Sigma Kappa Delta () is an American

collegiate Collegiate may refer to: * College * Webster's Dictionary, a dictionary with editions referred to as a "Collegiate" * ''Collegiate'' (1926 film), 1926 American silent film directed by Del Andrews * ''Collegiate'' (1936 film), 1936 American musi ...

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for students of

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Culture, language and peoples * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England * ''English'', an Amish ter ...

at two-year colleges. It was established in 1996 in Chicago, Illinois. The society sponsors the National English Honor Society, a program for high school students of English.

History

William Johnson, executive director of the collegiate English honor society

Sigma Tau Delta Sigma Tau Delta () is a US-based, international honor society for students of English at four-year colleges and universities who are within the top 30% of their class and have a 3.5 GPA or higher. It presently has over 770 chapters in the Unite ...

and a professor of English at

Northern Illinois University Northern Illinois University (NIU) is a public research university in DeKalb, Illinois, United States. It was founded as "Northern Illinois State Normal School" in 1895 by Illinois Governor John P. Altgeld, initially to provide the state with c ...

, convened a meeting of community college professors in

Chicago Chicago is the List of municipalities in Illinois, most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. With a population of 2,746,388, as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the List of Unite ...

on April 21, 1996, to discuss creating an English honor society for students of two-year colleges. The result was Sigma Kappa Delta. Its first president was Susan LeJeune, an associate professor of English at

Louisiana State University at Eunice Louisiana State University Eunice (LSU Eunice or LSUE) is a public junior college in Eunice, Louisiana, United States. It is the only junior college associated with the Louisiana State University System. It enrolls over 4,000 full and part-time ...

. Sigma Kappa Delta encourages an interest in and recognizes academic excellence in English language and literature in undergraduate students at two-year colleges. The society also honors professional writers who have made contributions to the fields of language and literature. It supports literacy and creative and technical writing. The first chapter was established at

. On April 20, 2008, a Sigma Kappa Delta chapter erected a monument at the burial site of 19th-century humorist

George Washington Harris George Washington Harris (March 20, 1814 – December 11, 1869) was an American humorist best known for his character "Sut Lovingood," an Appalachian backwoods reveler fond of telling tall tales. Harris was among the seminal writers of South ...

. In 2014, the society had 118 chapters and a total of 23,093 initiates. As of 2024, Sigma Kappa Delta has chartered more than 140 chapters in the

United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...

. Its national headquarters are located at

Calhoun Community College Calhoun Community College is a public community college in Decatur, Alabama. It is the largest of the 24 two-year institutions that make up the Alabama Community College System. History The college was founded in 1946 and named after John C. ...

Decatur, Alabama Decatur () is the largest city and county seat of Morgan County, Alabama, Morgan County (with a portion also in Limestone County, Alabama, Limestone County) in the U.S. state of Alabama. Nicknamed "The River City," it is located in North Alabam ...

Symbols

The Greek letters Sigma Kappa Delta were selected to represent sincerity, knowledge, and design. The society's motto is "Sincerity, Knowledge, Design". Sigma Kappa Delta adopted its seal and key in 1996. The society's colors are green and gold. Graduating members may wear green and gold

honor cords An honor cord is a token consisting of twisted cords with tassels on either end awarded to members of honor societies or for various academic and non-academic achievements, awards, or honors. Usually, cords come in pairs with a knot in the mid ...

. Its plant is the English ivy. Its publication has the scientific name for English ivy, ''Hedera helix.''

Activities

Sigma Kappa Delta publishes an annual literary journal, ''Hedera helix''. Chapters sponsor various literacy activities, such as hosting a writing workshop, offering continuing education credits for teachers, or collecting supplies for elementary school students. Sigma Kappa Delta sponsors the National English Honor Society, a program for high school students of English. The organization partners with

to plan and promote an annual convention where members can present and attend educational sessions. It also presents scholarships and awards to its members.

Membership

Sigma Kappa Delta inducts some 2,500 members annually. Eligible members have completed one academic semester and at least one course in English language or literature, with at least a 3.0 GPA in English and overall.

Chapters

Following are the chapters of Sigma Kappa Delta, with active chapters indicated in bold and inactive chapters in ''italics''.

References

External links

Sigma Kappa Delta homepageNational English Honor Society (high school)
{{authority control Two-year college honor societies Student organizations established in 1996 1996 establishments in Illinois Sigma Tau Delta