Iota Kappa Chapter, Sigma Theta Tau International

In 1922 six nurses founded Sigma Theta Tau at the Indiana University Training School for Nurses, now the Indiana University School of Nursing, in Indianapolis, IN. The founders chose the name from the Greek words Storgé, Tharsos and Timé meaning, "love," "courage" and "honor."

Iota Kappa chapter is Gwynedd-Mercy College's chapter of Sigma Theta Tau, the international honor society of nursing. The honor society recognizes and fosters in nurses superior achievement, the development of leadership qualities, high professional standards, creative work, and commitment to the ideals of the nursing profession. The Iota Kappa chapter currently has 280 members. It was established in 1986 with 142 members.

For more information regarding the insignia of Sigma Theta Tau International, click here.

MISSION

The Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International provides leadership and scholarship in practice, education and research to enhance the health of all people. We support the learning and professional development of our members who strive to improve nursing care worldwide.

VISION

All five organizations – the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International; Nursing Knowledge International; The International Honor Society of Nursing Building Corporation; the Sigma Theta Tau International Foundation for Nursing; and the International Academic Nursing Alliance – exist to further the vision of the honor society, which is to create a global community of nurses who lead using scholarship, knowledge and technology to improve the health of the world's people.

For further information about Sigma Theta Tau International, click here.
For further information at Gwynedd-Mercy College's School of Nursing, click here.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

12th Annual Dean's Distinguished Lecture – April 7, 2008. The School of Nursing of Gwynedd-Mercy College will host the Annual Dean's Distinguished Lecture on April 7th. Iota Kappa is proud to co-sponsor this event. A reception will be held from 6 to 7 p.m., followed by the lecture. Location – Julia Ball Auditorium, Gwynedd-Mercy College.

20th Anniversary Iota Kappa Celebration – May 2008 (date TBD)

The Iota Kappa Chapter is in the process of planning an evening of celebration to commemorate the Chapter’s 20th anniversary. More details will be communicated. Contact Carol Stahlhut, Chapter President, at cstahlhut@msn.com for more information about this event.

Race for the Cure – Breast Cancer Awareness Walk/Run – May 11, 2008

Come and join the Iota Kappa Chapter Team and participate in this exhilarating event! Contact Carol Stahlhut at cstahlhut@msn.com for more information about this event.  

RECENT EVENTS:

Annual Iota Kappa Induction Ceremony
December 2, 2007 at Gwynedd-Mercy College

Iota Kappa inducted 15 undergraduate and five graduate students at the induction ceremony. Congratulations to all on this achievement.

Fall Social/Educational Event
October 30, 2007 at Gwynedd-Mercy College

Melissa Martelly, a GMC BSN graduate who visited Rwanda in January, 2007 with the Global Youth Connect Organization, described her experiences.  Additionally, Elizabeth Faust, a GMC BSN graduate and current graduate student of the College, provided highlights of her volunteering as an RN in Africa this past May.  

21st Annual Tri-state Consortium: Lecture and Brunch – September 30, 2007 at 11 a.m.

The speaker for this event was Cheryl L. Mee, BC, CMSRN, MSN who is the editor-in-chief of Nursing2007. Her topic was “Doing the ‘Write’ Thing: Practical Tips for Successful Professional Writing.” This event was held at the Radisson Suites Hotel near the Philadelphia Airport.

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Reflections from the Dominican Republic - April 11, 2007
On Wednesday, April 11, faculty member Betsy Black and five students gave a presentation on their Alternative Spring Break trip to the Dominican Republic as part of a joint SNAP and Iota Kappa event.

11th Annual Dean's Distinguished Lecture - March 27, 2007
We recently co-sponsored the annual Dean's Distinguished Lecture, held on March 27. The speaker was Susan Gennaro, DSN, RN, FAAN, FACCE, professor of Nursing Research at New York University. Her topic was “Women and Health.”

Induction Ceremony – December 3, 2006
Our annual induction ceremony was held for new inductees on Sunday, December 3, 2006.

Social/Educational Event – October 5, 2006
On October 5, 2006 the Iota Kappa Chapter hosted an educational presentation for members and students. We were all inspired and re-sensitized to the issues surrounding “End of Life Care,” presented by Dr. Dona Molyneaux. Additionally, at this event, Lisa Hathaway was presented with a scholarship award of $2000 from the Iota Kappa Chapter, Sigma Theta Tau, for her excellence in leadership, scholarship and research. Congratulations to Lisa!

NEWSLETTERS

Iota Kappa strives to keep its members informed through the regular publication of a Chapter newsletter. Recent articles have featured the accomplishments of members, Chapter involvement in community events and the induction of new members.

AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIPS

Nursing Students Recognized at Annual Honors Convocation
During the College's annual Honors Convocation, held on the eve of graduation, Iota Kappa recognized two worthy students with awards. This year's recipient of the Undergraduate Student Award was Margaret Havener, and the recipient of the Graduate Student Award was Julie Britton.

Nursing Student Scholarship
Iota Kappa is funding a $2000 scholarship for a Gwynedd-Mercy College nursing student. To be eligible, the student must be either a senior BSN student or an MSN student, have a GPA of 3.5 or higher and exemplify the Sigma Theta Tau International values of leadership, scholarship and research. Students who are interested must submit an application packet that includes a curriculum vitae, letter of intent, letter of recommendation from a professional colleague and an essay describing how they demonstrate the STTI values in their nursing practice. MSN students need to have taken a minimum of six credits to qualify for the scholarship. If interested, contact Dr. Judy Winterhalter at 215-646-7300 x404 or at winterhalter.j@gmc.edu.

Research Grants
The purpose of the Sr. M. Fenton Joseph Fitzpatrick Research Award is to encourage beginning nurse researchers to contribute to the body of nursing knowledge and to support experienced nurse researchers in their continuing efforts. If you have a research proposal, please contact Dr. Judy Winterhalter at 215-646-7300 x404 or at winterhalter.j@gmc.edu for details, guidelines and submission deadlines. Applicants must be members in good standing or accepted for induction into Iota Kappa.

MEMBERSHIP AND CONTACT INFORMATION

Board of Directors

President - Carol Stahlhut
Vice President - Tammie Kear
Treasurer - Brandi Kohler
Chapter Counselor - Patricia Brown-O’Hara
Secretary - Susan Cicione