Sigma Tau Delta offers a variety of awards for both individuals as well as chapters, and now also offers new summer program opportunities that allow both current student members as well as alumni and faculty to participate in study abroad programs.
Individual Awards
Sigma Tau Delta has many awards for qualified student members and Faculty Advisors. These awards are given annually in the areas of writing, performance, and service.
Rectangle and Review Writing Awards
Awards are given to Society members who have submitted the best original works in poetry, critical essay, short story, and personal/informal essay to the Sigma Tau Delta Rectangle or Sigma Tau Delta Review. The award categories are:
- E. Nelson James Poetry Award ($500)
- Eleanor B. North Poetry Award ($500)
- Frederic Fadner Critical Essay Award ($500)
- Herbert L. Hughes Short Story Award ($500)
- Elizabeth Holtze Best Personal or Informal Essay Award ($500)
Hispanic Heritage Month Writing Challenge
Sigma Tau Delta honors Hispanic Heritage Month with a dynamic Writing Challenge.
View: Hispanic Heritage Month Writing Challenge
Leadership and Service Awards
- Student Leadership Award ($250 and a plaque)
Introduced in 2008, the Student Leadership Award recognizes student members for demonstrating outstanding service to Sigma Tau Delta at the chapter level. - Delta Award (plaque)
An especially prestigious honor, Delta Award recipients are recognized for outstanding service at multiple levels of the Society.
Chapter Awards
Sigma Tau Delta has many awards for qualified chapters. These awards are given annually in the areas of writing, performance, and service.
- Elaine W. Hughes Outstanding Advisor Award ($500 and a plaque)
An Outstanding Chapter Advisor is recognized for giving generously of their time, talents, and creativity to a local chapter. - Outstanding Chapter Award (up to $500 and a plaque)
Outstanding Chapters are recognized for exhibiting outstanding motivation, creativity, and service during the previous academic year. - Outstanding Literary Arts Journal Award (up to $500)
Literary Arts Journals coordinated and supervised by Sigma Tau Delta chapters (even if they receive funding from other sources) are eligible for the Sigma Tau Delta Outstanding Literary Arts Journal Award. - Service Award (up to $500 to a designated organization and a plaque for the chapter)
Designed to honor chapters with exemplary community service projects, the Service Award also benefits the organization served by those chapters. - Book Club Service Award (up to $200)
Designed to support chapters that complete a service project based on a Book Club Kit, Book Club Service Awards can help chapters fund one project within the award period after their activity has been completed.
Summer Programs
Sigma Tau Delta now offers summer study abroad and continuing education programs for our active student, alumni, and Chapter Advisor members.
Sigma Tau Delta–Cambridge Undergraduate Summer Program
Spend a week immersed in the world of English literature at one of the most prestigious universities in the world. The Sigma Tau Delta–Cambridge Undergraduate Summer Program offers students an unforgettable chance to live, study, and explore at historic Girton College, at the University of Cambridge.
View: Sigma Tau Delta–Cambridge Undergraduate Summer Program
Girton Lifelong Learning Program
We are thrilled to continue an exciting partnership between Sigma Tau Delta and the University of Cambridge, UK, offering access to Lifelong Learning Summer Courses in the arts and humanities at the prestigious Girton College, Cambridge. These immersive courses are designed to enrich academic and professional growth while offering a unique opportunity to experience the inspiring environment of Cambridge.
View: Girton Lifelong Learning Program
How to Apply
Applications for Awards are accepted through AwardSpring. The link to access the Sigma Tau Delta AwardSpring platform will be posted on the AwardSpring Application informational page of our website during each active Awards Cycle.
If you are using AwardSpring for the first time, you must create an account by clicking “Register.” If you have used AwardSpring previously, you should login using your email address and existing password.
Deadlines
View the Opportunities Overview page for the Awards application windows.
Questions
Address questions to sigmatdapply@niu.edu
