Kent State University at Ashtabula’s Gamma Sigma Chapter of the Alpha Delta Nu Nursing Honor Society inducted its first seven members this semester. The newly formed society welcomed Melanie Collins, Kelly Gargas, Rebecca Groth, William Hancock, Julie Newmeyer, Randi Williams, and Stephanie Yopp. The students are all working towards their Associate Degree in Nursing, have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, and have demonstrated conduct on campus and in the clinical areas that reflects integrity and professionalism. Students were presented with an honor society pin and special cords to wear at graduation on May 13.
“Being elected to the Gamma Sigma chapter of Alpha Delta Nu is a true honor and reward for three years of hard work. It represents the level of commitment that my family and I have given to making school a success. It is their sacrifice and understanding that has allowed me to achieve this honor,” said inductee William Hancock.
As part of the commitment to membership in the Gamma Sigma Chapter of Alpha Delta Nu, the students were asked to develop a project that would benefit the nursing program in a significant way. The students decided to form “Operation Help” to provide encouragement and assistance to first year nursing students on the campus to help them successfully complete their first year in the degree program.
“It was truly an honor to work with this group of highly motivated and professional students. The project they developed benefitted our first semester nursing students with the intention of helping them to be successful in their pursuit of becoming a registered nurse. I couldn’t be more proud to serve as their faculty advisor,” said Julie Senita, Associate Professor in Nursing and Faculty Advisor to Alpha Delta Nu.
In addition to requiring academic excellence of its members, Alpha Delta Nu also encourages students to pursue higher levels of education in nursing. This was especially important to Randi Williams. “The ADN Honors Society is encouragement that I'm on the right path to continuing my education and advancing in nursing. I'm also grateful to have my academic success acknowledged," Williams said. Inductee Julie Newmeyer echoed the same sentiments, stating “As a future registered nurse, membership in the Alpha Delta organization will set me apart from other applicants as I continue my education towards my BSN-MSN Degree.”
Julie Senita and Nursing Program Director Sherry Detrick presided over the ceremony, and Dr. Susan Stocker, Dean and Chief Administrative Officer for the campus, made remarks and added her congratulations.
Detrick remarked that “We are proud to recognize the high caliber of students enrolled in our nursing program. Each day in our community, nurses truly change lives by caring for patients with diligence and kindness. Achieving a nursing degree requires a strong mental fortitude. That fortitude provides the foundation for the rigorous career in healthcare experienced by professional nurses. Kent State Ashtabula realizes that nursing students who exemplify superior achievement should be honored, as they will be the future of quality healthcare in our community.”