In July 2016, Sigma Delta Pi formalized a new partnership with the Gabriela Mistral Foundation, which will provide all future winners of the Gabriela Mistral Award a copy of the Foundation’s book From Chile to the World–70 Years of Gabriela Mistral’s Nobel Prize.
Category: Members
Recipient of 2016 Minaya Álvar-Fáñez Award
Professor Angela Bailey de las Heras, Faculty Adviser of the Eta Upsilon Chapter of Sigma Delta Pi at Illinois State University, has been named the 2016 recipient of the Minaya Álvar-Fáñez Award for exemplary initiative in encouraging and assisting
with chapter activities.
Lidia I. Martínez, Recipient of 6th Annual Mario Vargas Llosa Award
Lidia I. Martínez of Sigma Delta Pi’s Chi Gamma Chapter at Stockton University (Galloway, NJ), was selected as the 2016 recipient of the Mario Vargas Llosa Award, a joint recognition of the National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society and the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (AATSP). A Spanish major with a minor in Latin American and Caribbean Studies at Stockton University, Lidia distinguished herself not only through academic excellence as an undergraduate, but also through her impressive activities beyond the classroom that included a lead acting role in Spanish in a play at the Dante Hall Theatre in Atlantic City, and a Community Engagement Student Fellow with countless hours of service to the local Hispanic community, among other activities. A leader of Stockton’s local chapter of Sigma Delta Pi and a member of the Caribbean Students Association, she has also facilitated the organization of student field-trips to New York City as well as various events for Hispanic Heritage Month. Lidia will be formally recognized during the 98th Annual Conference (July 8-11) of the AATSP in Miami, Florida during the conference’s awards banquet on Sunday, July 10, 2016 from 6:00-8:30pm.
In its 6th year, the Mario Vargas Llosa Award is granted annually to one undergraduate Spanish major or minor who is a member of Sigma Delta Pi and who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in all upper-division courses completed and exemplary involvement in extra-curricular activities as related to Spanish.
Honorary President Susan Carvalho Named Dean of Graduate School at U of Alabama
Dr. Susan Carvalho, Honorary President of Sigma Delta Pi and Associate Provost for Internationalization and Interim Associate Provost and Dean of the Graduate School at the University of Kentucky, has been named Associate Provost and Dean of the Graduate School at The University of Alabama. Click here for the University of Alabama’s official announcement.
Inaugural Board of Student Advisers Appointed
The Executive Committee (EC) of the National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society is proud to announce the appointment of its inaugural Board of Student Advisers (BSA):
Amanda Hudinsky, University of Minnesota-Morris
Monica Mancilla, University of New Mexico
Cora Spillman, Assumption College
Chase Tiffany, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Consuelo Torres, Austin Peay State University
Serving a 2-year term that begins on May 15, 2016, the members of Sigma Delta Pi’s BSA will offer feedback to the EC on select issues related to the National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society. Such consultations between the EC and the BSA may include, but are not limited to:
- Identifying strategic initiatives to bolster membership.
- Providing a student perspective on proposed initiatives of the Executive Committee.
- Identifying areas of potential improvement with Sigma Delta Pi’s various programs.
- Discussing select issues and concerns at both the national (EC) and local (chapter) levels.
Congratulations to our inaugural appointees!
Sigma Delta Pi Loses a Member of the Orden de Don Quijote
Sigma Delta Pi mourns the loss of Dr. Maria Dominicis, a distinguished Hispanist who left this earth on February 8, 2016.
Dr. Dominicis was inducted into Sigma Delta Pi’s prestigious Orden de Don Quijote on April 18, 2000, and she was a former Chair of the Department of Languages and Literature at St. John’s University, as well as the Director of the Language Lab. The author of many textbooks, adopted by countless universities, including St. John’s, Professor Dominicis was beloved by her students for her knowledge and her wit.
The viewing will take place on Wednesday, February 9th, from 2-5:00pm and 7-9:00pm at Frederick Funeral Home, 192-15 Northern Boulevard, Flushing, NY (718) 357-6100.
A Funeral Mass will be offered at St. Nicholas of Tolentine, 150-75 Goethals Avenue, Jamaica, NY, (718) 969-3226, at 10:30am on Thursday, February 10. The mass will be followed by the burial at Mount Saint Mary Cemetery, Booth Memorial Booth Avenue, Flushing, NY.
Dr. Maria Dominicis is survived by her son Victor Dominicis and her sister Lupe Cantelli and family.
El Premio Gabriela Mistral
Any/every active chapter may nominate one (1) outstanding student per year for El Premio Gabriela Mistral. The awardee, who may be either a graduate or undergraduate student, must be an active member of Sigma Delta Pi, as defined in Article XV of the National By-laws. Nominations, together with supporting documentation, including several letters of recommendation and a current transcript, should be e-mailed to the Executive Director. Winners will be given a handsome certificate (only one awardee per chapter per year permitted). Nominations accepted year round.
Spring 2016 Deadlines!
Mark your calendars!
Spring 2016 deadlines
February 1, 2016
Applications for Graduate Research Grants. Application form and related details at http://www.sigmadeltapi.org/SAR.Research.grants.html
Applications for Undergraduate Study Abroad Awards. Application form and related details at http://www.sigmadeltapi.org/SAR.Undergraduate.Study.Abroad.Awards.html
April 1, 2016
Submissions for 5th Annual Facebook Photo Contest. Details at https://sdpnational.wordpress.com/2015/12/09/sigma-delta-pis-5th-annual-facebook-photo-contest/
May 1, 2016
Nominations for José Martel Award for Outstanding Chapter Adviser. Details at https://sdpnational.wordpress.com/2015/09/10/call-for-nominations-sigma-delta-pis-jose-martel-award/
Nominations for Mario Vargas Llosa Award for outstanding undergraduate student member. Nomination form and related details at
http://www.sigmadeltapi.org/SAR.Premio.Mario.Vargas.Llosa.html
Nominations for Ana María Matute Award for outstanding graduate student member. Nomination form and related details at http://www.sigmadeltapi.org/SAR.Premio.Ana.Maria.Matute.html
Applications for Chapter Project Grants. Application form and related details at http://www.sigmadeltapi.org/SAR.Chapter.project.grants.html
May 30, 2016
Submissions for Annual Graduation Cap Photo Competition. Details at https://sdpnational.wordpress.com/2015/12/14/sigma-delta-pis-annual-graduation-cap-photo-competition/
NO DEADLINES:
Nominations for the Orden de los Descubridores. Details at http://www.sigmadeltapi.org/SAR.La.Orden.de.los.Descubridores.html
Nominations for the Orden de Don Quijote. Details at http://www.sigmadeltapi.org/SAR.La.Orden.de.Don.Quijote.html
Orders for membership pins and certificates. Downloadable order form at http://www.sigmadeltapi.org/CR.Forms.html
Sigma Delta Pi merchandise:
For the medallion and repostero, see http://www.sigmadeltapi.org/CR.Chapter.Resources.html
For other paraphenalia, to include ceremony kits, apparel, honor cords and stoles: http://honorgrads.com/categories.php?category=Sigma-Delta-Pi
For regular announcements and news, also visit and follow:
National Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/sigmadeltapi
Sigma Delta Pi’s 5th Annual Facebook Photo Contest
Sigma Delta Pi is pleased to announce its 5th Annual Facebook Photo Contest for the 2015-16 academic year.
Rules for submissions:
1) Photos must be posted at www.facebook.com/sigmadeltapi by April 1, 2016. Photos submitted any other way will NOT be considered.
2) Facebook photo caption line must include “2016 SDP Photo Comp” and name of chapter. Eg: “2016 SDP Photo Comp, Pi Theta”
3) Eligible entries must show name of “Sigma Delta Pi” and the Society’s logo within the picture.
4) Competitive entries will reflect mission of Sigma Delta Pi in creative, original, entertaining and coherent ways.
5) Person who posts/submits the photo must be a member (not alumni members) of an active chapter of Sigma Delta Pi; chapter Facebook group pages may also submit the photo.
6) Maximum of two photo entries per chapter.
Winning entry along with 2nd and 3rd place distinctions will be announced in May 2016.
Sigma Delta Pi National Events in April and July 2016: Plan to Attend Now!
Sigma Delta Pi chapter delegates (advisers, student officers and members), Executive Council Members and Honorary Presidents are cordially invited to join us for the following national events in 2016:
- Sigma Delta Pi’s 14th annual Informative Session at the 69thKentucky Foreign Language Conference (April 14-16, 2016). The Informative Session will take place Friday afternoon, April 15 (time and location TBA) at the University of Kentucky. Later that evening (April 15) at 6:30pm, Sigma Delta Pi will host a reception for our attendees and special guests in the Mason-Headley room at the Campbell House (1375 S. Broadway Rd.) in Lexington, KY. Deadline for abstract submissions to the Kentucky Foreign Language Conference is November 16, 2015. Deadline for early conference registration (required of all attendees, even if you are not presenting): TBA.
- Sigma Delta Pi will host its Triennial Convention at the AATSP’s Annual Conference in Miami, Florida (July 8-11, 2016) at the Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay Hotel, followed by a reception for all our guests. In addition, Sigma Delta Pi will host another “Informative Session” (similar to the Kentucky venue) and a “Student Best Practices” session to highlight the impressive chapter activities of our student members. Deadline for submission proposals for the AATSP Conference is November 15, 2015. Deadline for early conference registration (required of all attendees, even if you are not presenting): TBA.
Our National President, Dr. Lucy F. Lee of Truman State University, and I look forward to seeing you!
A special thanks to Vista Higher Learning for sponsoring Sigma Delta Pi’s receptions.
Unfortunately, funding for attendance to these events is not available through Sigma Delta Pi, but please consult with your local institution (home academic department, department chair, dean) for possible travel support.