Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Honor Society Joins International Honor Society

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Honor Society, begun in 1994 and host to more than 130 student and nurse scholars, will be chartered as an official chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing from 3-5 p.m. on Sunday, March 12, 2000. The ceremony and chartering of the new honor society, Pi Theta, will take place in Giffels Auditorium on the second floor of Old Main on the University of Arkansas campus.

Approval for the University of Arkansas chapter was granted at the Sigma Theta Tau International biennial convention in Nov., 1999. Membership in Sigma Theta Tau International is by invitation only and is extended to undergraduate and graduate students, faculty and professional nurses who have demonstrated superior scholastic, leadership and service achievements in nursing.

"This is a landmark event in the life of the College of Education and Health Professions and the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing," said Charles Stegman, dean of the College. "The fact that the Mann School was nominated for membership in Sigma Theta Tau—an internationally recognized scholastic society—is testament to the strides made in academics and clinical preceptorships as well as in the quality of students attracted to and enrolled in the program. I am extremely pleased to celebrate this honor with the outstanding nursing faculty and students—they deserve a great deal of praise."

"We're extremely proud to be included as a chapter in this prestigious honor society," said Barbara Conrad, director of the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing. "This is an important step toward the goal of making the Eleanor Mann School a top-quality, nationally recognized nursing program. The endorsement of Sigma Theta Tau and the subsequent creation of Pi Theta, our own local chapter, will undoubtedly spur our continued growth and development. The nursing students, faculty and administrators couldn't be happier — we're associated with the best."

In addition to several officer who will officially serve and lead the local chapter, 75 nurse leaders will be inducted as charter members into the new society. Julie Thibodaux, from Breast Treatment Associates, will be officially recognized as chapter president; Cathy Irwin, from Area Health Education Center, Northwest, will serve as president-elect; Kelly Vowell-Johnson, an instructor in the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing, will serve as vice-president; Ruth Jones, from Northwest Technical Institute, will serve as treasurer; Carol Meadows, from the Area Health Education Center, Northwest, will serve as secretary; Joyce McMconaughy, an instructor in the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing, was elected as first counselor to the Society; Marianne Neighbors, a professor in the Mann School, was elected as second counselor. The event's keynote speaker will be Dr. Pat Thompson, current president of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society.

Sigma Theta Tau has more than 260,000 members in 383 chapters in colleges and universities throughout the United States, Canada, Korea, Taiwan and Australia. The organization encourages and sponsors research, promotes the development of nursing leadership and supports the development of nursing scholars.

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing offers a Bachelor of Science degree (B.S.N.) and graduates approximately 35 students each year. In 1994, the nursing program was generously endowed by Herbert and Eleanor Mann of Bella Vista in honor of Mrs. Mann's interest in and devotion to nursing. Both University of Arkansas alumni.