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Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society has a long history of developing and recognizing leaders and scholars. Founded in 1922 at the Indiana Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é by six visionary nurses, it is one of the largest and most prestigious nursing organizations with more than 150,000 members in more 500 Chapters including 85 International Chapters.

The history of Sigma Theta Tau International Chapters in Texas begins with the chartering of the first chapter, Alpha Delta (028) in 1963 at the Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é of Texas School of Nursing in Galveston, Texas.  At that time, the School of Nursing had its clinical component at the Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston.  The nursing students took all their prerequisite courses at the Austin campus or at another college or Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é and completed their baccalaureate and clinical courses at the Medical Branch in Galveston.

In 1967, a major reorganization within the Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é of Texas System occurred and nursing courses were offered at both the Austin and Galveston campuses.  The name of the school became the Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é of Texas Nursing School (System-wide).  In 1972, the name changed again to the Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é of Texas School of Nursing. Additional campuses were added in San Antonio, Fort Worth and El Paso.  Three campuses (Houston, Galveston and San Antonio) were part of health science centers and had only the upper division nursing courses on their campuses. The expansion of the system-wide nursing school occurred at the same time that Hotel Dieu Hospital School of Nursing here in El Paso transitioned into a baccalaureate nursing program.

As the number of geographically distant campuses increased in the UT System, the need for separate nursing programs at each campus with separate honor society activities on each campus became apparent.  Nursing programs on distant campuses transitioned to U.T System Universities.  In 1976, the College of Nursing became an integral academic component of the Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é of Texas at El Paso.  

The establishment of the Delta Kappa Chapter (104) of Sigma Theta Tau International was formalized in 1980 under the leadership of Dean Eileen Jacobi. Thirty-two charter members launched our Chapter with our rich heritage into a gateway for the future.

Dean, Eileen Jacobi
Gay Aguilera, Robert Anders, Ann Bechtel, Rena Brands, Maria Caldwell, Elaine Campbell, Karen Carter Lyon, Helen Castillo, Charlene Chartrand, Deborah Maese Chasco, Gail Kathleen Clark, Camille Carpenter-Cates, Sandra Earles, Judith Estabrook, Mona Fields, Terry Hester Hernandez, Gina Long, Margarita Lozano, Margo Mendez, Terry Moreland, Gail Michael, Sharon Pontious,  Marydelle Polk, Rebecca Price, Mary Pries, Marta Reeder, Marilyn Steffel, Marlene Weitzel,  Sr. Aloysious Williams, Thomas Wilke, Ann Uranga

Over the years, the UTEP administration has been very supportive of the College of Nursing and the Delta Kappa Chapter activities. Our Chapter submitted the nomination of President Diane Natalicio for honorary membership to Sigma.  She received this honor and was inducted at the Sigma Biennial Meeting in San Diego in 1999.

The nursing programs at UTEP and New Mexico State Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é, in Las Cruces, have a long history of working collaboratively on many projects.  In 2001, our Delta Kappa Chapter sponsored the creation of the Pi Omega Chapter at New Mexico State Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é.  NMSU nursing faculty and Pi Omega Chapter members have an open invitation to join our Delta Kappa Chapter with dual membership.  The Annual Scholarly Day continues as a shared activity between our two chapters. 

Over the years, the UTEP administration has been very supportive of the College of Nursing and the Delta Kappa Chapter activities. Our Chapter submitted the nomination of President Diane Natalicio for honorary membership to Sigma Theta Tau International.  In 1999, she received this honor and was inducted at the Sigma Biennial Meeting in San Diego. 

2014 UTEP celebrated its Centennial Anniversary.  We share our beginnings along a similar timeline with arrival in 1882 of three Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul here in El Paso.  They were invited by the Reverend Charles Ferrari to care of the sick. While our Chapter is a mere 34 years old, we recognize our Centennial Chapter Members (27) who have been active members since their induction (34 or more years).

 Robert Anders, Taffy Arias, Georgia Avery, Judith Bartley, Jean Bernardini, Jose Blanco, Rena Brands, Angelina Carver, Donna Cieslik, Deborah Chasco, Rena DeGregorio, Lou Feuille, James Flahive, Patricia Flowler, Judy Fredrick, Debbie Fuller, Ruth Giordano, Terry Hernandez, Olga Kalpakgian, Cheri Love, Jana McCallister, Paula Mitchell, Patricia Parsons, Pearl Pope, Audree Reynolds, Kathryn Reveles

Delta Kappa Chapter members and UTEP nursing alumnae have a strong heritage of nursing leadership, active professional involvement and community service. This heritage and legacy serve as a pathway to the future.  It is an exciting time to be in nursing.

Together we change lives and advance heathcare

Delta Kappa Chapter
dkchapter@utep.edu
915-747-7229 (leave a message)


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