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Sigma Theta Tau International
Sigma Theta Tau (STT), the Honor Society of Nursing, was founded in 1922 by six nursing students at Indiana University School of Nursing. The founders chose the name from the Greek words Storga, Tharos, and Tima meaning "love," "courage," and "honor." As women ahead of their time, the founders' vision for the society helped bring recognition to nursing as a science.
The organization became incorporated as Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) in 1985 to reflect the mission of improving health care worldwide. STTI has inducted more than 300,000 members worldwide making it the second largest nursing organization in the world and the only international member organization that provides leadership and knowledge resources to nurses in practice, academia, administration and research.
Lambda Kappa, the Messiah College Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International, was chartered March 30, 1990, as the 272nd chapter of STTI. Eighty-nine students and community leaders were charter members, and new members have been inducted annually since then.
The Messiah College nursing program began in 1981, and almost from the beginning there were plans to eventually have a local chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International. In the fall of 1983, Dr. Elaine Hagenbuch, department chair, contacted STT to determine the steps required to have such a chapter. In September 1984, the nursing faculty approved the establishment of the Messiah College Nursing Honor Society. Then approval was obtained from Dean Brandt, and faculty member Donna Havens attended the Northeast Conference of STT to learn how to start a new chapter. Dr. Ruth Stoll, another faculty member, established a steering committee to begin the plans for an honor society which would precede the formal STT chapter. The steering committee, comprised of four faculty and four students, first met in October 1984. They immediately began to determine eligibility and ways to contact community nurses. Dr. Hagenbuch sent a letter to all nursing students and then met with them to explain the Honor Society and its ultimate connection to the STT chapter. The first induction of twenty-five members was held on April 4, 1985.
Following the years of growth, it was time to begin the application process to become a chapter of STT. The 87 page written application was completed in October of 1988, including documentation of programs, bylaws of the Honor Society and proposed bylaws for the Chapter, and vitae of all the members. On March 30 and 31, 1989, Dr. Mary Jane Ward, a representative of STT, visited Messiah College to evaluate the department of nursings plans and support for a Chapter. She wrote a report which would go to STT. Next was the unanimous approval from the National Council and the House of Delegates. Full approval of the Chapter was received at the STT meeting in Tampa, FL, in November 1989.
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