FOUNDER’S HALL

Founder of Sigma Delta Pi who was an undergraduate junior at the University of California, Berkeley when on Friday evening, November 14, 1919, she convened six other students to the residence she shared with her widowed mother at 2545 Dwight Way to establish what would become the National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society. Ruth was Sigma Delta Pi’s first president at UC, Berkeley and before the Society became national.

One of the seven founding members of Sigma Delta Pi. At her family’s home at 1629 Walnut Street in Berkeley, CA, Miriam hosted what would represent the first official Sigma Delta Pi initiation ceremony on May 1, 1920. Today, May 1 is annually commemorated as “Día de Sigma Delta Pi.”

The sixth president of the University of California, Berkeley’s chapter (1925-26), and the first national president of Sigma Delta Pi (1931-37). Wright was responsible for saving the Society during its early years when local UC, Berkeley members–who were responsible for governance–had lost interest in the enterprise. Wright is also author of the 1925 and 1935 versions of the member initiation Ritual, which were the first published versions distributed nationally to chapters under the presidency of John T. Reid in 1941. Wright is also the author of the Society’s Greek motto, the national newsletter that was the precursor of today’s annual Entre Nosotros, the active and honorary membership categories, and he formalized various review processes for membership, admission of new chapters and the appointment of honorary presidents.

The first female vice-president of Sigma Delta Pi (1954-65)

Sigma Delta Pi honorary president, member of the Society’s Orden de Don Quijote, former vice-president with the 2nd longest time served at 24 years, co-author of various national Sigma Delta Pi publications. The triennial chapter adviser award is named in his honor.

Fourth vice-president for three terms (1950-59); the only national president to have served for two different periods: 1960-68 and 1972-77 (5 terms total); author of the first history of Sigma Delta Pi as published in 1994 for the 75th anniversary of Sigma Delta Pi. Hamilton is recognized for having saved the Society from financial ruin during the 1960s.

Truman State University’s former chapter adviser whose leadership resulted in 26 consecutive Honor Chapter distinctions, which to date continues to be a chapter record. Founder of the annual Graduate Research Symposium that highlights the work of graduate student members of Sigma Delta Pi who were awarded national research grants. The annual chapter adviser award is named in Dr. Lee’s honor.

Served 36 years as chapter adviser at Marquette and 14 years as national president; he is the 2nd longest-serving chapter adviser and National President in the history of Society.  The national service award is named in his honor.