Dr. Helen Lalllhert helps Dehra Erickson uiith an independent st11c~v Lambert served as theassista11tdea11 Q/theSchool o/N11rsi11g. Photo hyJason Burl. Nursing Organization Earns National Honors The School of ursing was more than an ordinary group of people who happened to be pursuing a career in the medical field. It was the birthplace of the award-winning Epsilon Omicron chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International. A national honor society for nursing, the local chapter consisted of nursing students, nursing faculty and community nursing leaders. Dr. Cathleen Shultz, dean of the school, served as president of the chapter. "Only a small percentage of junior and senior nu rsing students with a high GPA could be nominated, " said Julie Clapp, a member of the organization. "And each nominee had to demonstrate leadership qualities and live up to a specific set of standards." The chapter received three honorary awards: the Chapter Key Award for member involvement, the Outstanding Chapter Award, and the Ethel Palmer Clarke Founders ' Award for excellence in chapter programming. The Founders ' Award, given every two years, was one of the highest honors bestowed by Sigma Theta Tau International. Sigma Theta Tau sponsored various researchers who visited the campus and gave presentations on the society 's Research Day. The chapter was active in service projects and gave scholarships for working n urses to conduct research and to continue their education. This chapter represented the university as a professional society. "We are not just an honor society for students ," Clapp said. "We're on the cutting edge of the field of nursing. " Michele Rega11ld practices taking blood ji-0111 fellow nursing student. Dawn Plat!. Nursing students gained hands-011 e.>:.periellce, as well as classroom k11owledge. Photo by Michael Bass. Dr. Cathie Shultz works to prepare her Ll'eek(J' schedule. Shultz serued as adl'iser of the local award-Ll'inningchapterofSigma Theta Tau. Photo hy Michael Bass. - Carrie Woodruff Nursing _-::----"--___ --------/~ 141 Academics
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