Grace College English education and Spanish major Hannah Haber recently led the charge to establish a chapter of Sigma Tau Delta, an English honor society, at Grace. The new chapter will induct its first nine members on Saturday, April 29. The inductees will join Sigma Tau Delta’s 9,000 members from 900 chapters nationwide.
“I was excited when Hannah proposed starting a Sigma Tau Delta chapter at Grace,” said Dr. Lauren Rich, chair of the Department of Humanities and Sigma Tau Delta chapter advisor at Grace. “I was active in Sigma Tau Delta when I was an undergraduate student at Baylor University, so I was already familiar with the organization. A goal of our department is to cultivate intellectual community, and Sigma Tau Delta is a great avenue to achieve that.”
Haber, who will be a senior this fall, learned about Sigma Tau Delta during a conversation with a friend who is involved in a chapter at another university. She was immediately interested in bringing the honor society to Grace.
“I thought starting a chapter at Grace College would be beneficial to recognize hardworking students for their dedication and achievement in English language, literature and writing and to foster literary engagement with the local community,” said Haber.
Shortly after talking to her friend, Haber mentioned the idea to Rich, who enthusiastically agreed to serve as the chapter’s advisor. Rich encouraged Haber to take ownership of her idea by researching what it takes to start a chapter, handling initial communication with the national organization and recruiting students to sign the charter petition.
“I love when students take initiative and pursue things that matter to them,” said Rich. “It’s especially inspiring when students have a vision for contributing to Grace in lasting ways. This Sigma Tau Delta chapter will continue after Hannah graduates, and that means future students will have opportunities they wouldn’t have had otherwise.”
Now that the group is approved, Haber looks forward to holding monthly chapter meetings this fall. While membership in the chapter is limited to English and journalism majors and minors who meet the academic criteria, Haber has plans for the group to serve the campus and larger community by organizing events and service projects that promote interest in literature and the English language.
“Introducing Sigma Tau Delta to our campus is important because it allows for enthusiastic students to explore their interests, enrich their learning and engage with the community,” said Haber.
To learn more about Sigma Tau Delta, visit www.english.org/.
To learn more about the Department of Humanities at Grace, visit www.grace.edu/academics/undergraduate/academic-schools-departments/school-of-arts-and-sciences/department-of-humanities/.
