Tau Beta Pi brings math expertise, life lessons to a Detroit high school
Tau Beta Pi members Mike Kangas, Dan Hegner, Ben Rexroat and Matt Kangas are four of the eight tutors at Western High School in Detroit.
Eight members of the UDM chapter of Tau Beta Pi, the national Engineering honor society, have been tutoring algebra and calculus students at Western International High School this year.
Senior Matthew Kangas is coordinating the program and says, "It’s great to get away from school for a while and help others."
Says Kangas, “The kids who are having difficulty with the work are more comfortable asking us questions in a small group or on a one-on-one basis. There are fewer distractions and they are no longer in an atmosphere where it’s not cool to try to excel.“
Adds Kangas, “The kids trust us and appreciate the help we give them. These are kids who have doubts whether or not they can make it to college and succeed there. It helps them to have contact with us because we’ve gone through those experiences.”
Fraternity brother Chris Koziara ‘03, began the tutoring program during the 2002-2003 school year. Western International High School was a natural choice because a relationship already existed—two Western alumni now attend UDM. In addition to Kangas, the other UDM student tutors are seniors Daniel Hegner, Nicholas Herdzik, Michael Kangas, Andrew Nowasielski, Maria Payan, Benjamin Rexroat, and Mark Welter.