Collection ID: MSS051
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Summary

Creator:
Sigma Theta Tau International and Sigma Theta Tau International
Abstract:
Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) is an honor society for nurses committed to fostering excellence, scholarship and leadership in nursing to improve health care worldwide. STTI is a society of nursing leaders who are active in research, education, and practice in the field. As an honor society, it recognizes those who excel in their field and emphasizes the importance of continued professional enhancement. The International Center for Nursing Scholarship, located on the campus of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) in Indianapolis, Indiana, is the headquarters of STTI.
Extent:
161.5 cubic feet (135 cartons, 8 document boxes, 4 flat boxes, 3 microform boxes, 938 audio tapes, approx. 313 video tapes, 265 optical discs, 254 floppy disks, 77 zip disks, 3 flash drives, 3 artifacts)
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

Sigma Theta Tau International, Inc. Records, 1920-2016, Ruth Lilly Special Collections and Archives, University Library, Indiana University Indianapolis.

Background

Biographical / Historical:

Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) is an honor society for nurses committed to fostering excellence, scholarship, and leadership in nursing to improve health care worldwide. STTI is a society of nursing leaders who are active in research, education, and practice in the field. As an honor society, it recognizes those who excel in their field and emphasizes the importance of continued professional enhancement. The International Center for Nursing Scholarship, located on the campus of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) in Indianapolis, Indiana, is the headquarters of STTI.

The history of STTI begins at the Indiana University Training School for Nurses. The school first began in 1914 with the opening of the Robert W. Long Hospital on what is now the campus of IUPUI. During the tenure of the school's second director, Ethel Palmer Clarke (1915-1931), the school blossomed as admission numbers rose from 12 to 168 and the physical structure of the medical center grew to include a residence hall. In 1922 six nursing students received permission from Clarke to form an organization to recognize and encourage scholarship and high achievement.

Dorothy Garrigus Adams, Elizabeth Russell Belford, Edith Moore Copeland, Marie Hippensteel Lingeman, Elizabeth McWilliams Miller, and Mary Tolle Wright conceptualized an honor society for nurses to recognize their achievement. The requirements of Ethel P. Clarke set the stage for a professional society located at universities based on academic scholarship. The students, with the assistance of Dorothy and C. Severin Buschmann, obtained approval for the society from the Indiana Secretary of State on October 5, 1922. The first induction ceremony for the Alpha Chapter of STTI was held on October 16, 1922.

As the students graduated and moved away from Indianapolis, Dorothy Ford Buschmann assumed the responsibility of the continued expansion of STTI. Her vision to enlarge the organization by inducting new chapters throughout the country kept STTI moving forward. Besides the lack of reputation as an honor society, STTI's greatest barrier to expansion was the lack of university nursing schools in the United States. In 1927, the society elected its first Grand Council (now Board of Directors) with Buschmann as president. In 1929, STTI organized its first Biennial Convention to encourage communication between the new chapters and to help market the society to the other university schools of nursing in the country. At the time of the 1929 convention, STTI had two chapters: Alpha (Indiana University School of Nursing) and Beta (Washington University at St. Louis).

In order to gain acceptance and national recognition, STTI sought ways to prove its value to its members. The leaders of the organization struggled to prove that rather than a sorority, STTI existed as an honor society committed to educational enhancement. Believing that nursing research would expand the profession and advance the association's mission, STTI created a scholarship fund for nursing research and awarded its first recipient in 1936.

While the nursing research scholarship proved a successful endeavor, the organization encountered additional barriers during its first 20 years. Membership was a problem because students constituted the majority of inductees and found it difficult to remain tied to the organization after graduation. Problems revolving around the society's place in nursing and its mission also continued to go unresolved. By 1946, STTI had grown only to six chapters and the vision of national expansion seemed more distant. The end of World War II, however, brought changes to nursing. A dramatic rise in the number of university nursing schools proved the most significant change, allowing the opportunity for national expansion in the 1950s.

The organization's initial challenges laid the groundwork for future success. As the leaders recognized its deficiencies, they looked at potential modifications to meet the needs of a growing nurse population. The leaders saw the importance of running STTI like a business and moved away from its beginnings as a sorority. They also began to seriously campaign and promote the organization to colleges and universities in order to increase membership. By 1962, membership reached 6,093 in 23 chapters. In 1967 STTI reached another milestone—the publication of its own scholarly journal titled Image: Sigma Theta Tau National Honor Society of Nursing.

In 1974, STTI moved into its first permanent home in the newly constructed School of Nursing Building at IUPUI. The next decade saw significant growth in personnel and, in 1989, STTI dedicated the International Center for Nursing Scholarship on the edge of the IUPUI campus.

The 1970s began a new era in the development of STTI and set the stage for changes of the 1980s. Having an office staff allowed the organization to operate more effectively and allowed for new programs and initiatives. STTI furthered its commitment to education and research through the addition of new conferences and research sessions at major nursing conferences. The creation of national awards in leadership and professionalism—called the Founders Awards—allowed the society to recognize outstanding persons in the profession. The national office began production of its newsletter, Reflections, in 1975 to improve communication with members. Leaders also saw the need to become active in an international context and began generating interest through the International Nursing Research Conferences. Developing the Ten-Year Plan in the early 1980s set the vision and focuses for professional development in the United States and abroad. This plan solidified STTI's commitment to scholarship and dedicated the organization to practicing and teaching the science of nursing with three themes: knowledge development, dissemination, and utilization. STTI realized the goals of the Ten-Year Plan with the completion of the Center for Nursing Scholarship in 1989, the induction of a Canadian chapter in London, Ontario in 1988, and chapters opening in Seoul, Korea and Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C. in 1989.

STTI encountered several changes during the 1990s. This was its first decade as a true international society. Members now included three countries besides the United States and vast differences in nursing experience. Between 1991 and 1993, STTI faced its first major changes in leadership in several years: the governing structure was reorganized in 1991 to create a Board of Directors and Nell Watts retired in 1993 after 20 years as executive officer. One highlight of the decade was the 75th Anniversary celebration in 1997. The continued advancement of professional leadership programs and international development carried the organization into the new millennium. By 2004, STTI included 431 chapters and 120,000 members in 90 countries.

Organizational Structure

In 1927, STTI's two chapters elected the first Grand Council of Officers comprised of members from both chapters. This council was the decision-making body of the organization and carried out the administrative tasks for the organization. The name of the Grand Council changed to the National Council in 1954 and to the Governing Council in 1985. Since STTI had no staff, the Council was responsible for managing the business and administrative aspects of the organization. With the creation of a national headquarters in 1972 and appointment of an executive officer, the burden of administration lifted from the National Council. In 1991, the Governing Council changed its name a final time to the Board of Directors. As the job of administration shifted to the headquarters staff, the board assumed the tasks of planning and programming. The board has the additional responsibilities of goal setting, policy development, and resource development. By 2004 the Board of Directors, consisting of 12 voting members and the Chief Executive Officer (formerly STTI's executive director), governs STTI. These voting members include the President, President-Elect, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Regional Chapter Coordinating Committee Chair and six directors. A chief executive officer, hired by the Board of Directors, manages the International Headquarters staff.

The House of Delegates is the legislative and judicial arm of the organization. This body, originally called the National Chapter, is comprised of two delegates from each chapter, members of the Board of Directors, chairs of standing committees, the Regional Chapters Coordinators, and past presidents of STTI. This body approves new chapters, changes to the bylaws, and new programs offered by the membership. The House of Delegates' responsibilities also include the election of officers and members of the Board of Directors. The House of Delegates meets every two years at the Biennial Convention of STTI.

In 1982-1983, STTI divided into regions of governance to coordinate programs in various geographic areas and to allow members to meet in the year between the Biennial Convention. These Regional Assemblies grew to become meeting places for chapters and added a new level for involvement in the organization. Awards and papers given at the assemblies allowed for greater participation and easier governance. The Regional Chapters Coordinating Committee governs the regions. This committee is responsible for assisting the chapter leaders and helping to meet the needs of the chapters through assessment, communication, and education. Chapters-at-Large are affiliated with more than one institution.

Past Presidents

  • Dorothy Ford Buschmann, 1927-1934
  • Florence Parisa, 1934-1938
  • Ruth Perkins Kuehn, 1938-1941
  • Katharine J. Densford (Dreves), 1941-1945
  • Frances George (Steward), 1945-1951
  • Thelma Dodds, 1951-1955
  • Myrtle Kitchell Aydelotte, 1955-1957
  • Lois M. Austin, 1957-1959
  • Edna H. Treasure, 1959-1962
  • Catherine T. McClure, 1962-1965
  • Virginia Crenshaw, 1965-1971
  • Ruth Hepler, 1971-1974
  • Sister Rosemary Donley, 1975-1981
  • Carol A. Lindeman, 1981-1983
  • Lucie S. Kelly, 1983-1985
  • Vernice D. Ferguson, 1985-1987
  • Angela Barron McBride, 1987-1989
  • Billye J. Brown, 1989-1991
  • Beth C. Vaughan-Wrobel, 1991-1993
  • Fay L. Bower, 1993-1995
  • Melanie C. Dreher, 1995-1997
  • Eleanor J. Sullivan, 1997-1999
  • Patricia E. Thompson, 1999-2001
  • May Wykle, 2001-2003
  • Daniel J. Pesut, 2003-2005
  • Carol A. Picard, 2005-2007
  • Carol J. Huston, 2007-2009
  • Karen H. Morin, 2009-2011
  • Susanne S. Prevost, 2011-2013
  • Hester C. Klopper, 2013-2015
  • Catherine D. Catrambone, 2015-2017
  • Beth Baldwin Tigges, 2017-2019
  • Richard Ricciardi, 2019-2021
  • Kenneth Dion, 2021-2023
  • Sandra C. Garmon Bibb, 2023-2025
Honor Society Executive Leaders
  • Carolyn Widmer, Executive Secretary, 1967-1973
  • Nell J. Watts, Executive Secretary, 1973, Executive Officer, 1974-1993
  • Nancy Dickenson-Hazard, Chief Executive Officer, 1993-2007
  • Patricia E. Thompson, Chief Executive Officer, 2007-2017
  • Elizabeth Madigan, Chief Executive Officer, 2017-2023
  • Lucas M. Davis, Chief Executive Officer, 2024-present

Chapters

  • 1—Alpha
  • (2)—Beta (no longer exists)
  • 2—Gamma
  • 3—Delta
  • 4—Epsilon
  • 5—Zeta
  • 6—Eta
  • 7—Theta at-Large
  • 8—Iota at-Large
  • 9—Kappa
  • 10—Lambda
  • 11—Mu
  • 12—Nu at-Large
  • 13—Xi
  • 14—Omicron at-Large
  • 15—Pi at-Large
  • 16—Rho
  • Sigma Chapter (no longer exists)
  • 17—Tau
  • 18—Upsilon
  • 19—Phi
  • 20—Chi at-Large
  • 21—Psi at-Large
  • 22—Omega
  • 23—Alpha Alpha
  • 24—Alpha Beta
  • 25—Alpha Gamma
  • 26—Alpha Delta
  • 27—Alpha Epsilon
  • 28—Alpha Zeta
  • 29—Alpha Eta
  • 30—Alpha Theta
  • 31—Alpha Iota
  • 32—Alpha Kappa at-Large
  • 33—Alpha Lambda
  • 34—Alpha Mu
  • 35—Alpha Nu
  • 36—Alpha Xi
  • 37—Alpha Omicron
  • 38—Alpha Pi
  • 39—Alpha Rho
  • 40—Alpha Sigma
  • 41—Alpha Tau
  • 42—Alpha Upsilon (Alumni)
  • 43—Alpha Phi
  • 44—Alpha Chi
  • 45—Alpha Psi
  • 46—Alpha Omega
  • 47—Beta Alpha
  • 48—Beta Beta (Dallas)
  • 49—Beta Gamma
  • 50—Beta Delta at-Large
  • 51—Beta Epsilon
  • 52—Beta Zeta at-Large
  • 53—Beta Eta at-Large
  • 54—Beta Theta at-Large
  • 55—Beta Iota
  • 56—Beta Kappa
  • 57—Beta Lambda (no longer exists)
  • 58—Beta Mu
  • 59—Beta Nu
  • 60—Beta Xi at-Large
  • 61—Beta Omicron
  • 62—Beta Pi
  • 63—Beta Rho at-Large
  • 64—Beta Sigma
  • 65—Beta Tau
  • 66—Beta Upsilon
  • 67—Beta Phi
  • 68—Beta Chi
  • 69—Beta Psi
  • 70—Beta Omega
  • 71—Gamma Alpha
  • 72—Gamma Beta
  • 73—Gamma Gamma
  • 74—Gamma Delta
  • 75—Gamma Epsilon
  • 76—Gamma Zeta
  • 77—Gamma Eta
  • 78—Gamma Theta
  • 79—Gamma Iota
  • 80—Gamma Kappa
  • 81—Gamma Lambda
  • 82—Gamma Mu
  • 83—Gamma Nu
  • 84—Gamma Xi at-Large
  • 85—Gamma Omicron at-Large
  • 86—Gamma Pi at-Large
  • 87—Gamma Rho
  • 88—Gamma Sigma
  • 89—Gamma Tau at-Large
  • 90—Gamma Upsilon
  • 91—Gamma Phi
  • 92—Gamma Chi
  • 93—Gamma Psi at-Large
  • 94—Gamma Omega at-Large
  • 95—Delta Alpha at-Large
  • 96—Delta Beta at-Large
  • 97—Delta Gamma at-Large
  • 98—Delta Delta
  • 99—Delta Epsilon
  • 100—Delta Zeta
  • 101—Delta Eta
  • 102—Delta Theta
  • 103—Delta Iota
  • 104—Delta Kappa
  • 105—Delta Lambda at-Large
  • 106—Delta Mu
  • 107—Delta Nu
  • 108—Delta Xi
  • 109—Delta Omicron
  • 110—Delta Pi
  • 111—Delta Rho at-Large
  • 112—Delta Sigma
  • 113—Delta Tau at-Large
  • 114—Delta Upsilon at-Large
  • 115—Delta Phi
  • 116—Delta Chi at-Large
  • 117—Delta Psi at-Large
  • 118—Delta Omega
  • 119—Epsilon Alpha
  • 120—Epsilon Beta (no longer exists)
  • 121—Epsilon Gamma at-Large
  • 122—Epsilon Delta at-Large
  • 123—Epsilon Epsilon
  • 124—Epsilon Zeta
  • 125—Epsilon Eta at-Large
  • 126—Epsilon Theta
  • 127—[Epsilon Iota] (supposed to be Wright State University, but administrative issues caused request for delay of charter; later became #163—Zeta Phi)
  • 128—Epsilon Kappa
  • 129—Epsilon Lambda
  • 130—Epsilon Mu
  • 131—Epsilon Nu at-Large
  • 132—Epsilon Xi
  • 133—Epsilon Omicron
  • 134—Epsilon Pi
  • 135—Epsilon Rho
  • 136—Epsilon Sigma at-Large
  • 137—Epsilon Tau at-Large
  • 138—Epsilon Upsilon
  • 139—Epsilon Phi
  • 140—Epsilon Chi
  • 141—Epsilon Psi
  • 142—Epsilon Omega
  • 143—Zeta Alpha
  • 144—Zeta Beta
  • 145—Zeta Gamma
  • 146—Zeta Delta at-Large
  • 147—Zeta Epsilon
  • 148—Zeta Zeta
  • 149—Zeta Eta at-Large
  • 150—Zeta Theta at-Large
  • 151—Zeta Iota
  • 152—Zeta Kappa at-Large
  • 153—Zeta Lambda
  • 154—Zeta Mu at-Large
  • 155—Zeta Nu
  • 156—Zeta Xi
  • 157—Zeta Omicron
  • 158—Zeta Pi
  • 159—Zeta Rho
  • 160—Zeta Sigma
  • 161—Zeta Tau (no longer exists)
  • 162—Zeta Upsilon at-Large
  • 163—Zeta Phi at-Large (originally supposed to be #127—Epsilon Iota)
  • 164—Zeta Chi at-Large
  • 165—Zeta Psi
  • 166—Zeta Omega at-Large
  • 167—Eta Alpha
  • 168—Eta Beta
  • 169—Eta Gamma
  • 170—Eta Delta
  • 171—Eta Epsilon
  • 172—Eta Zeta
  • 173—Eta Eta
  • 174—Eta Theta
  • 175—Eta Iota at-Large
  • 176—Eta Kappa at-Large
  • 177—Eta Lambda
  • 178—Eta Mu
  • 179—Eta Nu
  • 180—Eta Xi
  • 181—Eta Omicron
  • 182—Eta Pi
  • 183—Eta Rho
  • 184—Eta Sigma
  • 185—Eta Tau
  • 186—Eta Upsilon
  • 187—Eta Phi
  • 188—Eta Chi
  • 189—Eta Psi
  • 190—Eta Omega
  • 191—Theta Alpha
  • 192—Theta Beta
  • 193—Theta Gamma at-Large
  • 194—Theta Delta
  • 195—Theta Epsilon
  • 196—Theta Zeta
  • 197—Theta Eta (no longer exists)
  • 198—Theta Theta
  • 199—Theta Iota
  • 200—Theta Kappa (no longer exists)
  • 201—Theta Lambda at-Large
  • 202—Theta Mu
  • 203—Theta Nu
  • 204—Theta Xi
  • 205—Theta Omicron
  • 206—Theta Pi
  • 207—Theta Rho
  • 208—Theta Sigma
  • 209—Theta Tau
  • 210—Theta Upsilon
  • 211—Theta Phi
  • 212—Theta Chi
  • 213—Theta Psi at-Large
  • 214—Theta Omega
  • 215—Iota Alpha at-Large
  • 216—Iota Beta
  • 217—Iota Gamma
  • 218—Iota Delta at-Large
  • 219—Iota Epsilon
  • 220—Iota Zeta
  • 221—Iota Eta
  • 222—Iota Theta
  • 223—Iota Iota
  • 224—Iota Kappa
  • 225—Iota Lambda (no longer exists)
  • 226—Iota Mu
  • 227—Iota Nu at-Large
  • 228—Iota Xi at-Large
  • 229—Iota Omicron
  • 230—Iota Pi
  • 231—Iota Rho (no longer exists)
  • 232—Iota Sigma
  • 233—Iota Tau
  • 234—Iota Upsilon at-Large
  • 235—Iota Phi at-Large
  • 236—Iota Chi (no longer exists)
  • 237—Iota Psi
  • 238—Iota Omega
  • 239—Kappa Alpha
  • 240—Kappa Beta (no longer exists)
  • 241—Kappa Gamma
  • 242—Kappa Delta
  • 243—Kappa Epsilon at-Large
  • 244—Kappa Zeta at-Large
  • 245—Kappa Eta
  • 246—Kappa Theta
  • 247—Kappa Iota
  • 248—Kappa Kappa
  • 249—Kappa Lambda
  • 250—Kappa Mu
  • 251—Kappa Nu
  • 252—Kappa Xi
  • 253—Kappa Omicron
  • 254—Kappa Pi at-Large
  • 255—Kappa Rho
  • 256—Kappa Sigma
  • 257—Kappa Tau
  • 258—Kappa Upsilon
  • 259—Kappa Phi at-Large
  • 260—Kappa Chi
  • 261—Kappa Psi
  • 262—Kappa Omega
  • 263—Lambda Alpha at-Large
  • 264—Lambda Beta at-Large
  • 265—Lambda Gamma
  • 266—Lambda Delta
  • 267—Lambda Epsilon
  • 268—Lambda Zeta
  • 269—Lambda Eta
  • 270—Lambda Theta
  • 271—Lambda Iota
  • 272—Lambda Kappa
  • 273—Lambda Lambda
  • 274—Lambda Mu
  • 275—Lambda Nu (no longer exists)
  • 276—Lambda Xi (no longer exists)
  • 277—Lambda Omicron
  • 278—Lambda Pi at-Large
  • 279—Lambda Rho at-Large
  • 280—Lambda Sigma
  • 281—Lambda Tau
  • 282—Lambda Upsilon at-Large
  • 283—Lambda Phi
  • 284—Lambda Chi
  • 285—Lambda Psi
  • 286—Lambda Omega
  • 287—Mu Alpha
  • 288—Mu Beta
  • 289—Mu Gamma at-Large
  • 290—Mu Delta
  • 291—Mu Epsilon
  • 292—Mu Zeta
  • 293—Mu Eta
  • 294—Mu Theta at-Large
  • 295—Mu Iota
  • 296—Mu Kappa (no longer exists)
  • 297—Mu Lambda
  • 298—Mu Mu
  • 299—Mu Nu
  • 300—Mu Xi
  • 301—Mu Omicron
  • 302—Mu Pi
  • 303—Mu Rho
  • 304—Mu Sigma
  • 305—Mu Tau
  • 306—Mu Upsilon
  • 307—Mu Phi at-Large
  • 308—Mu Chi
  • 309—Mu Psi
  • 310—Mu Omega
  • 311—Nu Alpha
  • 312—Nu Beta at-Large
  • 313—Nu Gamma
  • 314—Nu Delta
  • 315—Nu Epsilon (no longer exists)
  • 316—Nu Zeta
  • 317—Nu Eta
  • 318—Nu Theta (no longer exists)
  • 319—Nu Iota
  • 320—Nu Kappa
  • 321—Nu Lambda
  • 322—Nu Mu
  • 323—Nu Nu
  • 324—Nu Xi at-Large
  • 325—Nu Omicron at-Large
  • 326—Nu Pi at-Large
  • 327—Nu Rho at-Large
  • 328—Nu Sigma
  • 329—Nu Tau
  • 330—Nu Upsilon
  • 331—Nu Phi
  • 332—Nu Chi
  • 333—Nu Psi
  • 334—Nu Omega
  • 335—Xi Alpha
  • 336—Xi Beta
  • 337—Xi Gamma
  • 338—Xi Delta
  • 339—Xi Epsilon
  • 340—Xi Zeta
  • 341—Xi Eta at-Large
  • 342—Xi Theta
  • 343—Xi Iota
  • 344—Xi Kappa at-Large
  • 345—Xi Lambda
  • 346—Xi Mu
  • 347—Xi Nu
  • 348—Xi Xi
  • 349—Xi Omicron at-Large
  • 350—Xi Pi
  • 351—Xi Rho
  • 352—Xi Sigma
  • 353—Xi Tau
  • 354—Xi Upsilon
  • 355—Xi Phi
  • 356—Xi Chie
  • 357—Xi Psi at-Large
  • 358—Xi Omega (no longer exists)
  • 359—Omicron Alpha (no longer exists)
  • 360—Omicron Beta
  • 361—Omicron Gamma
  • 362—Omicron Delta
  • 363—Omicron Epsilon
  • 364—Omicron Zeta
  • 365—Omicron Eta
  • 366—Omicron Theta
  • 367—Omicron Iota at-Large
  • 368—Omicron Kappa (no longer exists)
  • 369—Omicron Lambda
  • 370—Omicron Mu
  • 371—Omicron Nu
  • 372—Omicron Xi at-Large
  • 373—Omicron Omicron at-Large
  • 374—Omicron Pi (no longer exists)
  • 375—Omicron Rho
  • 376—Omicron Sigma at-Large
  • 377—Omicron Tau
  • 378—Omicron Upsilon
  • 379—Omicron Phi
  • 380—Omicron Chi
  • 381—Omicron Psi
  • 382—Omicron Omega (Alumni)
  • 383—Pi Alpha
  • 384—Pi Beta
  • 385—Pi Gamma at-Large
  • 386—Pi Delta
  • 387—Pi Epsilon at-Large
  • 388—Pi Zeta
  • 389—Pi Eta
  • 390—Pi Theta
  • 391—Pi Iota at-Large
  • 392—Pi Kappa
  • 393—Pi Lambda
  • 394—Pi Mu
  • 395—Pi Nu
  • 396—Pi Xi
  • 397—Pi Omicron
  • 398—Pi Pi
  • 399—Pi Rho (no longer exists)
  • 400—Pi Sigma
  • 401—Pi Tau
  • 402—Pi Upsilon
  • 403—Pi Phi
  • 404—Pi Chi
  • 405—Pi Psi
  • 406—Pi Omega
  • 407—Rho Alpha
  • 408—Rho Beta
  • 409—Rho Gamma
  • 410—Rho Delta
  • 411—Rho Epsilon
  • 412—Rho Zeta
  • 413—Rho Eta
  • 414—Rho Theta
  • 415—Rho Iota
  • 416—Rho Kappa
  • 417—Rho Lambda
  • 418—Rho Mu at-Large
  • 419—Rho Nu at-Large
  • 420—Rho Xi
  • 421—Rho Omicron
  • 422—Rho Pi
  • 423—Rho Rho
  • 424—Rho Sigma (no longer exists)
  • 425—Rho Tau
  • 426—Rho Upsilon
  • 427—Rho Phi
  • 428—Rho Chi at-Large
  • 429—Rho Psi
  • 430—Rho Omega (no longer exists)
  • 431—Tau Alpha
  • 432—Tau Beta
  • 433—Tau Gamma (no longer exists)
  • 434—Tau Delta (no longer exists)
  • 435—Tau Epsilon
  • 436—Tau Zeta
  • 437—Tau Eta
  • 438—Tau Theta
  • 439—Tau Iota
  • 440—Tau Kappa at-Large
  • 441—Tau Lambda at-Large
  • 442—Tau Mu (was Rho Sigma)
  • 443—Tau Nu
  • 444—Tau Xi
  • 445—Tau Omicron
  • 446—Tau Pi
  • 447—Tau Rho
  • 448—Tau Sigma at-Large (no longer exists)
  • 449—Tau Tau
  • 450—Tau Upsilon
  • 451—Tau Phi (no longer exists)
  • 452—Tau Chi
  • 453—Tau Psi at-Large
  • 454—Tau Omega
  • 455—Upsilon Alpha
  • 456—Upsilon Beta
  • 457—Upsilon Gamma (no longer exists)
  • 458—Upsilon Delta
  • 459—Upsilon Epsilon
  • 460—Upsilon Zeta
  • 461—Upsilon Eta
  • 462—Upsilon Theta
  • 463—Upsilon Iota
  • 464—Upsilon Kappa
  • 465—Upsilon Lambda
  • 466—Upsilon Mu at-Large
  • 467—Upsilon Nu
  • 468—Upsilon Xi at-Large
  • 469—Upsilon Omicron
  • 470—Upsilon Pi
  • 471—Upsilon Rho
  • 472—Upsilon Sigma
  • 473—Upsilon Tau
  • 474—Upsilon Upsilon
  • 475—Upsilon Phi
  • 476—Upsilon Chi
  • 477—Upsilon Psi (Alumni)
  • 478—Upsilon Omega
  • 479—Phi Alpha
  • 480—Phi Beta
  • 481—Phi Gamma (Virtual)
  • 482—Phi Delta at-Large
  • 483—Phi Epsilon
  • 484—Phi Zeta (no longer exists)
  • 485—Phi Eta
  • 486—Phi Theta
  • 487—Phi Iota
  • 488—Phi Kappa
  • 489—Phi Lambda
  • 490—Phi Mu
  • 491—Phi Nu
  • 492—Phi Xi
  • 493—Phi Omicron
  • 494—Phi Pi
  • 495—Phi Rho
  • 496—Phi Sigma
  • 497—Phi Tau
  • 498—Phi Upsilon
  • 499—Phi Phi
  • 500—Phi Chi
  • 501—Phi Psi
  • 502—Phi Omega at-Large
  • 503—Chi Alpha at-Large
  • 504—Chi Beta
  • 505—Chi Gamma
  • 506—Chi Delta
  • 507—Chi Epsilon
  • 508—Chi Zeta
  • 509—Chi Eta
  • 510—Chi Theta
  • 511—Chi Iota
  • 512—Chi Kappa
  • 513—Chi Lambda
  • 514—Chi Mu
  • 515—Chi Nu
  • 516—Chi Xi at-Large
  • 517—Chi Omicron at-Large
  • 518—Chi Pi
  • 519—Chi Rho
  • 520—Chi Sigma
  • 521—Chi Tau at-Large
  • 522—Chi Upsilon
  • 523—Chi Phi
  • 524—Chi Chi
  • 525—Chi Psi
  • 526—Chi Omega
  • 527—Psi Alpha at-Large
  • 528—Psi Beta
  • 529—Psi Gamma (no longer exists)
  • 530—Psi Delta
  • 531—Psi Epsilon
  • 532—Psi Zeta at-Large
  • 533—Psi Eta
  • 534—Psi Theta at-Large
  • 535—Psi Iota
  • 536—Psi Kappa
  • 537—Psi Lambda
  • 538—Psi Mu
  • 539—Psi Nu
  • 540—Psi Xi
  • 541—Psi Omicron
  • 542—Psi Pi
  • 543—Psi Rho
  • 544—Psi Sigma
  • 545—Psi Tau
  • 546—Psi Upsilon
  • 547—Psi Phi
  • 548—Psi Chi
  • 549—Psi Psi
  • 550—Psi Omega at-Large
  • 551—Omega Alpha
  • 552—Omega Beta
  • 553—Omega Gamma
  • 554—Omega Delta
  • 555—Omega Epsilon at-Large
  • 556—Omega Zeta
  • 557—Omega Eta
  • 558—Omega Theta
  • 559—Omega Iota
  • 560—Omega Kappa
  • 561—Omega Lambda
  • 562—Omega Mu at-Large
  • 563—Omega Nu
  • 564—Omega Xi
  • 565—Omega Omicron
  • 566—Omega Pi
  • 567—Omega Rho at-Large
  • 568—Omega Sigma (no longer exists)
  • 569—Omega Tau (no longer exists)
  • 570—Omega Upsilon
  • 571—Omega Phi
  • 572—Omega Chi
  • 573—Omega Psi
  • 574—Omega Omega
  • 575—Alpha Alpha Alpha
  • 576—Alpha Alpha Beta
  • 577—Alpha Alpha Gamma
  • 578—Alpha Alpha Delta
  • 579—Alpha Alpha Epsilon
  • 580—Alpha Alpha Zeta
  • 581—Alpha Alpha Eta
  • 582—Alpha Alpha Theta
  • 583—Alpha Alpha Iota
  • 584—Alpha Alpha Kappa
  • 585—Alpha Alpha Lambda at-Large
  • 586—Alpha Alpha Mu
  • 587—Alpha Alpha Nu at-Large
  • 588—Alpha Alpha Xi
  • 589—Alpha Alpha Omicron
  • 590—Alpha Alpha Pi
  • 591—Alpha Alpha Rho
  • 592—Alpha Alpha Sigma
  • 593—Alpha Alpha Tau
  • 594—Alpha Alpha Upsilon
  • 595—Alpha Alpha Phi
  • 596—Alpha Alpha Chi at-Large
  • 597—Alpha Alpha Psi
  • 598—Alpha Alpha Omega
  • 599—Alpha Beta Alpha
  • 600—Alpha Beta Beta
  • 601—Alpha Beta Gamma
  • 602—Alpha Beta Delta
  • 603—Alpha Beta Epsilon at-Large
  • 604—Alpha Beta Zeta
  • 605—Alpha Beta Eta
  • 606—Alpha Beta Theta
  • 607—Alpha Beta Iota
  • 608—Alpha Beta Kappa
  • 609—Alpha Beta Lambda at-Large
  • 610—Alpha Beta Mu
  • 611—Alpha Beta Nu
  • 612—Alpha Beta Xi
  • 613—Alpha Beta Omicron
  • 614—Alpha Beta Pi
  • 615—Alpha Beta Rho
  • 616—Alpha Beta Sigma at-Large
  • 617—Alpha Beta Tau at-Large
  • 618—Alpha Beta Upsilon at-Large
  • 619—Alpha Beta Phi
  • 620—Alpha Beta Chi
  • 621—Alpha Beta Psi at-Large
  • 622—Alpha Beta Omega
  • 623—Alpha Gamma Alpha
  • 624—Alpha Gamma Beta
  • 625—Alpha Gamma Gamma
  • 626—Alpha Gamma Delta
  • 627—Alpha Gamma Epsilon
  • 628—Alpha Gamma Zeta
  • 648—Beta Beta (Houston)

Updated 10 June 2019

Scope and Content:

The Sigma Theta Tau International Records document the history of the growth and development of the society. Although the records deal mainly with the organization after 1970, programs, minutes, publications, and oral histories help complete the history of the organization from its beginning in 1922. This collection of materials helps trace the history of professional nursing not only at Indiana University, but also throughout the world.

Board of Directors Records, 1922-2015 Contain the minutes and correspondence related to the decision-making body of the organization. Divided into several components, the Board Records contain minutes and correspondence from the Board of Directors, building corporation files, foundation board files, national officer correspondence, and committee files. The Board of Directors minutes are the best place to look for information about the earliest history of the organization. Included in the board minutes are financial information, committee and officer reports, chapters inducted, and information about programs initiated by STTI. Although incomplete from 1929-1951, these files offer the most comprehensive look at the development of STTI. This series also contains files from the Building Corporation and the Foundation Board both formed in the early 1990s to hold the title of the headquarters and to safeguard the society's assets. These files include meeting minutes and development information. National Officer Files contain officer correspondence from 1969 through 1999. This correspondence deals with the governance of Sigma Theta Tau International. Biographical information about the officers is located in the History Records and in video interviews.

Another component of the Board of Directors Records is the Committee Records. These files contain the minutes, correspondence, and reports associated with the committees of the organization. These records contain the specific details of the development of certain programs and practices such as the 75th anniversary celebration as well as committees responsible for the ongoing operations such as the publications and research committees. Detailed information is available on the majority of the committees. The most extensively documented, however, include the Research Committee and the Regional Chapter Coordinating Committee (RCCC). In addition to minutes and correspondence, the Research Committee Files contain correspondence and applications for the approved STTI research grants. The RCCC records help trace the development of regional efforts through correspondence from the committee and the regional officers, Regional Assembly programs, and committee minutes. This is the best place to find information about governance on a regional level.

Conference and Convention Records, 1929-2016 Contain the minutes and publications from the Biennial Convention and other conferences sponsored by STTI. The Biennial Convention is the organization's major event and gathers delegates from every chapter for the conduct of society business, conference sessions, awards ceremonies, and research presentations. The materials included in these files are minutes from the House of Delegates, the Biennial Report of STTI, programs and proceedings, abstracts from scientific and leadership sessions, award lists, and chapter biennial reports. The minutes are a good place to find information about motions, actions taken, and, in earlier years, meeting attendees. In the earlier years, the minutes were narrative with a switch in the late 1990s to highlighting actions. This is also a good place a find a compilation of the programs and events of STTI.

Other conferences in this series include the International Research Congress, theory conferences, writer's seminars, and STTI sessions at other nursing conventions. These include programs, evaluations, and handouts from these events. The International Research Congress is the most extensively documented of the conferences because of its role in moving STTI into the international sector. Materials from the research congress include programs and proceedings, correspondence, and research abstracts.

Administrative Records, 1920-2005 Include information that deals with the daily functions of STTI. The International Headquarters and its staff are responsible for carrying out the programs and policies approved by the Board of Directors. These files document that role through the various areas of responsibility at the headquarters. Information dealing specifically with the building and its development along with other fundraising campaigns, paper records of non-history video productions such as Nursing Approach and Cameo, audits, and membership surveys comprise this series.

These files also include information about chapters throughout the world, fundraising and development, the Virginia Henderson International Nursing Library, member services, programs, and public relations.

Chapter Records, 1920-2007 Include information about the development and operations of STTI chapters. The chapters have two important designations: the Greek name and chapter number. Although the Greek name of the chapter does not change, STTI renumbered the chapters during the 1973/74 fiscal year because of the dissolution of the Beta Chapter (originally chapter #2). After the removal of this chapter, the numbers for all STTI chapters shifted.

The largest portions of these files are the annual report files, chapter development files, and the chapter financial report files. The annual report files document the leadership, membership statistics, and scholarly activities of the chapters. The development files contain the applications for the charter, the original petition, and listing of the founding members. The financial report files document their fiscal activities during the year. A directory of STTI chapters is located at http://chapterdirectory.nursingsociety.org/#/. STTI maintains this directory and it is searchable by chapter name or location. Guidelines and evaluation tools for the chapter are also contained this section. Further information about chapter induction and reports is located in the Board of Directors and Biennial Convention files.

Award Records, 1954-1999 Contain information about the awards and scholarships offered by STTI. The records include the applications of award winners, award descriptions, and the names of award winners. Among the awards included are the Founder's Awards, Honorary Membership Awards, chapter awards, International Heritage Awards, and Lifetime Achievement Awards.

History Records, 1920-2000 Contain information about the people involved in the creation and development of STTI. Included in these records are biographical information and scripts from interviews with the founders, presidents, and society leaders of STTI. Used in concert with taped interviews, these provide first-hand accounts of the major events and people that influenced STTI. The two major parts of this series is the Beyond Alpha video interviews with five of the founders and the Past President/Executive Officer Oral History Series.

Publication Records, 1930s-2005 Consist of the materials published by STTI, including annual reports, brochures, manuals, handbooks, journals, magazines, and monographs. The publications provide information about the history of STTI as well as its programs and activities. The handbooks and manuals are historical evidence of the steps taken to create chapters both in the United States and internationally and of the ceremonies important to the organization. Other publications important to understanding STTI are the newsletter, Reflections, and the scholarly journal, Image. Reflections highlights the events that shape STTI while Image focuses on the research conducted by STTI members or through STTI grants. Monographs published by STTI add to the understanding of the research focus of the organization and include publications resulting from STTI research grants.

Accruals:

Presented by Sigma Theta Tau International, Indianapolis, IN, February 2001. Accessions: A2000/01-015, A2002/03-005, A2002/03-013, A2003/04-013, A2003/04-031, A2004/05-013, A2007/08-017, A2007/08-032, A2009/10-010, A2010/11-011, 2016/17-036.

Processed by Debra Brookhart, Charles Delporte, Emily Dill, September 2004 and August 2009; processed by Courtney Rookard in 2016.

Rules or conventions:
DACS-Describing Archives: A Content Standard
General note:

Rights Statement: The text of this webpage is available for modification and reuse under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License and the GNU Free Documentation License (unversioned, with no invariant sections, front-cover texts, or back-cover texts).

Bibliography:

Vision of 75 Years: An Anniversary Celebration 1922-1997, Center for Nursing Press: Indianapolis, 1997.

Sigma Theta Tau International Website: http://www.nursingsociety.org/

Watts, Nell. The Adventurous Years: Leaders in Action 1973-1993, Center for Nursing Press: Indianapolis, 1997.

Online content

Access

RESTRICTIONS:

Access to the "Research Grants" sub-series is available pending redaction of Social Security Numbers. The rest of the collection is open to the public without restriction.

TERMS OF ACCESS:

The copyright laws of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) govern the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material.

PREFERRED CITATION:

Sigma Theta Tau International, Inc. Records, 1920-2016, Ruth Lilly Special Collections and Archives, University Library, Indiana University Indianapolis.

CAMPUS:
IUPUI
LOCATION OF THIS COLLECTION:
IUPUI University Library
755 West Michigan Street
Room 0133
Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
CAMPUS:
IUPUI
CONTACT:
speccoll@iupui.edu