News

Transformative Spanish Language Program Award

With their shared missions of fostering bilingualism and promoting an understanding of, and appreciation and respect for the cultures of the Spanish-speaking world, Sigma Delta Pi and the Academia Norteamericana de la Lengua Española (ANLE) are pleased to announce their “Transformative Spanish Language Program Award” that each year may recognize a U.S. university or college (2 or 4 year) whose Spanish language program has demonstrated:

• Curriculum/program Innovation
• Steady and recent growth in enrollment over a sustained period of time
• Successful preparation of its graduates for today’s workforce
• Interdisciplinary collaboration

Only colleges/universities with an active chapter of Sigma Delta Pi or SHLE are eligible for this award.  Nominations must originate from the active chapter of Sigma Delta Pi or SHLE and on behalf of the department that houses the “Transformative Spanish Language Program” in question. The inaugural award will be presented during Sigma Delta Pi’s reception at the annual AATSP meeting in summer 2027 in Lisbon, Portugal.

For additional details, to include the online nomination form, please visit:
https://sigmadeltapi.org/transformative-spanish-language-program-award/

Did you miss Sigma Delta Pi’s numerous events at the
 108^th AATSP Annual Conference?

Lawrence Wilkins Founder’s Award

During the AATSP’s annual awards ceremony, Sigma Delta Pi received the association’s highest honor: the Lawrence Wilkins Founder’s Award that recognizes “individuals or entities that have a long history of collaboration with the AATSP and have played an important role in supporting the Association and its mission.”

AATSP President Dr. Scott Alvord (right of podium), presents Sigma Delta Pi
the Lawrence Wilkins Founder’s Award.

On Wednesday, July 8, Sigma Delta Pi and the AATSP co-hosted their 4^th annual Poetry Recital

From left to right: Sigma Delta Pi’s Mark P. Del Mastro with poets Alex Lima Murillo,
Mónica Sarmiento-Archer, Georgie Medina Marcano and Juan Carlos Galdeano;
AATSP’s Ben Fraser co-directed the event.

Sigma Delta Pi’s annual reception, hosted by VHL

Newly inducted Sigma Delta Pi honorary members with national officers.

Guests of Sigma Delta Pi’s annual reception.

VHL’s Mary Albertson (right) with Sigma Delta Pi’s national officers.

Sigma Delta Pi’s 14^th annual “Student Opportunities, Leadership & Research” Session

Sigma Delta Pi’s national officers with presenters (center):
the University of Georgia’s Eliot Westdorp and
University of Texas Rio Grand Valley’s Jorge Manuel Salazar Gonzalez.

Sigma Delta Pi and the Academia Norteamericana de la Lengua Española (ANLE),
2nd Annual “Transformative Spanish Language Programs” Panel

Participants with session co-directors.

Sigma Delta Pi and AATSP present Caleb J. Datto of St. Joseph’s University the 16^th annual
Mario Vargas Llosa Award, co-sponsored by Vista Higher Learning

Plan NOW to join Sigma Delta Pi at the 2027 AATSP conference in Lisbon, Portugal (June 21-24, 2027), where we will celebrate the 10^th anniversary of the founding of SHLE, and we will co-present with the ANLE our inaugural “Transformative Spanish Language Program” Award (details forthcoming).

Sigma Delta Pi and the AATSP are proud to host their 4^th annual Poetry Recital on
Wednesday, July 8 from 5-6:00pm at the
 108^th AATSP Annual Conference, featuring:

Please join us for these outstanding poets at the AATSP conference next month!

Plan now to join Sigma Delta Pi in Orlando, FL this summer for our multiple annual events, including our members/guest-only reception hosted by

Vista Higher Learning

at the 108^th AATSP Annual Conference  on
July 8-11, 2026.

Wednesday, July 8:
5-6:00pm: 4^th Annual Sigma Delta Pi & AATSP Poetry Recital
6:15pm: Sigma Delta Pi’s Reception Sponsored by Vista Higher Learning

Thursday, July 9:
9-9:50am: Sigma Delta Pi, Student Opportunities, Leadership & Research

Friday, July 10:
9-10:50am:2^nd AnnualTransformative Spanish Language Programs: Preparing the Workforce for Tomorrow Co-sponsored by Sigma Delta Pi and the Academia Norteamericana de la Lengua Española

AATSP conference registration ends June 1, 2026.
For conference details including registration, lodging and program:

https://www.aatsp.org/page/2026Conference

Stay tuned for other upcoming events that are virtual and open to all Sigma Delta Pi members and guests.
See our national calendar for updated programming: https://sigmadeltapi.org/sigma-delta-pi-calendar/

Caleb J. Datto,
Winner of the 2026 Mario Vargas Llosa Award

Sigma Delta Pi, the National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society, and the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (AATSP) are pleased to announce that Caleb J. Datto of Saint Joseph’s University (Philadelphia, PA) is the recipient of the 16^th annual Mario Vargas Llosa Award, granted yearly to one undergraduate Spanish major or minor who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in all upper-division courses completed and exemplary involvement in extra-curricular activities as related to Spanish. Mr. Datto will be recognized formally at the 108^th Annual Conference in Orlando, FL, during the AATSP’s Awards Ceremony on July 10. Support for his attendance is made possible by the AATSP, Vista Higher Learning and the AATSP. Congratulations to Caleb for this exceptional honor.