History
BRIEF HISTORY OF ALPHA KAPPA CHAPTER-AT-LARGE
Six young nursing students at the Indiana University Training
School of Nurses, now the Indiana University School of Nursing in
Indianapolis, IN, founded sigma Theta Tau in 1922. With the full
idealism of women forging pathways of change in the 1920's, they
successfully created a framework to encourage future leaders to
improve health care.
Beginning in July 1963, communication began between the CU
School of Nursing and Sigma Theta Tau International, as CU students
were interested in forming a chapter. On Saturday, January 15,
1966, Alpha Kappa Chapter received its charter from Dr. Virginia
Crenshaw, National President of Sigma Theta Tau. Dr. Kathryn Smith,
Dean of the CU School of Nursing, responded for the school and Miss
Patricia Slinkard, a senior nursing student, was installed as the
first chapter President. The 90 charter members felt "the pursuit
of excellence should be fostered, recognized, and rewarded."
In 1979, discussions began with the national office about
forming a citywide chapter consisting of the University of Colorado
and Loretto Heights College. The national office determined two
mechanisms by which a chapter-at-large would be formed: 1) by one
or more schools of nursing joining together to form one chapter, or
2) by an established chapter amending its charter to join with a
developing honor society. On January 23, 1982, a rechartering
ceremony was held as Alpha Kappa Chapter (originally chartered at
the University of Colorado) amended its charter to include Loretto
Heights College. Thus, Alpha Kappa became the first chapter to
become a chapter-at-large via the charter amendment mechanism.
In the spring of 1988, a decision was made by the Loretto
Heights College Board of Trustees to transfer control of the
Nursing Program to Regis University. The last class to graduate
from Loretto Heights College School of Nursing was May 1988 and
then all nursing program operations were taken over by Regis
University in July 1988.
The outstanding nurses from these three institutions, the
University of Colorado, Loretto Heights College and Regis
University, have been instrumental in assuring the success of Alpha
Kappa Chapter-At-Large.
Through our 30 plus years, scholarship and practice have been
supported through research conferences, seminars, and clinical
practicums. The chapter has also supported numerous research
students. From a beginning number of 90 members, Alpha Kappa now
boasts over 1,000 current members! As we look ahead, we will
continue to strive to improve the health of people worldwide
through the advancement of nursing leadership and scholarship.
Presidents
|
Terms of Office
|
|
Patricia Slinkard
|
1965-1967
|
|
Lorrie Boos
|
1967-1968
|
|
Betsy Thomas
|
1968-1969
|
|
David Minzes
|
1969-1970
|
|
Frances Dalme
|
1970-1971
|
|
Mary Ann VerSteeg
|
1971-1972
|
|
Janice Smith
|
1972-1974
|
|
Vivian Rust
|
1974-1975
|
|
Barbara Lowe
|
1975-1976
|
|
Jo Ann Glittenburg
|
1976-1977
|
|
Ginette Pepper
|
1977-1979
|
|
Ruth Harboe
|
1979-1980
|
|
Michael Carter
|
1980-1982
|
|
Marie Milliken
|
1982-1984
|
|
Marilyn Stember
|
1984-1986
|
|
Ginette Pepper
|
1986-1988
|
|
Maureen Keefe
|
1988-1990
|
|
Kathy Magilvy
|
1990-1992
|
|
Margaret Kinneer
|
1992-1994
|
|
Judith Barton
|
1994-1996
|
|
Lola Fehr
|
1996-1998
|
|
Ginette Pepper
|
1998-2000
|
|
Nancy Kiernan Case
|
2000-2002
|
|
Marie Miller
|
2002-2004
|
|
Mary McHugh
|
2004-2006
|
|
Linda Campbell
|
2006-2008
|
| Sara Jarrett |
2008-2010 |