Chapter History: The Adolescent Years (1980 - 1990)
The rapid growth years were followed by active adolescent years, which were characterized by more research endeavors, recognition of excellence in nursing leadership, the establishment of an awards program, the offering of scholarly programs, and participation in special celebrations. Individual chapter members ventured beyond the local chapter and became actively involved at the regional, national, and international levels.
Professional advancement through nursing research was the focus of many of the chapter activities during this ten-year period. This emphasis was consistent with the Society's The Ten Year Plan which had three components - knowledge development, knowledge dissemination and knowledge utilization. Early on the chapter recognized the need to promote knowledge development through nursing research at the local level and established a program to award seed grants to nurses who were interested in conducting clinical research. The chapter continued to sponsor the Undergraduate Research Symposia and to promote the Graduate (Student) Research Day. At the state level, the chapter became involved with co-sponsoring research conferences and programs with other state organizations such as ASNA's Council of Nurse Researchers. At the regional level, the chapter co-hosted (with several other chapters in Region 3) a workshop on Research Utilization in May 1989. In recognition of the increasing number of research studies, the chapter established a research awards program.
A major effort for the Chapter was the hosting of the first Region 3 Assembly in November of 1982. Joan Burttram Carlisle coordinated this effort with volunteer help from other chapter members. Over 200 attended the meeting from the 6 southern states of Kentucky, Tennessee, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, and Alabama. As became a custom at Regional Assemblies, the President of Sigma Theta Tau (Dr. Carol Lindeman) attended the event. Dr. Lindeman was the author of the Society's "The Ten Year Plan" which provided the framework for the organization between 1980 and 1990. Anne Belcher was Region 3 Coordinator for this initial, big event for the region.
Along with its continued emphasis on nursing research, the Chapter also began to recognize excellence in nursing leadership. An awards program to honor outstanding nurse leaders within the community of Birmingham was established in 1981. Dr. Jean Kelley was the first recipient of this award. Other recipients of this annual award were Dr. Ann Belcher and Jo Kicker. Later the awards program was expanded to include a variety of awards in areas such as Nursing Leadership, Mentorship, Education, Practice, and Research.
As the number of awards grew, so also did the need to schedule a separate chapter event to recognize those who were to be honored. The first awards ceremony and dinner was held at the eloquent Carraway House in Hoover. 
On this occasion, the Chapter also honored Mrs. Minnie Gaston, from Birmingham, for her contributions to nursing as an advocate in the political environment of Washington DC. The second annual awards ceremony was held in 1989 at The Club. Ida V. Moffett, former Dean and founder of the School of Nursing at Samford University was the main honoree on this occasion. She was also a National Honorary Member of Sigma Theta Tau. In terms of a milestone, the chapter gave its first scholarships to undergraduate nursing students at this event.
The chapter continued to induct new members based on their scholarship and leadership. Because the recently established Division of Nursing at Birmingham Southern College was closing and would not be able to establish a chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International, Nu Chapter was asked to consider inducting their Nursing Honor Society members as members of Nu Chapter. Headquarters approved this request, and thus, Birmingham Southern's Nursing Honor Society members and those students who met the eligibility criteria for membership were inducted into Nu Chapter in 1989.
Between 1980 and 1990, Nu chapter frequently co-sponsored (along with the School of Nursing) lectures by eminent national nurse leaders, scholars, and theorists. Visiting professors who participated in these presentations were Dr. Kathryn Barnard (a Maternal-Child nurse researcher), Dr. Rozella Schlotfeldt (pictured on left) (a innovative educator, scholar, thinker, and administrator), Dr. Lucie Kelly ( a writer and educator), Sister Callista Roy (a nurse theorist), and Dorothea Orem (a nurse theorist), Betty Neuman (a nurse theorist), Joyce Clifford (a nursing administrator), and Dr. Jacqueline Fawcett ( author and writer in theory development). Other educational programs sponsored by the chapter focused on Hospices, meta analysis, and communication and health care.
The 1980s was also a time for celebration. In 1980 the School of Nursing celebrated its 30th anniversary, and the keynote speaker was Sister Rosemary Donley, the then current President of Sigma Theta Tau. At the Chapter's 25th anniversary in 1983, three nurses (Drs. Jean Kelley, Kathleen Mikan and Anne Belcher) were recognized for their contributions to the chapter and the Society. The third major chapter-sponsored celebration that occurred during this ten-year time period was A Salute to Dean Marie O'Koren in 1987. 
At the Founder's Day luncheon in 1989 at the Club, Jean Kelley was once again honored by the chapter and this time it included a "roast". A portion of the proceeds from the event was donated in Dr. Kelley's name to Sigma Theta Tau International's Center for Nursing Scholarship. Like other chapter celebrations, Nu chapter members knew how to have fun while recognizing the outstanding accomplishments of its members.
An endeavor that promoted special pride in Nu chapter and the University of Alabama School of Nursing was the chapter's contributions to the production of a videotape Richness and Diversity of Nursing which was premiered at the 60th Anniversary at the 1983 Biennial Convention in Boston. The videotape's production was coordinated by Dr. Kathleen Mikan and depicted nine professional roles of the nurse and contained pictorial contributions from over 100 different sources in the United States. The videotape received a standing ovation from over 1000 nurses when it was premiered at the Biennial convention.
Between 1980 and 1990, several individual members of new chapter were elected to regional, national, and international positions within the Society. At the 26th Biennial convention in Minneapolis in 1981, Dr. Ann Belcher, a faculty member, was elected to serve as the first Chapter Coordinator for Region 3 which included the Southeast US (chapters in Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas.) Ann served in this capacity for two terms (1981-1985). Another Nu chapter member, Joan Burttram Carlisle, succeeded her. Joan served as the Region 3 Chapter Coordinator for two terms (1985-1989).
At the 28th Biennial convention in Indianapolis, Dr. Kathleen Mikan was elected International Secretary. She was re-elected in 1987 and 1989. Because Nu Chapter members were active nationally, the chapter received invitations to host special events for the Society. For example, Birmingham was chosen to be one of 16 receiving sites for the first national nursing teleconference titled "Knowledge Building for Nursing's Future" which was aired live on January 20, 1987. Nu chapter co-hosted this event with the Gamma Eta chapter at Samford University. The teleconference was free and open to the public; it was the official kick-off of a $4M campaign for the construction of a Center for Nursing Scholarship.
The 1989 Biennial convention in Indianapolis was a significant milestone for Society as well as for the Chapter. The dedication of the International Center for Nursing Scholarship and the Nursing Library was the highlight of the 5-day conference. By virtue of her position as International Secretary, Kathleen Mikan was actively involved in the dedication ceremony. Because Nu is the oldest chapter in the state, Nu Chapter President Dr. Dianne Piazza represented all the chapters in Alabama in the formal processional of national and international dignitaries in academic attire. 
Following the dedication, members and visitors toured the $4.3M building and enjoyed its beauty and grandeur. After many years of dreaming, planning, and fundraising, the chapters and members were proud of the contributions individuals and corporations had made to help the Center become a reality. 
u Chapter contributed $3,000 toward cost of constructing the Center. Our contribution is acknowledged by a Nu Chapter brick (an inscribed block of wood) on the commemorative wall on permanent display in the lobby of the Center.
In 1989 the Chapter contributed financial support for Kathleen Mikan to attend the Sigma Theta Tau's Fifth International Nursing Research Congress in Taiwan. During her visit to Asia, she coordinated the videotaping of the chartering of the first two chapters outside of North America - South Korea and Taiwan. These videotapes are now a part of the Society's archives in Indianapolis.
The chapter continued to celebrate "Founder's Day" each fall in the School of Nursing while the smell of popcorn filled the air. The chapter also celebrated its 30th anniversary in 1988.
The chapter Presidents who provided the leadership through these active, energetic adolescent years were: Melinda Beswick (1979-81), Dr. Joan Burttram Carlisle ( 1981-73), Dr. Beth Stullenbarger (1983-87), Dr. Karen Morin (1987-89), and Dr. Dianne Piazza (1989-91). Their dedication to scholarship, research and leadership greatly enhanced the Chapter's visibility among our professional colleagues at the local, regional, national, and international levels.