About Rho Chapter

 Sigma Rho  

Sigma Honor Society of Nursing

Sigma is the only international nursing honor society. It has 469 chapters in 86 countries. Belonging to Sigma provides opportunities for professional development, partnerships with other professional nurses, and membership in a global community of nursing scholars. Learn more about Sigma's mission, vision, membership, and services in this Organizational factsheet.

History 

In 1922, six students at the Indiana University Training School for nursing founded Sigma Theta Tau, choosing as a name the Greek words Storgé, Tharsos, and Timé meaning "love," "courage" and "honor" in reflection of their ideals. From this modest beginning, Sigma has grown to over 250,000 members worldwide who represent 72 countries and provinces (membership data, 1999). The founders envisioned a community of nurses that recognized and encouraged superior scholarship and leadership in the field, and this remains the core objective and accomplishment of Sigma today. For more information, see the Sigma website. 

Rho Chapter facts and history

Rho Chapter was chartered June 8, 1959 as the 16th chapter of Sigma and the second chapter in the State of Michigan. Since then we have inducted over 4,500 members, making us one of the largest chapters. The chapter celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2019.

More about Rho Chapter history

While originally primarily a student organization, in the 1970s the chapter expanded in coordination with the national organization to include involvement by both faculty and community leaders. Always moving forward, in 1984 when the Rho chapter was celebrating its 25th anniversary, it was also mentoring other new chapters including those at Eastern Michigan University and Northern Michigan University. By 1999 it had established an International Support Endowment Fund to assist Rho members from third world countries with paying dues. Today, the Rho Chapter remains active in achieving the organization's fundamental mission and creating a community of nursing scholars at the University of Michigan.

A total of 45 students and faculty were inducted as Charter Members of Rho Chapter during its inaugural year. During the next ten years, many students were inducted, and the average graduating class in the early 1960s was between 200 and 300 students. During these years, Rho Chapter was primarily a student organization with a few faculty members inducted each year.
 
In the 1970s, Rho Chapter moved to a more inclusive organization with involvement by both faculty and community leaders. The development of Rho Chapter would not have been possible without the phenomenal development of the organization at the national level. By the late 1970s, Sigma, with Nell Watts as the Executive Officer and Sister Rosemary Donley as President, set the pace and sparked an enthusiasm and zest for nursing scholarship and leadership which permeated the entire Sigma organization.
 
During the 1980s, Rho Chapter provided the opportunity for nursing students, educators, researchers, practitioners, and administrators from all healthcare settings to work together for the betterment of the profession and the fulfillment of the purposes of Sigma. During this time, Rho chapter member Susan Boehm was elected National First Vice-President, Linda Daniel elected National Secretary, Ruth Barnard elected Chair of the National Research Committee, and Nadine Nelson elected Nominations Chair of the National Governing Board. Rho Chapter was the first chapter to host a reception for candidates for National Office at the Biennial Convention.
 
In 1984 Rho Chapter celebrated the 25th Anniversary with a gala dinner and presentation by the National President of Sigma. Dr. Angela McBride, who was the featured speaker at Rho Chapter’s 25th anniversary celebration, returned to honor Rho Chapter’s 50th anniversary at the Dean’s Research Day event in 2009.
 
Rho Chapter celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2019. Rho Chapter has a long history of supporting nursing research, scholarship, and professional development through grants and continuing education programs. The chapter co-sponsors a variety of conferences and supports research days at the School of Nursing and UM Health System. The Chapter also annually presents awards to nurses who have demonstrated excellence in various roles of nursing. Rho Chapter maintains several funds to support membership dues for financially needy students and members, including the Ketefian fund for potential members from low-income countries. This fund was established with the generous support of Dr. Shake Ketefian, Professor Emerita, who has a long history of support for international nursing.