The 21st Theta Alpha Chapter Induction and Awards Ceremony was celebrated on Saturday, April 23rd, 2005 at the Phillips Old Colony House in Dorchester. Forty (40) inductees, accompanied by their families and loved ones, joined faculty, award recipients and invited guests for this wonderful occasion. The festivities began with opening remarks by our chapter president Richard Ruel, MS, RN, followed by a formal greetings and congratulations from Associate Dean Marion Winfrey, EdD, RN who
represented Dean Greer Glazer, Ph.D. FAAN, RN, CND, who was unable to attend due to family commitments. 
professional nurse as clinician, scholar, teacher, policy analyst, political activist, and provider of services to the local community. Dr. Mahony had the audience talking among themselves about her 75/25 theory---the 75 percent referring to things you have to do in life e.g. housework vs. the 25 percent, things that you enjoy doing. At the end of the day, people were trying to figure out how to apply this theory of priorities to their lives, some noting that there is a lot piling up in the 25% column and that the 75% column never goes down, and the whole 
thing on many days seemingly adds up to more than 100%. On a less philosophical and more serious note, Dr. Mahony reviewed her research
with children who witnessed domestic violence (not the direct target of abuse) and its impact on their lives. She also discussed her research on drug abuse during pregnancy, as well as her clinical experiences with disadvantaged/poverty stricken families in Chelsea. 
LaSala, MS, RN or Seth Katz. As the bios were being read, the candidates approached the podium and were individually greeted by the President. The
candidates then proceeded to a stage area where they received their Sigma Theta Tau certificates, Sigma ribbons, Sigma membership cards, and optional additional Sigma jewelry and honor cords. Each candidate signed a bound registry book in fushcia/orchid ink, the society's colors. The new inductees were assisted on the stage by Karen Dick, PhD. APRN, BC, FAANP, Joanne Dalton, PhD, RN, Vickie Palmer-Erbs, Ph.D, RN., and Judith Lee, BS, RN. The bio sketches were well received by the inductees and their guests
as it personalized the new inductees and refocused the ceremony on them as was intended by then President Devik in 2004. 
mother, daughter, friend and the beautiful human being that she was. She also recalled Arlyne's role as leader and founder of Theta Alpha, the lengthy process and the years of effort it took to get the chapter established in 1984. She then introduced the first recipient of the newly named Arlyne Barnett award, Aji Philip, a very bright (3.9) student of the BBN (Bring the Best and Brightest to Nursing) program., a U.S and Human Service grant funded to increase the racial and cultural diversity of men and women entering the nursing workforce. Aji was obviously very honored and touched by the honor, and delivered a humble, grateful, well prepared short speech, thanking all of her UMASS Professors and the Barnett family 
for the great honor. Several other awards were given, all which will be listed at the end of this article. The presentation of awards award segment of the program was hosted by Senior Faculty Counselor, Karen Dick, Ph.D, APRN, BC, FAANP, and 2000-2002 President Margaret McAllister, PhD, FNP, FAANP, and Richard Ruel. 
some assistance from Tim Devik). In addition to the board members and
helpers already listed in their respective induction day roles, Dr. Marion
Winfrey, Treasurer, registered people at the door, sold Sigma sweatshirts and honor cords, and handled the cash. She was assisted by Cynthia LaSala and Governance Committee member Susan Hoban MS, RN, CPAN, CAPA. Donna Simono, BS, RN, First Vice President, was in charge of the raffles and silent auction. She was assisted by Marina Donahue of the Leadership Succession Committee and Judith Lee, BS, RN, Chapter Secretary. Early reports are that this was a record fundraiser for Induction Day. Seth Katz 
provided the laptop, other equipment and provided general assistance with the media presentation. Phil Girard, Theta Alpha's Webmaster, served as media consultant and photographer. Phil will also be getting the photos and accompanying captions and stories on the website. 
addition, Theta Alpha is grateful to Tim Devik for his invaluable assistance the programs and award certificates and Emily Ruel for typing the candidate biographies. 
The 2005 Theta Alpha Award Recipients