STTI History in Texas - The University of Texas at El Paso School of ...

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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, it is one of the largest
and most prestigious nursing organizations with more than 130,000 members in 469
Chapters which includes 86 International chapters.
The history of Sigma Theta Tau Chapters in Texas begins with the chartering of
the first chapter, Alpha Delta, in 1963 at the University of Texas School of Nursing in
Galveston, Texas. At that time, the School of Nursing had its clinical component at the
University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. The nursing students took all their
prerequisite courses at the Austin campus or at another college or University and
completed their baccalaureate and clinical courses at the Medical Branch in Galveston.
In 1967, a major reorganization within the University of Texas System occurred
and nursing courses were offered at both the Austin and Galveston campuses. The name
of the school became the University of Texas Nursing School (System-wide). In 1972,
the name changed again to the University 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 University 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. Thirtytwo
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 nursing programs at UTEP and New Mexico State University,
in Las Cruces, NM worked collaboratively on many projects. In addition, NMSU nursing
faculty were invited to join STTI as members of the Delta Kappa Chapter. The annual
Scholarly Day was a shared activity. The Delta Kappa Chapter sponsored the creation of
the Pi Omega Chapter at New Mexico State University.
Over the years, the UTEP administration has been very supportive of the School
of Nursing and the Delta Kappa Chapter activities. Our Chapter submitted the nomination
of President Diane Natalicio for honorary membership to STTI. She received this honor
and was inducted at the Biennial Meeting in San Diego in 1999.
As a Delta Kappa Chapter member, you have a strong heritage of nursing
leadership and active professional involvement. This history is your legacy and serves as
a pathway to the future. It is an exciting time to be in nursing.