Pi Zeta
University of Northern Colorado
Miembros de Pi Zeta en una Ceremonia de Iniciación
The Pi Zeta Chapter of Sigma Delta Pi at the University of Northern Colorado dates back to the spring of 1985 with the induction of the first five members by former chapter adviser and founder Dr. Ester Gimbernat González. Since that time, Pi Zeta members have actively sought to expand Hispanic scholarship and culture through sponsoring events intended to contribute to the attainment of the goals and ideals of the society. Though many student members have come and gone over the past 24 years, the Pi Zeta Chapter has remained strong and continues its steadfast commitment to honor those who attain excellence in the study of the Spanish language and in the study of the literature and culture of the Spanish-speaking people.
Although the Pi Zeta Chapter has never achieved the membership numbers equivalent to larger universities, it has used the smaller university setting of the University of Northern Colorado to promote an intimate connection between the chapter and the students and faculty of Hispanic Studies. On average, the chapter has inducted 14 members each year which generally offsets the number of chapter graduates. Each semester, members generously donate their time and effort to help promote the Society’s ideals through a variety of club sponsored programs intended to engage the university community. They also participate in events organized by the university Student Senate as well the campus’s César Chávez Cultural Center.
In January 2006, Dr. Efraín Garza gently accepted to serve as Sigma Delta Pi advisor for Pi Zeta Chapter. Since then, there have been several events that Pi Zeta hosts every year that have become an integral part of the chapter’s mission. The Tarde poética hosted every spring highlights the poetic talents of Hispanic Studies students, giving them an opportunity to share personal work with the university community. Often, acclaimed professors from neighboring universities participate by sharing their own work and by helping judge the annual poetry contest. Another event which has greatly engaged the university is the chapter’s Baile latino. Every semester, university students gather to learn how to dance to various Latin music rhythms and learn appreciation for the musical diversity of Hispanic world. The event has been a marked success in that it allows students an informal medium by which they can acquire a greater interest in and a deeper understanding of the Hispanic culture.
In the past two years, Pi Zeta has had the unique opportunity to work with Central American elementary school teachers studying at the University of Northern Colorado through the Cooperative Association of States for Scholarship (CASS) program. Pi Zeta has organized events specifically tailored to allow these teachers to share their own countries and their rich cultural backgrounds. Events often include a brief account of their educational systems, touristic and geographical remarks, and artistic presentations (singing, dancing, and reading creative work). Besides the educational role, these events are full of character since the participants wear distinct dresses and dance to folkloric music. These presentations are a big hit not only with UNC professors and students, but also with the community in general. Most importantly, these events help to foster friendly relationships and mutual respect between Spanish and English speakers, an important goal of Sigma Delta Pi.
Pi Zeta has also had the opportunity to host Hispanic writers to speak about their work in recent years. These events are specifically designed by the chapter to honor those who have made important Hispanic literary contributions which are well known in the English-speaking world. In 2007, the chapter hosted the Argentinean writer Luisa Futoransky, currently living in Paris, who spoke about her most representative literary production. In 2008, members welcomed Puerto Rican author Martha Aponte Alsina who discussed creative writing and shared parts of her most acclaimed short stories. In this past year, Dr. Joy Landeira from UNC graciously shared her recent compilation highlighting the work of Spanish poet Ernestina de Champourcin.
In the past four years, Pi Zeta has earned several awards from the Sigma Delta Pi National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society. Besides being considered a “Capítulo de Honor y Mérito” two times, our chapter was recognized as the most outstanding chapter during the 2007-2008 academic year. In addition, Dr. Efraín Garza has been acknowledged as the most outstanding advisor in the periods 2006-2007, and 2008-2009.
At the present time, the Pi Zeta officers Rich Becker, President, Devin Grammon, Vice-President, and Larissa Romero-Perry, Secretary-Treasurer, lead a greatly motivated team. These officers, along with the other active members, continue to work towards the attainment of the goals and ideals of the National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society.