On Wednesday, April 16, all of the valiant hard work that more than 60 Georgia Southern University nursing students placed into their academic nursing career paid off as each newly inducted student walked across the stage in front of all their loved ones and peers to receive their pinning entry into a global community of nurse leaders.
Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing is considered a significant and prestigious organization within the nursing field as the second-largest nursing organization in the world.
Founded in 1922 by six nursing students at Indiana University, the organization has since grown from the original six members into more than 100,000 active members in more than 600 chapters in over 100 countries all around the world.
To earn such a prestigious invitation, these newly inducted students had to achieve academic excellence based on a set criteria with their program, rank within the highest 35 percent of their nursing class, and place countless hours of work into being the best they can be in their academic studies.
Georgia Southern University's chapter president Dr. Tonya Sellars began with the introduction of all of the senior chapter officers and welcomed everyone in attendance to this prestigious ceremony.
Dr. Sellers would formally introduce the speaker of the evening chapter President Elect Dr. Nancy Hurlock. Dr. Hurlock is an associate professor for the School of Nursing on the Statesboro campus, and she is the president of United Advanced Practice Registered Nurses of Georgia.
Dr. Hurlock spoke on the dedication each of these remarkable students during their tenure in the nursing program, praising the new inductees on the journey they will continue to take as they transition into the next chapters of their career.
“You made a choice to keep going, to keep working hard, and that's what greatness is built on. But this is just the beginning. The white coat is only the seed. The purple cord that you will display on graduation day is only the beginning of demonstrating your excellence," Hurlock said. "Where you go from here, how you lead, how you serve, and how you inspire is what's truly going to anchor you and your merit and your professional growth. This moment is indeed just a milestone; it's not a finish line. The world is awaiting your impact. This is the beginning, but make it meaningful. So along with my fellow chap leaders, we honor your journey. We congratulate you, and we can't wait to see the impact you will have.”
The students would then reach a moment in the ceremony that each individual worked tirelessly towards, as they all stood together in solidarity to be welcomed into Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.
Each student recited the pledge accepting into membership the privileges and responsibilities of Sigma Theta Tau International.
All of the new members were called up to receive their certificate into the honors society for the outstanding academic accomplishment in the program. Families, friends, loved ones, and faculty and staff members watched as these new inductees walked across the stage knowing that all of their hard work paid off.
The ceremony closed with Dr. Sellars taking a moment to recognize friends and families for the support they have given the students throughout the journey, noting that because of their love and support, these new members were able to reach this level of success.
Heartfelt smiles, flashing cameras, blooming flower bouquets, honorary purple cords, and the prestigious chapter pins filled the Performing Arts Center venue as the new inductees left the ceremony to celebrate with their loved ones, walking out as a new member of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.
2025 Rho Psi Inductees
Undergraduate Students
- Meya Adams
- Brianna Aldrich
- Bailey Batten
- Sara Bevill
- Jordan Bigham
- Courtney Blasingame
- Katherine Bradford
- Lucy Bradley
- Trinity Brisbane
- Ansley Brodie
- Savannah Caddell
- Tabitha Chege
- Taylor Currington
- Eliza Dees
- Carleigh Defee
- Virginia Deloach
- Elizabeth Duetmeyer
- Trinity Dulong
- Madison Durden
- Hannah Evans
- Hannah Faer
- Madison Farmer
- Jaasira Fossitt
- Ansley Gibbs
- Anslie Glisson
- Casie Graham
- Julianne Grubb
- Saranan Hardee
- Clarie Harper
- Joseph Howard
- Sharri Hurst
- Molly Janocha
- Collin Jowers
- Zoey Koltz
- Ethan Lasenyik
- Ashley Lewis
- Emma Loden
- Filomena Naporano
- Amani Newson
- Sophie Nowell
- Chanel Paris
- Catherine Parker
- Juliette Parker
- Gabriel Ramirez
- Dejah Randell
- Nia Reneua
- Maryanna Rippy
- Meegan Roberts
- Payton Shelnut
- Haley Smith
- Kayla Synder
- Kinley Tucker
- Anna Turner
- Sydne Twarosch
- Jayla Wallace
- Kennedy Wesolowski
- Kailyn Wiater
- Ashley Winkels
- Heather Yuill
Graduate Students
- Melissa Hirsch
- Chelsea Mason
- Rachel Quinn