November 6, 2021
Beta Kappa Turns 50
2022 marks the 50th anniversary of the founding of Beta Kappa, the School's Sigma nursing honor society.
What began as a discussion among faculty in the mid-1960s to recognize nursing student standouts has evolved into a society that today sponsors a lecture series, supports scholarships and Distinguished Nurse Awards, and has offered more than 30 years of community service.
As Beta Kappa has grown, so, too, has its parent society and peer chapters. In 1972, when the first induction ceremony took place at UVA, there were 57 nursing honor society chapters. Today, there are more than 530. A look at Beta Kappa, BY THE NUMBERS.
1972
The year Beta Kappa - the School's Sigma nursing honor society - began
80
Number of new members inducted in its inaugural year
35
Number of Beta Kappa presidents who have served (1972-2021)
BSN student Gretchen Kelly (center) with associate professor Mary Hazzard (right) in 1973, at Sigma Theta Tau's 50th anniversary with national first vice-president Sister Rosemary Donley (left).
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Dean Rose Marie Chioni (second from left) spoke with Beta Kappers at a post-ceremony reception in 1974.
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A Beta Kappa induction in 1974, McLeod Hall.
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A Beta Kappa induction in 1975.
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As the School of Nursing's enrollment swelled through the 1980s and 90s, so too did the number of Beta Kappa inductees.
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Now-professor, nurse scientist, and NIH-funded scholar Randy Jones (right) was inducted by prof. David Simmons circa 1999.
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Professor Emily Drake was president of Beta Kappa from 1995-96, and continues to be an active Beta Kappa member.
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Professor emeritus Ken White was Beta Kappa president from 2016-2017.
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2020 marked Beta Kappa's first-ever virtual ceremony, which inducted 55 new members into its ranks and featured remarks by president and professor Sharon Bragg and Dean Pam Cipriano.
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30+
Number of years Beta Kappers have volunteered at Charlottesville's 'Fridays After Five'
530
Total number of Sigma honor society chapters; when Beta Kappa began, there were 57
8
Number of Sigma Key Awards the Beta Kappa chapter has earned
$15
Annual dues in 1972, though a $75 payment entitled the inductee to a lifetime membership
397
Current active Beta Kappa members