Community | Health Education and Human SciencesSeptember 04, 2024

UAFS Nursing Honor Society Induction Friday Sept. 6

Written By: Rachel Putman

The University of Arkansas - Fort Smith’s Carolyn McKelvey Moore School of Nursing will hold its chartering and induction ceremony for the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing (Sigma) on Sept. 6, 2024. 

This prestigious event, which marks a significant milestone for the UAFS nursing program, will take place at 6  p.m. in The Reynolds Room on the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Campus.

The ceremony will induct 11 students, 3 nurse leaders, and 12 faculty members. Nine faculty are already members of Sigma chapters and will either retain dual membership or transfer their membership to Alpha Gamma Zeta.

Sponsored by Mercy Fort Smith, this induction further solidifies the School of Nursing’s reputation for excellence, recognized both nationally and globally. Stephanie Whitaker, Chief Nursing Officer at Mercy, will keynote the event. 

Tammy Rogers, president of the newly established chapter, emphasized the importance of this achievement. 

“It is a tremendous honor to charter the Alpha Gamma Zeta chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International,” Rogers said. “We are dedicated to excellence in nursing and strive to develop nurse leaders and scholars while fostering collaborative networking opportunities among our community nurse leaders, nursing students, and recent graduates.”

The inaugural board of the chapter will be present alongside Dr. Paula Julian, Associate Dean, College of Health, Education and Human Sciences and Executive Director, Carolyn McKelvey Moore School of Nursing

“The opportunity to charter a Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing Chapter at UAFS is a testament to our commitment to excellence,” said Dr. Paula Julian, Associate Dean of the College of Health, Education and Human Sciences and Executive Director, Carolyn McKelvey Moore School of Nursing. “Establishing the Alpha Gamma Zeta Chapter will be a transformative milestone for the Carolyn McKelvey Moore School of Nursing. It's an honor for Alpha Gamma Zeta to recognize the exceptional achievements of nursing students and leaders, and we look forward to the platform it will create for further collaboration, professional development, and advancement of nursing practice.”

Inductees include students and nurse leaders who have demonstrated exceptional academic and professional achievements. Membership in Sigma is reserved for the top 35 percent of a nursing cohort, recognizing students who have completed at least 50 percent of their nursing curriculum and maintained a GPA greater than 3.0. Additionally, nurse leaders in the profession with at least one year of practice may also be inducted.

Sigma, founded in 1922, boasts over 100,000 active members across the globe including clinical nurses, administrators, academic nurse educators, researchers, and policymakers. Its more than 600 chapters share a vision to connect and empower nurse leaders who will transform global healthcare.

Membership in Sigma offers numerous benefits, including free nursing continuing professional development (NCPD) courses designed to support nurses at every stage of their careers. Members also gain access to Sigma’s Career Center, which provides career connections, advisors, mentors, and professional resources to advance their nursing careers. In addition, members receive free journals and publications, such as the Journal of Nursing Scholarship and Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing. Sigma’s online member community, The Circle, offers invaluable networking opportunities through active chapters and communities of interest.

About Sigma

Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing is an international community of nurses dedicated to advancing knowledge, teaching, learning, and service through the cultivation of communities of practice, education, and research. Membership benefits include access to research, professional development, and services that focus on the core areas of education, leadership, career development, evidence-based nursing, and scholarships.