Pi Mu Epsilon, a national mathematics honor society, was founded in 1914 at Syracuse University and was incorporated on May 25, 1914 under the laws of the state of New York. Pi Mu Epsilon is a non-secret organization whose purpose is the promotion of scholarly activity in mathematics among students in academic institutions and among staffs of qualified non-academic institutions.

The local organizations of Pi Mu Epsilon are the Chapters. The New York Alpha Eta Chapter was established at Nazareth  College of Rochester on March 18, 1996.

Induction ceremonies are held each spring. Candidates are nominated to Pi Mu Epsilon based on their performance in mathematics courses and their overall college ranking.