INDIANAPOLIS — Western Governors University’s newly chartered chapter of the International Honor Society of Nursing was recently awarded two Regional Excellence Awards for its contribution and commitment to the mission of Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) in promoting nursing excellence.
The awards commended WGU Indiana’s Psi Upsilon chapter for its promotion of world health through policy activities and commitment to lifelong learning. The recognitions follow an extensive two-year chartering process during which WGU Indiana’s competency-based academic criteria were recognized by STTI as comparable to traditional models of demonstrated academic excellence.
“The approval of WGU’s academic criteria illustrates that all students identified as eligible for membership in STTI have demonstrated academic honors comparable to nursing students in the U.S. and abroad,” explained Dr. Jan Jones-Schenk, academic vice president of WGU’s College of Health Professions.
The STTI recognition allowed the WGU Nursing Honor Society to transition to a Sigma Chapter, chartered as Psi Upsilon, which was made official in a ceremony officiated by Dr. Ken Dion, secretary of the Sigma Board, in July. Dr. Carole Liske, president of Psi Upsilon, says Indiana holds special significance for STTI and WGU Indiana. “Sigma was founded in 1922 by Indiana nursing students, and the international headquarters remains located in Indianapolis. The mission of the non-profit organization — to advance world health and celebrate nursing excellence – mirrors the mission of WGU Indiana, to advance a unique academic model in promoting student success and professional excellence.”
For more information on the WGU Indiana College of Health Professions, visit the WGU Indiana website. For more information on Psi Upsilon, contact psiupsilonchapter@wgu.edu.
