USCB celebrates inaugural induction for International English Honor Society

Newly inducted ƩTΔ member, Alyse Bingham, accompanied by her mother, father, and sister

November 8, 2011

Bluffton, SC – On October 27^th University of South Carolina Beaufort celebrated the inaugural induction of twenty English majors into Sigma Tau Delta (ƩTΔ), the International English Honor Society.  The local chapter, Alpha Sigma Sigma (ΑΣΣ) is sponsored by Assistant Professor, Dr. Lauren Hoffer.

As an honor society, ƩTΔ has strict qualifications for membership.  The students who were inducted each have a 3.0 GPA or higher, completed 3 semesters of college coursework and rank in the top 35% of their class.

Hoffer has been employed with USCB for just over a year.  She started at USCB as a Visiting Assistant Professor and was hired as a permanent faculty member in the spring semester of 2011.  Her first goal at USCB was to establish ƩTΔ. 

Hoffer stated “I had such wonderful personal and professional experiences as a member of Sigma Tau Delta during my own undergraduate career that I was very eager to make the same opportunities available to students here at USCB.  Members of ƩTΔ are able to participate in the promotion of literary interests at the campus, community, and international levels and also have many outlets to present their own work and gain professional experience.  I couldn’t be more pleased with the amazing group of founding members we’ve just inducted.”

USCB English Department Faculty and newly inducted ƩTΔ member, Kate Brown

The Induction Ceremony for ƩTΔ was facilitated by Hoffer, English Department Chair Carl Eby, Assistant Professor of English Robert Kilgore and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Harvey Varnet. 

After the ceremony, ƩTΔ members held their first election.  ƩTΔ’s founding officers are as follows:  President Ashley Williams, Vice-President Mercedes McClam, Secretary Patti Robinson, Treasurer Dave Helmer, Historian Samantha Phillips, and Public Relations Officer Stefny Ankney.

"I'm both excited and honored to be USCB's first ƩTΔ President. Literacy is something that too often people take for granted, and I'm happy to be a part of something where we get to share our joy of reading with the community, and to remind people how lucky we are to have the ability” Williams said.  “Our group is wonderful; I know we will set the bar high for future members."

One of the goals for ƩTΔ, both internationally and locally, is to promote literacy.  “The USCB chapter of ƩTΔ will become active community members by promoting literacy in the area,” stated Robinson.  “We have several ideas that we are currently working on, and plan to put them in motion as soon as possible.”

 Drafted by:  Stefny Ankney, USCB Social Media Intern and ƩTΔ Public Relations Officer

 About Sigma Tau Delta

Sigma Tau Delta is the International English Honor Society. A member of the Association of College Honor Societies, it was founded in 1924 at Dakota Wesleyan University.  With nearly 800 active chapters located in the United States, Europe, and the Caribbean, there are more than 1,000 Faculty Sponsors, and approximately 8,500 members inducted annually.  Sigma Tau Delta is by far the largest—and most active—honors organization in the field.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Candace Brasseur
USCB Public Information Director
843-208-8030
brasse@uscb.edu