Chapter History: The Growing Years (1970 - 1980)
The Beginning
Between 1970 and 1980, the chapter grew rapidly in the areas of membership and research. During these years, enrollment in the School of Nursing was high, and the chapter accommodated the growing number of students who met the eligibility requirements for membership began (in 1979) holding two, instead of one, inductions a year - one in the Spring and one at the end of Summer.
Research in nursing was beginning to be valued by the profession and thus, this ten-year period witnessed the explosion of chapter activities related to research. To fulfill its commitment to the goals of Sigma Theta Tau to promote knowledge development, knowledge dissemination, and knowledge utilization, the chapter established an annual Undergraduate Research Symposium, co-sponsored Research Ideas Days for faculty and nurse clinicians, and supported a Graduate Student Research Day. Early on, the School of Nursing became a leader in promoting and conducting research in the Southern part of the United States, and consequently, the chapter was selected to host Sigma Theta Tau's Third (in a series) Regional Research Conference for the nine Southern chapters in 1970. The conference theme was "Utilization of Research Findings to Improve Patient Care," which was an innovative idea for its time. The purpose of the regional meetings of chapters was to provide a form for implementation of creative approaches to meeting the purposes of a national honor society of nursing.
To foster the continued growth of scholarship within the nursing profession, the chapter sponsored presentations by distinguished nurse leaders, people who were pioneers and trendsetters in professional nursing. This included such nurses as Dr. Norma Lang (nurse administrator and advocate for quality assurance in nursing education and practice), Dr. Dorothy Ozimek (Director of Baccalaureate and Higher Degree Programs for the National League for Nursing), Drs. Beatrice and Phillip Kalish (researchers on the images of nursing as depicted in the public media), and Kristine Gebbbie (a leader in the movement to develop a classification scheme of Nursing Diagnoses). Interactions with these distinguished leaders were intellectually and professionally stimulating. The chapter also sponsored workshops on writing for publication, coping with death, and national health insurance.
The chapter also engaged in some "fun" activities as well. A Halloween theme which included bobbing for apples, was used for the annual Founder's Day celebration. 
The annual induction ceremonies for 1978 & 1979 took a departure from previous years and were held prior to presentation of a play at the Celebrity Dinner Theater in Vestavia. A good time was enjoyed by all - family, friends, and significant others. The chapter also sponsored a "Roast" of Dean O'Koren (in 1978) at which faculty colleagues told funny stories about the honoree. These types of events were very well attended and brought tears of laughter to the eyes of those being honored. This event was especially enjoyable and intellectually inspiring.
 |  |
| Dr. Barker toasts Dean O'Koren | Dean O'Koren gets standing ovation |
 |
| Dean O'Koren sheds tears of laughter |
Although there had been an earlier attempt to publish a chapter newsletter, it wasn't until 1979 that first regular annual newsletter was prepared and mailed to all active members. Vice President Debbie Hodges was editor for the first newsletter, which was called the Recorder.
The chapter's Presidents who invested their time and energy into the growth of the Chapter through these developing years were: Nancy Patterson (1969-71), Nell Jernigan (1971-72), Nancy Patterson (1972-74), Eloise Clark (1974-75), Debra Broughman (1975-78), and Dr. Billie Rozell (1978-79). The Chapter appreciated their commitment and promotion of Sigma Theta Tau's research goals.