Pi Beta Chapter History
The Pi Beta Chapter of the Honor Society for Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International has reached a milestone and is celebrating the 10th Anniversary since becoming a charter member. Dr. Marlene Mitchell-Tibbs vigorously began efforts in 1986 to develop a nursing honor society while she was Director of the Baccalaureate Nursing Program at Columbus State University. Student enrollment and graduation rates were not sufficient at that time to provide the numbers of charter and annual members necessary to support an honor society, and ultimately a chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International. Other methods were sought to promote an atmosphere of academic excellence with a focus on the importance of research and scholarly activities in nursing. One significant activity was the initiation of the Helen T. Milian (former Chair of the Department of Nursing) Lectureship and Research Conference in 1989.
In September 1993, the nursing faculty voted to begin a local nursing honor society at Columbus College (renamed Columbus State University in June 1996). A steering committee of faculty, alumni, students, and community leaders with Dr. Mitchell-Tibbs as Chair was established to develop the nursing honor society. A petition was submitted to the Associate Dean of Students to form a new student organization on campus, and the society was recognized on campus in 1994. A total of 96 members were inducted each year from 1994 until 1996 at three induction ceremonies. During this time, the Program Planning Committee and Executive Committee met on a regular basis to plan scholarly programs that would promote membership involvement. Spring meetings focused on research and scholarly activities while fall meetings focused on clinical practice oriented sessions and issues in health promotion and maintenance and the health care environment. The Helen T. Milian Lectureship and Research Conference continued as an annual event. The honor society sponsored representatives to attend regional and international meetings of Sigma Theta Tau International.
With increased graduation rates and interest from nurse leaders in the community, the honor society applied to be recognized as a chapter by Sigma Theta Tau International. The Pi Beta Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International received the official charter in November 1997 at the 75th Anniversary Celebration in Indianapolis, IN. Faculty members who attended the convention included: Marlene Mitchell-Tibbs, Jean Arrighi, Rhonda Hollis, Peggy Batistini, and Wanda Coffey (student).
The Pi Beta Chapter chartering ceremony was held at the Medical Center, Columbus Regional Conference Center on 15 May 1998. The chartering officer was Lillian G. Douglass, RN, PhD, Sigma Theta Tau International Director. A total of 116 local leaders were inducted as charter members.
The Pi Beta Chapter has increased membership to approximately 300 members. An induction ceremony is held annually and a research conference or educational conference continues to be an annual event. Members participate in community service projects throughout the year in an effort to be visible within the community. The chapter sponsors delegates to the Sigma Theta Tau International Biennial Conventions and several Pi Beta members have presented at the International Nursing Research Conferences the most recent being in Montreal, Canada.