What is Sigma Tau Delta?
Sigma Tau Delta is the International English Honor Society. A member
of the Association of College Honor Societies, it was founded in 1924
at Dakota Wesleyan University. The purposes of the Society are (a) to
confer distinction for high achievement in English language and literature
in undergraduate, graduate, and professional studies; (b) to promote
interest in literature and the English language on local campuses and
their surrounding communities; and (c) to foster the discipline of English
in all its aspects, including creative and critical writing.
There are over 470 chapters located in Canada, Europe, the Caribbean,
and the United States. Some 225,000 members have been initiated over
the years; among them have been such persons as Eudora Welty, James
Dickey, Laurence Perrine, Howard Nemerov, Robery Bly, Frank Herbert,
Walter J. Ong, Nikki Giovanni, and Stephen Spender. An international
convention is held annually.
Who is eligible to join?
There are two categories of membership: active and associate.
Active membership is available, in general, to students with a minimum
of a B or equivalent average in English, who rank at least in the highest
thirty-five percent of their class in general scholarship, and who have
completed at least three semesters or five quarters of college work.
(Local chapters may raise, but not lower, these criteria.)
What are the requirements for Sigma Tau Delta membership at Frostburg
State University?
Active Membership
- 3.0 in English
- 3.0 overall GPA
- 3 semesters at FSU (one full semester if a transfer)
- 6 credits of English that count toward the major
or minor beyond the general studies requirement
- one-time $37 membership fee
Associate membership is available to currently
enrolled students, undergraduate or graduate, who have the requisite
academic background but who are not majoring or minoring in English.
What are the advantages of membership in Sigma Tau Delta?
Membership in Sigma Tau Delta is an outward recognition of personal
accomplishment. It also serves as an incentive for continued high scholarship.
It provides opportunities for those interested in English language and
literature to join with like-minded persons on the local, regional,
national, and international levels. Members receive the society's Newsletter
while they remain active in their local chapters. They also receive
and have the opportunity to contribute to the award-winning literary
publication, The Rectangle, and are eligible to compete for a
number of prizes for excellent writing. Student members are also eligible
to compete for several $1,750-$2,000 scholarships and awards.
Reprinted by permission of Sigma Tau Delta
