Twenty-second Annual Induction and Awards Ceremony
Theta Alpha, Sigma Theta Tau, April 22, 2006
University of Massachusetts, Boston Campus
 The 22nd Theta Alpha Chapter Induction and Awards Ceremony was celebrated on Saturday, April 22, 2006 at the Phillips Old Colony House in Dorchester. Twenty-eight (28) inductees, accompanied by their families and loved ones, joined faculty, award recipients and invited guests for this wonderful occasion.
In addition to the 28 inductees who participated in the ceremony, and additional twenty (20) applicants were accepted into Theta and STTI. The total of 48 new members is the hightest in recent memory. For the first time ever, students were pre-selected based on their GPA and class rankings and were invited by email to apply for membership. The process, known as the induction management system, went fairly smoothly, considering that this was our chapter's first experience with this new system.
The festivities began with opening remarks by our chapter president Richard Ruel, MS, RN, followed by a a meal of chicken teryaki, ziti with tomato sauce and cheese, rice pilaf, tossed salad, rolls and butter, coffee and tea, and chocolate mousse and whipped cream for dessert. After the meal, there were formal greetings and congratulations from Associate Dean Marion Winfrey, EdD, RN, who represented Dean Greer Glazer, PhD, FAAN, RN CND, who was unable to attend due to prior commitments
For the second consecutive year, the inductees were oriented to the chapter with a powerpoint presentation by Susan Frazier, BS, RN, chairperson of Theta Alpha Leadership Succession Committee. Susan provided commentary on the slides, including additional information and insight into Sigma Theta Tau and our local Theta Alpha Chapter.
The formal ceremony of induction of new members came next. President Richard Ruel, continued a tradition begun by immediate past chapter president, Stephanie Devik, BS, RN, by inviting the inductees to write brief autobiographical sketches to be read at the induction ceremony. As each candidate's name was announced, their respective biographies were read by either Cynthia LaSala, MS, RN or Seth Katz, RN. BSN.
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 literature about Sigma Theta Tau.
Each candidate signed a bound registry book in fushcia/orchid ink, the society's colors. The new inductees were assisted on the stage by Stephanie Devik, Vickie Palmer-Erbs, Ph.D, and Susan Hoban, MS, RN, CPAN, CAPA. The autobiographical 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.
The Induction ceremony was followed by the presentation of awards.
The 2006 Theta Alpha Award Recipients are listed below:
Margaret Anderson Memorial Scholarship: for Outstanding Student Performance: Susan J. McNeely
Arlyne Barnett Undergraduate Scholarship: Brittany Ann Holley
Anne Kibrick Leadership Award: Richard Ruel, MS, RN
Pearl Rosendahl Excellence in Nursing Education: Joanne Dalton, PhD, APRN, BC
Outstanding Service to Nursing Award: Florence M. Grant, BSN, RN
President's Award: Susan Frazier, MS, RN
Much work went into making this grand event the success that it was. Ms. Devik, with assistance from husband Tim Devik, once again oversaw the printing of the attractive programs (with purple border of course), the printing of the award letters, and the engraving of the plaques, the beautiful floral arangements, and many other details. Dr. Marion Winfrey, Treasurer, registered people at the door and handled the cash. She was assisted by Cynthia LaSala and Governance Committee member Susan Hoban. Marina Donahue and Jennifer Rifenberg were in charge of the raffles. 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. Karen Dick, PHD, APRN, Faculty Advisor, was in charge of the membership drive and Induction Management System; she was assisted by Richard Ruel who oversaw the guest list and the biography statements of the inductees. Joanne Dalton, 2nd Vice President, chaired the Awards Committee, and Vicky Palmer-Erbs The Research Committee.
Theta Alpha is deeply grateful to the following individuals and businesses for their contributions to our raffle : The Boston Red Sox, The Huntington Theather Company, Elizabeth de Rham, The Ruel family, and Ed Mullen of Martha's Bicylcles, Plymouth, Ma.
Services used to prepare for Theta Alpha induction:
Engraving:
Crown Trophy
300 Oak St.
Suite 1215
Pembroke, MA 02359
781-829-0606
Program Printing:
We Print Today
66 Summer St.
Rt. 3A
Kingston, MA 02364
781-585-6021
Flowers:
Coleen's
Dorchester, MA
617-282-0468
Printing of Certificates:
Timothy Devik 508-224-8853
Items ordered from STTI well in advance of induction (Jan. or Feb.):
View photos of the ceremony
View photos of inductees
View photos of award recipients
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