Rude said about 10 percent of its membership is male.

“SWE is not just for women, but for anyone who supports women in engineering,” she said.