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Sigma Tau Delta

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What is it?

Sigma Tau Delta is a national honor society that was founded in 1924 at Dakota Wesleyan University. The society recognizes superior achievement in English, language, and literature. It also recognizes the accomplishments of professional writers who have contributed to language and literature. Sigma Tau Delta has over 600 active chapters and inducts roughly 7,000 members annually.

What are the benefits?

Its members have the opportunity to be recognized for their exceptional achievements, enrich their knowledge through education and advance their professions. Sigma Tau Delta offers several $2,000-$2,500 scholarships for juniors, seniors and graduate student members. There are many internship opportunities that include Regnery Publishing, Inc., Washington, D.C., a nonfiction publisher, and Gannett Company, Inc., publisher of USA Today and more than 80 other daily newspapers. Teaching awards of $1,000 are distributed to a number of beginning English teachers on the elementary, middle and secondary levels. Members are provided the opportunity to have creative and critical works published in Sigma Tau Delta's international journal, The Rectangle. 

What are the requirements?

To become a member you must have achieved at least sophomore standing; have completed nine hours of English courses; have a 3.0 GPA overall and be in the top 35% of your class; and have 3.2 GPA in English courses.

When is induction?

Students who meet the requirements are invited to join Sigma Tau Delta in the spring of each year and a small induction ceremony is held in April to accept new members. Each fall, the chapter hosts an English and Communication Studies Department-only gathering to invite students to the major and inform them about Sigma Tau Delta and other opportunities within the department.

Recent accomplishments and events:

Members of the group have the opportunity to attend the annual Sigma Tau Delta International Convention each year. Last year, the Convention was held in New Orleans. Two students and Sigma Tau members, Maggie Christ '12 and Meagan Breuning '13, were both accepted to read their essays as part of a small panel for conference attendees. They attended the entire 3-day event and presented their own original critical essays at the convention. This provided great presenting experience as well as networking opportunities as the event is highly attended by students from all over the country, both undergraduate and graduate students as well as professional writers who do workshops and presentations of their own work.