History

Establishing the Mu Nu Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International

The Mu Nu Chapter of Sigma Theta International had its beginnings in 1984, when California State University, Fresno (CSUF) nursing faculty members, Greta Wong, Pat Kissell, Deborah Stanley, Diane Rowe, and Janice Blood-Siegfried, perceived a need to recognize nurses in the community with superior academic achievements, to promote professionalism in nursing, and to generate interest in nursing research. In the fall of 1985, a steering committee was established with five members, three CSU faculties, one-community member, and one CSUF student. This committee, approved b Sigma Theta Tau International. The newly formed organization was named the CSUF Nursing Honor Society in the fall of 1986. Members and officers worked diligently to seek an official charter from Sigma Theta Tau International. A Charter Ceremony was held in May 5, 1990, at the Tower Theater in Fresno.

Membership

Mu Nu Chapter has had an induction ceremony each year since the organization was first established. The purpose of this important annual event is to induct student members and outstanding nurse leaders from the local community. The first induction ceremony was held October 23, 1986, at the old CSUF Cafeteria. During this first ceremony, 35 members were inducted and officers were elected for the first time. The most recent induction ceremony was held May 3, 2003, at the Total Life Center at St. Agnes Medical Center in Fresno. Twenty-four undergraduate nursing students and two community nurse leaders were inducted at this ceremony.

Research

The CSUF Nursing Honor Society (later to become the Mu Nu Chapter) and the CSUF Department of Nursing cosponsored the First annual Research Conference held on April 8, 1987. Dr. Rozella Schlotfeldt, a prominent nurse leader, was the keynote speaker. This annual event has become a highly respected forum for the dissemination of nursing research by prominent nurse leaders, faculty, and graduate nursing students. The Nursing Research conference is held during the spring of each year on the CSUF campus.

Scholarship

In 1994, Mu Nu Chapter awarded a scholarship for the first time in the amount of $500 to undergraduate student, Debra Jo Dowdy. Since then one or two scholarships have been awarded each year. In 2003, a scholarship was presented to nursing student, Wonae Kim.

Leadership

Each year Mu Nu Chapter recognizes its own members who have demonstrated outstanding nursing leadership in the following areas of practice: clinical, education, leadership, mentorship, and research. Receiving this recognition for 2003 are Cassandra Hall, clinical; Dee Chamberlain, education; Stephanie Robinson, leadership; Carol Coppock, mentorship; and Ken Kirksey, research. In 2005, Mu Nu member, Eleanor Stittch was inducted into the Nursing Hall of Fame.