The educational context for an honor society in Nursing was established by an American nurse missionary, Miss Letty Wood, a graduate of New York University, who was the first dean of the 4-year BSN program at Silliman University in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, Philippines, 1947 to 1951. This development made Silliman University College of Nursing (SUCN), the first BSN program in the regions of the Visayas and Mindanao.

 

This rich educational context was further strengthened by Miss Maria Concepcion M. Roble who obtained her Masters in Nursing from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, and became the first Filipino SUCN dean, from 1954 to 1980. She assumed a dual role by also becoming the Director of Nursing Services of the then Silliman University Mission Hospital. It was during her long tenure as dean that students and graduates were known to have internalized her strong values of professional nursing: values that were anchored in a science-based education which taught nurses to function in managing the care of individuals, families, and groups, regardless of creed, religion, and nationality. Indeed, Miss Roble’s passion for excellence was manifested in the excellent records that SUCN graduates demonstrated in Licensure examinations and in their professional practice. Several of these graduates were also appointed to the SUCN faculty.

 

Dr. Maria Teresita Sy-Sinda, SUCN Dean, 1987 to 2010, was the first dean who expressed an interest in developing a Sigma Theta Tau chapter at Silliman University. Current SUCN faculty who were also teaching during her tenure, attest to the high interest in STTI that senior faculty shared with Dr. Sinda.

 

It was not a coincidence that Dr. Sinda’s successors, Prof. Florenda F. Cabatit, the Dean after her; Dr. Evalyn Abalos, and Prof. Tita Dumalag, the SUCN Officer-in-Charge during Dr. Abalos’ leave for a semester, shared her passion and dedication to bolster SUCN’s link to the international nursing world through STTI. Their excellent rapport with students, faculty, alumni, and other community nurse leaders inspired potential honor society members.

 

The passion to establish an honor society in nursing was equally burning in the hearts of a number of alumni who are already STTI members. Noteworthy among these alumni are: Dr. Luth M. Tenorio, Dean Emerita, Seattle University; Dr. Felella K. Millman, Director, Non-traditional Programs, Seton Hall University; Betsy Jackson, MSN, RN, an exceptional nurse leader who mentored many Filipino nurses in Canada; and Laura Domingo Garcia, MSN, PhDc, STTI Volunteer Ambassador who graciously acted as off-shore president. These four alumni organized as an SUCNHS support group and infused fire into the dream for STTI membership. They were joined by Dr. Dely Po-Go, Owner and President of the LLC Nursing Network of New Jersey and Ms. Guadalupe Bernardez-Hicks, Consultant, Hospital & Health Care, Greater New York City Area. These alumni poured in needed assistance which paved the way to making our dream a reality. They also provided SUCN with numerous STTI literature and linked us to appropriate resource persons at STTI headquarters who were helpful in firming up the ground for an honor society. They showered us with their brand of inspiration that kept us going; and provided us logistical support even before we felt the need. Locally, the SUCN Alumni Association also extended significant help in the recruitment of members and shared even of its leadership with its current President, Ms. Felicidad M. Gonzalez who accepted the challenge to be the HS’s first President-elect. 

 

In August 21, 2013, after a series of email exchanges, phone conferences, finally we held our very first face-to-face meeting and created the steering committee headed by Dr. Luth Tenorio as Chair. The Steering Committee had all the plans in place leading to the establishment of the Silliman University College of Nursing Honor Society and on to its first Induction Ceremony in August 26, 2013 with its first 101 inductees. The HS has the full support of the SU Administration with Dr. Ben S. Malayang III, the University President and Dr. Betsy Joy B. Tan, the Vice both President for Academic Affairs, who share the ideals espoused by STTI and the Honor Society.