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UT Tyler Announces Nursing Honor Society Chapter Expansion

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May 11, 2016

Media Contact:  Hannah Buchanan
Editor/Writer–Strategic Communications & Media Relations
Marketing and Communications
The University of Texas at Tyler
903.539.7196 (cell)

The University of Texas at Tyler Iota Nu Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society for nursing has joined with East Texas Baptist University and Texas A&M Commerce University to form an at-large chapter.

A re-chartering ceremony and induction dinner was held at The Cascades Country Club in Tyler. Eighty-nine nursing students and nurses were inducted, with their current and future contributions recognized.

"A charter amendment was gained in November 2015, and our local chapter will now be the Iota Nu Chapter At-Large with a purpose to advance knowledge, participate in collaboration and service and to establish an atmosphere of life-long learning. We are thrilled to celebrate this meaningful event," said Connie Wyszynski, Iota Nu-At-Large president.

This important partnership expands on opportunities to meet the mission of Sigma Theta Tau, which is to provide leadership and scholarship in nursing practice, education and research, enhance the health of all people and support the learning and professional development of members. The Iota Nu Chapter, with more than 325 current members, was originally established in 1985 and chartered on March 13, 1988.

"This historic re-chartering and induction dinner and ceremony marks the beginning of a broader impact to influence nursing in East Texas," said Dr. Colleen Marzilli, UT Tyler assistant professor and chapter officer. "Among those inducted are undergraduate students who show a wonderful promise to advance nursing and current registered nurses working to complete their baccalaureate degree, master's degree and doctoral degree. Nursing leaders were also inducted into this important organization for nurses."

UT Tyler student inductees are categorized by degree and listed by hometown.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing
ATHENS – Valarie Dawn Pagitt.
BELTON – Karley Corrine Geiger.
BIG SANDY – Makaia Malorie Prescott.
BULLARD – Rachel Ann Jones.
CARTHAGE – Nicholas Robert Sturm.
CIBOLO – Katherine Elizabeth Zagurski.
FARMERS BRANCH – Meliza Alvarez.
FLOWER MOUND – Sara Alisha Thomas.
GILMER – Chelsea Sherie Miears and Megan Nicole Webb.
GLADEWATER – Rae Ann Vrzalik.
GRAPEVINE – Carsyn Elizabeth Holmes.
HALLSVILLE – Joshua Thompson Merrill.
HENDERSON – Kristine Joellah Uy-Oco.
HUGHES SPRINGS – Clinton Mitchell Deaver.
JACKSONVILLE – Todd Bryant Bockowski and Nelcy Mata.
LINDALE – Emily Joy Moyer.
LONGVIEW – Heather Joy Ballew and Kayla Nicole Tolar.
MAYDELLE – Luke Austin Campbell.
MINEOLA – Jessica Nicole Glasscock.
NECHES – Ronny George.
PALESTINE – Hillarie Lois Garcia and Dixie Rene Rose.
RICHARDSON – Julia Marilyn Bauernfeind.
RUSK – Cassie Jean Webb.
SPRING – Monal R. Shaw.
TYLER – Hannah R. Armendarez, Annie Lee Brumit, Crystal Marie Cooper, Jessica Ann Diffey, Dana Nicolette Essex, Tara C. Frazier, Araceli B. Gomez, Laura Lee Hoyt, Zachary Alan Johnson, Carly Jo Moore, Jessica Bobae Oh, Heather Dawn Prewitt, Virginia Rebollar, Mary K. McKenna Richey, Brandi Suzanne Rinlee, Autumn Lea Ruark, Kirsten S. Waller and Kristen Elizabeth Wisdom.
WASKOM – Elba Zorayda Garcia.
WHITEHOUSE – Haley Marie Foster, Cody Daniel Henson, Alisan T. McNulty and Jessa Mae Segaya.
RN-BSN
ROUND ROCK – Melissa Palmer Sauls.
TYLER – Rei R. Santos and Madrine Zulu.
Graduate and Doctorate
AUSTIN – Daira Dian Wilson.
BRYAN – Teresa Dejesus Ramirez.
DALLAS – Stephanie Clair Crowe and Don Berry.
FLINT – Dona Kay Atkins.
GILMER – Royce Leon Hudgins.
JACKSONVILLE – Michele Lee Bentoski.
LANCASTER – Esther O. Touray.
LEWISVILLE – Crystal Thomas.
LITTLE ELM – Ursula M. Sparks.
MARSHALL – Gizza Pricilla Belgard.
MOUNT PLEASANT – Jami L. Baker.
MURCHISON – Teisha Touchon Clay.
NACOGDOCHES – Bethany Lee Rudolph.
PFLUGERVILLE – Mendy Sharpe.
PRINCETON – Shandalyn Ann Cerda.
RICHARDSON – Barbara R. Chapman.
ROCKPORT – Tara Tucker Vaughn.
ROWLETT – Jennifer Jimenez Sauls.
TROUP – Lavada Lynn Fields.
TYLER – Raychelle Blue, Elnora Marie King, Philip Ondara and Shalanda Stokes.
WACO – Katrina Marie George.
WHITE OAK – James Andrew Leath.
LOUISIANA – Gena R. Millslagle.
NEW JERSEY – Cherish LeAnn Ford.
VIRGINIA – Tara Conte.

Nursing students who maintain a GPA of greater than or equal to 3.0 and are included in the top 35 percent of their graduating class will receive an invitation to join STTI. Nurses enrolled in a master's or doctoral degree program may be inducted after completing one fourth of their degree program with a GPA of 3.5 or higher. Nurse leaders who have proven leadership and meet criteria set by the STTI board will also be eligible for induction into STTI.
Sigma Theta Tau International is an international honor society for nurses. The society, started by six nursing students in 1922, has grown to more than 135,000 active members in more than 90 countries with approximately 500 chapters worldwide.

One of the 14 campuses of the UT System, UT Tyler features excellence in teaching, research, artistic performance and community service. More than 80 undergraduate and graduate degrees are available at UT Tyler, which has an enrollment of more than 8,500 high-ability students. UT Tyler offers courses at its campuses in Tyler, Longview and Palestine as well as a location in Houston.