Penn College

Sigma Theta Tau nursing honor society chapter established

Officers and new inductees celebrate after a chapter of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing was officially chartered at Pennsylvania College of Technology. Credit: Penn College / Penn StateCreative Commons

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – Pennsylvania College of Technology’s Bachelor of Science Nursing Honor Society was officially chartered as a chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International during a ceremony on the college’s campus on April 12.

Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing was founded in 1922. The founders chose its name for the Greek words storgé, tharsos and timé, meaning love, courage and honor.

Sigma Theta Tau President Beth Baldwin Tigges presided over the chartering ceremony, establishing the Omega Theta Chapter at the college. It is the 558th Sigma Theta Tau chapter established. To become a chapter, the college followed a six-phase process that began with founding the Penn College Bachelor of Science Nursing Honor Society in 2017.

Tigges also inducted chapter officers Monica A. Flexer, president, who received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the college in 2016 and is an adjunct instructor of nursing/practical nursing, and Valerie Myers, outgoing treasurer, assistant dean of nursing.

Other officers installed were Vice President Donnamarie Lovestrand, instructor of nursing; Secretary Dawn E. Murafka, instructor of nursing; Treasurer Margaret M. Faust, associate professor of nursing; and counselors Jessica L. Bower, simulation laboratory coordinator for nursing education, and Samantha M. Weaver, learning laboratory coordinator for nursing education.

In addition to Flexer and Myers, 25 new members, who include current students and alumni, were inducted to the society, pledging to fulfill the society’s “commitment to nursing excellence, knowledge, service and leadership” throughout their careers.

To be eligible for membership as an undergraduate, students must have completed half of their nursing curriculum, achieve academic excellence in the form of a 3.0 or higher GPA, rank in the top 35 percent of their graduating class, and meet the expectation of academic integrity.

To be eligible for membership as a nurse leader, a candidate must be legally recognized to practice nursing in their country, have a minimum of a baccalaureate degree, or the equivalent, and demonstrate achievement in nursing.

The new inductees are:

Students

Kaitlyn L. Andersen, of Mastic, New York; Rachel L. Carlson, of Blossburg; Meagan S. Dailey, of Dushore; Daria Datsenko, of Lewisburg; Erica L. Gause, of Bloomsburg; Hope V. Guthoff, of State College; Genevieve F. Guzman, of Pottsville; Olivia Hauger, of Lewisburg; Jean A. Laird, of Jersey Shore; Ashley N. Miller, of Lewisburg; Danielle E. Moore, of Osceola Mills; Danielle K. Rothra, of Williamsport; Joshua N. Tubbs, of Williamsport; Mylasia A. Watkins, of Howard; and Nicole G. Werts, of Cross Fork.

Alumni

Richard J. Cabral, ’14; Morgan E. Foust, ’17; Angela R. Lee, ’17; John M. Matthews, ’18; Andrew L. Mattocks, ’17 (with additional Penn College degrees in applied health studies, ’11, and paramedic technology, ’06); Dana S. Sealander, ’17; Rene Ramirez, ’17; Duncan Rodriguez, ’17; Kristin A. Weaver, ’17; and DeAnna M. Yerger, ’17 (with additional Penn College degrees in computer aided drafting, ’04, and architectural technology, ’99).

Penn College offers several associate and bachelor’s degree options in the nursing field and is developing curriculum for a master’s degree in nursing with program options in family nurse practitioner and nursing education. To learn more, visit www.pct.edu/nursing or call 570-327-4519.

For information about Penn College, a national leader in applied technology education, visit www.pct.edu, email admissions@pct.edu or call toll-free 800-367-9222.

Last Updated April 26, 2019