Sigma Tau Delta

Sigma Tau Delta, a national English honor society, aims to promote a mastery of written expression, to encourage worthwhile reading, and to foster a spirit of fellowship among its members. Eligible for membership are students that: (1) are a major in English, English or Language Arts/Education, English/New College, or a minor in English or Creative Writing; (2) have completed at least 12 hours of English courses, including at least 6 hours of literature; (3) have at least a 3.33 GPA in English courses and at least a 3.0 GPA overall.

Alabama’s Phi Xi Chapter of Sigma Tau Delta is among the most prestigious in the nation. From almost 600 chapters nationally, this chapter was selected for Sigma Tau Delta’s “Outstanding Chapter Award” in 1988 and for a “Very Honorable Mention” in the 1996 Outstanding Chapter Award Competition. UA’s CCSO named Phi Xi the “Outstanding Honorary” on campus in 1995. At the 2009 National Convention, Phi Xi was awarded first place in the Fiction category; in 2010, Phi Xi was awarded first place in the Fiction category and second place in the Poetry category.

Among activities planned for 2011-2012 are promoting, designing, assembling, and publishing the second issue of DewPoint, a literary magazine that showcases the best creative prose, poetry and critical essays being written in the English Department; sending a delegation of members who have submitted critical papers and creative works to the 2012 National English Honor Convention in New Orleans, LA; pursuing social outreach opportunities, such as book drives; attending local readings, such as the Bankhead Writers Series, the MFA Reading Series, and the Undergraduate Creative Writers Reading Series; holding bake sales and other fundraising events;  hosting fall and spring induction ceremonies and receptions with faculty members; nominating members for Sigma Tau Delta scholarships and awards; and any other activities current members decide are worthy of pursuit.

The current faculty sponsors for Sigma Tau Delta are Carl Miller (cfmiller1@bama.ua.edu) and Deborah Weiss (dweiss@ua.edu).