On May 15, 1996, Dr. Kathryn Schweer, Dean of Academic Affairs at Allen College, convened a small group of people interested in establishing a chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International at Allen College. The guidelines for establishing a chapter were reviewed, and the group enthusiastically decided to become a Steering Committee for the Allen College Nursing Honor Society (ACNHS).
Allen College Nursing Honor Society held four induction ceremonies, inducting a total of one hundred thirty-five persons composed of the student body, alumni, community leaders and faculty members.
The Allen College Nursing Honor Society completed the work necessary for submission of charter application in September 1998. This was followed by an evaluation visit by Dr. Ruth Marcott from Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing in April 1999. Following Dr. Marcott's visit and recommendation, Allen College Nursing Honor Society was approved by Sigma Theta Tau International Board of Directors for presentation of our petition for charter to the House of Delegates.
The petition for charter was approved by the House of Delegates at the Sigma Theta Tau International Biennial Convention November 6-10, 1999. Presenting the petition was Mary Thoms, President, and Mary Brown, President-Elect. Allen College's honor society conducted a chartering ceremony on March 27, 2000. The honor society was officially chartered as Pi Kappa #392 Chapter, Sigma Theta Tau International on March 27, 2000.