Clarkson
College has a long tradition of academic excellence. Founded in 1888 as Bishop
Clarkson College of Nursing, the school has been at the forefront of nursing in
Nebraska for over 120 years, first as a diploma program, then as a degreegranting
program and now as a comprehensive institution of higher learning. In 1988 the
school received North Central accreditation followed by accreditation of the
baccalaureate program in nursing from the National League for Nursing (NLN). In
1991 the college name was changed and other programs added so that today there
are many professional health care programs all accredited by their respective
accrediting agencies. In March of 1995, the baccalaureate program in nursing
received continuing accreditation and the master's program in nursing received
initial accreditation from NLN.
In March
of 1986, the dean of nursing became interested in having an honor society in
nursing that would recognize those who had demonstrated superior academic
performance and who had distinguished themselves as clinical scholars and
leaders. In April of 1986, a steering committee, made up of faculty (Dr. Gloria
Gross, Dr. Mary Larson, Mary Margaret Schaffner, Mary Kelly and Marcia Stone),
was formed to organize the development of an honor society. They drafted bylaws
in September 1987, which were accepted by the College Council in October of
1987. The structure and the bylaws of the honor society were modeled after
those of Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) and had as their goals the following:
(1) to foster high professional standards, (2) to encourage creative work, and
(3) to strengthen the commitment to the ideals and purposes of the nursing
profession. A nominating committee of faculty was formed and a ballot was
prepared.
The first
annual meeting was held in November of 1988. From 1988 through 1991, annual
inductions were held. In 1991, Dr. Fay L. Bower helped the honor society board
in its efforts to become a chapter of STTI. She assisted the honor society board
interpret and use the materials from STTI as they formalized the structure and
operations of the honor society.