International Honor Society Inducts U of A Nursing Students

Chasity Hernandez is a student in the online RN-to-BSN degree program.

Alice Carpenter, from left, Glenda C. Myers and Dawn Michel, who all work at the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks, are inducted as community leaders.

Students in the on-campus baccalaureate program gather for a group photo.

Elizabeth Gambill is a student in the Doctor of Nursing Practice program.

Photo by Heidi Wells

Ginger Holloway attaches the society pin to the lapel of Ryley McMurtry.

Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing inducted 21 University of Arkansas nursing students at a ceremony Nov. 9.

Three practicing nurses who work at the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks, where the ceremony was held, were also inducted. The organization recognizes superior achievement in nursing and development of leadership qualities, fosters high professional standards in the field, encourages creative work and strengthens commitment to the ideals and purposes of the profession.

For students, membership criteria cover completion of a set number of credit hours and nursing curriculum, a minimum grade-point average, class rank and academic integrity. For nurse leaders in the community, membership criteria include a degree, license and demonstrated achievement.

The inductees recited the Sigma Theta Tau International pledge as a group before crossing the stage for Ginger Holloway, Pi Theta counselor, to affix their pins. They also signed the chapter book and received a booklet of information.

Angela Stewart, president of the Pi Theta chapter at the U of A, welcomed students, nurses and guests and introduced Raquel Alvarado, associate chief nurse in acute care services at the veterans' hospital. Alvarado also gave a welcome. Kathleen Condray, an associate professor of German at the U of A, gave the keynote address, talking to the inductees from her perspective as the parent of a child with a chronic medical condition.

Three nursing faculty members who are officers in Pi Theta — Tabatha Teal, vice president; Lori Murray, secretary; and Kim Oelke, treasurer — also assisted at the event.

The inductees:

Isabel Bannister, Sydney Nicole Barnes, Marisa Blaschke, Kelli Michele Camp, Alice Carpenter, Olivia Lea Covington, Grace Anne Davis, Emily Paige Dye, Elizabeth Anne Gambill, Lauren Elizabeth Hart, Chasity Hernandez, Emily Isbell, Molly C. Kruse, Kimberly Lancaster, Ryley McMurtry, Sarah Jane Meek, Dawn Michel, Gabrielle Marie Moeller, Hannah Claire Mosley, Glenda C. Myers, Britley Pierce, Katelyn Alexandra Romero, Emily Elizabeth Schaffner, Paula Suzanne Stephens, Chelsea Renee Walker and Mindy Ware.

The Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is advancing world health and celebrating nursing excellence in scholarship, leadership, and service. Founded in 1922, STTI has more than 135,000 active members in more than 90 countries. Members include practicing nurses, instructors, researchers, policymakers, entrepreneurs and others. STTI's roughly 500 chapters are located at approximately 695 institutions of higher education throughout Armenia, Australia, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, England, Ghana, Hong Kong, Japan, Kenya, Lebanon, Malawi, Mexico, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Portugal, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Swaziland, Sweden, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, the United States, and Wales. More information about STTI can be found online at www.nursingsociety.org.