Chicago - June 26, 2006 - Eta Kappa Nu (HKN), the national honor society for electrical and computer engineers, received a $50,000 gift from the estate of Ernest E. Althouse of Willow Street, Pa., to support various student activities including regional student leadership conferences.

HKN Executive Director Roger Plummer stated, "Eta Kappa Nu is honored to receive such a generous gift from one of its members. A true Renaissance man, Mr. Althouse helped found the Chi Chapter at Lehigh University as a college student in 1926 and continued to appreciate HKN's dedication to extraordinary engineering students throughout his life."

Mr. Althouse's gift will help support Eta Kappa Nu's regional leadership conference to take place at Purdue University Nov. 3-5, 2006. Industry leaders will present key topics focusing on engineering in the world of 2025. Student attendees will learn how to address issues resulting from globalization and its impact on U.S. engineers and the profession while other sessions will focus on leadership .

Mr. Althouse was born in 1904 near Strausstown, Pa., and grew up in nearby Hamburg. He graduated from Lehigh University in 1926 with a degree in electrical engineering. He was a member of Tau Beta Phi and Eta Kappa Nu, national engineering honor societies.

He began his career with the Duquesne Light Company in Pittsburgh, Pa., before joining the Central Hudson Gas and Electric Corporation in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. He served in various capacities over the years before being appointed vice president in charge of operations in 1954. He became senior vice president in 1964, a member of the board of directors in 1967, and then president of the company in 1968. After his retirement in 1975, be served as vice chairman of the board until 1986. In addition, he once served as director of the Utilities Mutual Insurance Company and of Mid-Hudson Pattern, Inc.

Mr. Althouse held membership in a number of professional and trade organizations. He died in April 2006 at the age of 101.

For questions or additional information, visit www.hkn.org or contact Lisa Reyes at +1-312-559-3325 or lisa@hkn.org.

About Eta Kappa Nu (HKN)
Eta Kappa Nu is a 100-year-old honor society for electrical and computer engineering students and professionals. With more than 200,000 members and approximately 200 university chapters, HKN recognizes excellence in academic accomplishments, leadership, outstanding character, and service. The International Engineering Consortium manages the headquarters function of Eta Kappa Nu. For more information, please visit www.hkn.org.

About the IEC
The International Engineering Consortium (IEC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to catalyzing technology and business progress worldwide in a range of high-technology industries and their university communities. Since 1944, the IEC has provided high-quality educational opportunities for industry professionals, academics, and students.

In conjunction with industry-leading companies, the IEC has developed an extensive, free on-line educational program. The IEC conducts industry-university programs that have a substantial impact on curricula. It also conducts research and develops publications, conferences, and technological exhibits that address major opportunities and challenges of the information age.

More than 70 leading high-technology universities are IEC affiliates, and the IEC handles the affairs of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department Heads Association and Eta Kappa Nu, the honor society for electrical and computer engineers. The IEC also manages the activities of the Enterprise Communications Consortium. Visit www.iec.org .