Apr 14 - May 8, (ET)
Call for Beta Kappa Awards nominations.
On behalf of the Officers, Standing Committee Chairs, and members, we are pleased to announce the Spring 2026 call for Award nominations. Each Award has a specific purpose, eligibility and selection criteria, and submission requirements. Applications and nominations for all awards this Spring will be due April 24, 2026. Please email Malinda Whitlow mlw7b@virginia.edu with any questions.
Complete eligibility criteria, descriptions, and forms can be found on the Beta Kappa website .
Awards this Spring include:
Community Service Award
This award recognizes community leaders who have influenced healthcare in the social, political, economic, or institutional arena. Criteria include endorsement and support from nursing, other health professionals, and community leaders; local, statewide, or national contributions as an advocate of nursing and healthcare; and contributions that significantly enhance the level of health or healthcare of the community.
Nan Hilt Award
This award was established in the name of Nancy Hilt, a nursing leader and a strong supporter of creative and innovative nursing practice. The purpose of the award is to recognize outstanding contributions of young professional nurses among the members of Beta Kappa Chapter. Should demonstrate a broad range of advanced skills in nursing, which lead to excellence in the care of patients, develop innovative solutions to nursing problems, and serve as an effective mentor and role model to other nurses. Also, influence policies and procedures that increase the quality of nursing care, uphold the highest ethical standards & contribute to professional and/or community organizations
Research Dissemination Award
The purpose of this award is to help members pay for travel expenses to conferences when presenting research findings. The award will be given twice annually in the amount of $500 each time. The member’s name, title of abstract, and conference will be published in the Beta Kappa newsletter.
Presidents Scholarship
The Beta Kappa Presidents Scholarship recognizes outstanding academic achievement by student members of Beta Kappa Chapter in good standing who are matriculating at an accredited university nursing program. This scholarship award from the local chapter supports Sigma’s global mission to foster excellence, scholarship, and leadership in nursing to improve healthcare. The fund provides $1000. academic merit scholarships to individuals to use for tuition and/or fees incurred through their studies.
Nancy Ballard Award
Nancy Ballard, a charter member of our chapter, was a strong supporter of scholarship. This award was established in her name to provide assistance towards scholarly pursuits by student members of the Beta Kappa Chapter. A $1,000 scholarship is given biennially in the spring.
Verhonick Research Award
Phyllis J. Verhonick believed in the fundamental importance of clinical research in the practice of nursing. She was also committed to supporting the efforts of beginning nurse researchers. A Beta Kappa Chapter research fund was established in 1979 in Dr. Verhonick’s honor. This award provides a $1,000 grant to a nurse researcher to investigate clinical nursing problems. Recipients must be Beta Kappa members who propose a clinical nursing research study.