Sigma Delta Pi Receives National Award For Third Year
JONESBORO – For the third consecutive year, Arkansas State University’s Pi Theta chapter of Sigma Delta Pi, the National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society, has been selected as an honor chapter because of its outstanding activities in 2016-17. The honor chapter distinction was bestowed to only 12 chapters nationwide in 2017.
“In these last three years, we have been awarded eight national awards,” said Claudio Eduardo, instructor in Spanish and Sigma Delta Pi adviser. “It has been an incredible journey that shows the passion our students have for Hispanic culture, its literature, food, music, people or language, among others.”
Each summer, more than 600 chapters of Sigma Delta Pi across the U.S. are asked to submit an annual report detailing their numerous activities and projects from the academic year. Based upon these reports, the National Executive Committee chooses approximately 10-15 awardees annually.
Chapter recognitions are based upon the caliber of chapter projects that reflect the Sigma Delta Pi mission of honoring excellence in the study of the Spanish language, contributing to cultural understanding and upholding the goals of the society.
In 2014-15, Eduardo reactivated the A-State chapter after a 27-year hiatus. The organization has students with majors and minors in Spanish and who have a passion for other languages and cultures.
Eduardo, originally from Arequipa, Peru, was named as a co-recipient of the Minaya Álvar Fáñez Award in January 2015 as the society’s chapter adviser of the year. This award recognizes a chapter adviser for exemplary initiative in encouraging and assisting with chapter activities.
“Arkansas State University provides many curricular and co-curricular opportunities for our students to learn a second language,” he continued. “Sigma Delta Pi is the perfect complement of learning more about the Hispanic culture, being involved with the community and improving your Spanish."
With its national office at the College of Charleston in South Carolina, Sigma Delta Pi is a member of the Association of College Honor Societies, the nation’s only certifying agency for college and university honor societies.
