The Citadel’s Chapter of Sigma Delta Pi Earns National Awards
July 20, 2010
CHARLESTON, SC – July 20,2010 – For the 18th time, The Citadel’s Tau Iota Chapter of Sigma Delta Pi has been selected from 575 college Spanish honor societies as “Honor Chapter” for outstanding activities during the academic year.
The Citadel ties Marquette University for the longest consecutive string of 18 years and for most Honor Chapter awards. The honor was announced July 12, 2010, at the National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society’s Triennial Convention in Guadalajara, Mexico.
“This recognition is based upon the caliber of chapter projects that reflect the Sigma Delta Pi mission of honoring excellence in the study of the Spanish language, contributing to cultural understanding and upholding the goals of the society,” said Mark Del Mastro, professor and chairman of Hispanic Studies at the College of Charleston and the national executive secretary/treasurer to college chapters. Del Mastro was most recently head of The Citadel’s Modern Languages Department.
During the convention, The Citadel chapter also received the prestigious Octavio Paz Award, which is granted to only six chapters nationwide for maintaining “Honor Chapter” status for the complete triennium of 2007-2010. This was The Citadel’s third consecutive Octavio Paz Award. Sara Fernández Medina, Tau Iota Chapter Adviser and assistant professor of Spanish at The Citadel was instrumental in earning the top awards, Del Mastro said.
Each May, the 575 chapters of Sigma Delta Pi submit an annual report detailing numerous activities and projects from the academic year. Based on these reports, the National Executive Committee chooses approximately 10 to 15 Honor Chapters annually. This recognition is based upon the caliber of chapter projects that reflect the Sigma Delta Pi mission of honoring excellence in the study of the Spanish language, contributing to cultural understanding and upholding the goals of the society.
