Chapter History
Alpha Eta Chapter, the 29th Sigma Theta Tau International Chapter, was established on May, 22, 1964. In 1961, Led by Lida Chase, president of the Nursing Student Body, UCSF students and faculty began to formally build the foundations for Alpha Eta Chapter. Faculty members most involved from 1961 to 1964 were Miss Janet Erickson and Mrs. Jean Burroughs. Installation of the chapter was held on May 22, 1964. Dr. Catherine McClure, the National President of STT, our first president, Teresa Campbell, and vice-president Shirley Sears Chater presided over the installation of 57 charter members.
In the ensuing years since Chapter establishment, Alpha Eta has forged a close relationship to the research-intensive School of Nursing which fostered it. Our consistent attention to seed grant funding has supported growth of doctoral student research, prompted faculty collaborations with medical center staff for better outcomes in patient care, and provided matching funds for expansion of research programs in quality care. The Chapter has sponsored research and leadership conferences annually, often in collaboration with other scholarly organizations or STTI chapters, and we have developed leaders in education, research, and service. Current efforts include support of research activity in Africa through an at-large chapter, local community activities in collaboration with other campus and regional efforts to heighten public support for charitable works, and planning for endowing research funding for the future.
In the ensuing years since Chapter establishment, Alpha Eta has forged a close relationship to the research-intensive School of Nursing which fostered it. Our consistent attention to seed grant funding has supported growth of doctoral student research, prompted faculty collaborations with medical center staff for better outcomes in patient care, and provided matching funds for expansion of research programs in quality care. The Chapter has sponsored research and leadership conferences annually, often in collaboration with other scholarly organizations or STTI chapters, and we have developed leaders in education, research, and service. Current efforts include support of research activity in Africa through an at-large chapter, local community activities in collaboration with other campus and regional efforts to heighten public support for charitable works, and planning for endowing research funding for the future.