“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”
― Helen Keller
Psi Delta, Texas Tech University’s chapter of Sigma Tau Delta, was a thriving organization but, during the pandemic, the chapter lost its members and was no longer an official organization. In fall 2023, Psi Delta began recruiting members and I, alongside other newly elected officers, worked to reinstate the chapter. Our chapter was starting from scratch and no one, including our Advisor, Dr. Deena Varner, had any experience in Sigma Tau Delta. Nonetheless, we brainstormed event ideas with members and held a Blind Date with a Book fundraiser to raise funds for our fledgling chapter. We also organized a poetry reading around the 2024 Common Reader. We publicly advertised the event so non-members could participate, helping raise awareness about our chapter. We were pleased to receive a Regents’ Common Reader Award for this event. One of the most successful events was monthly Open Mic Nights. Open to all students, they provided a space for people to share original work among fellow creative writers while gaining confidence and feedback. They were a great opportunity for non-members to learn about the chapter, leading to new members joining.
During the 2024-25 school year, our chapter, after having a somewhat slow start, really began to blossom with new members and a strong officer group. I had become president of Psi Delta and I knew it was time to use our love of everything English to give back to the community through a service project. As part of Sigma Tau Delta’s 100 for 100 Challenge in honor of its centennial anniversary, members collected over 100 books for Friends of the Lubbock Library. This project involved members in something worthwhile and spreading the word in the community about our goal led to membership growth. We also held a book club event, a banned book event, and a design-a-sticker contest. A highlight of the fall 2024 semester was when Psi Delta teamed up with UT Dallas’ Sigma Tau Delta chapter to co-sponsor the Sigma Tau Delta Southwestern Regional Conference, offering students the chance to present critical and creative writing in a supportive environment and learn how a conference works in preparation for Sigma Tau Delta’s annual convention. I loved having the chance to both chair a panel and present my work. Several members who participated were inspired to submit their work to the international convention. Psi Delta raised funds through a Double Good Popcorn fundraiser, as well as another Blind Date with a Book sale, to provide members attending convention with a small monetary token when they made the trip to Pittsburgh.
One of my favorite parts of being an officer in Psi Delta has been helping to bridge the gap between in-person and online members through virtual or hybrid events. I think one of the reasons our chapter has thrived is because in-person and distance students collaborate on projects and events, allowing for a diverse membership of dedicated students in and outside of Texas. Initially, officers primarily organized and hosted all events as our chapter was just getting started. We now encourage members to take an active role in helping with and hosting events, which is a great way for members to discover the tasks involved in being an officer, inspiring them to run for such a leadership role. Some recent events have included a creative and critical writing workshop, a spooky short story literary analysis, and a publishing workshop. Our next service project is going to be a poetry-on-demand/bookmark sale to raise funds for Literacy Lubbock. During chapter meetings, we brainstorm ideas for future events so everyone has a say in the types of events we organize. Additionally, our events are promoted through campus-wide announcements and we send event invites to other student organizations to raise awareness about our chapter and increase attendance beyond the membership at events.
Since being reinstated, Psi Delta has exhibited outstanding dedication in hosting events that foster a love for literature, language, writing, and literacy while organizing projects that serve the community. As an officer, I am diligent in checking the international organization’s website for opportunities to share with members. Our members have been successful in receiving: two Regents’ Common Reader Awards, the Southwestern Regent Scholarship, the Sigma Tau Delta Journal Internship, Penguin Random House Internship Priority Consideration (two members), W. W. Norton Priority Consideration, a scholarship for the Lifelong Learning Summer Program at Girton College, and the William C. Johnson Distinguished Scholarship. I am amazed how our organization has grown exponentially in a short span of time, hosting events and projects that benefit members and the community, earning accolades for our members, and taking part in regional and international opportunities. Our chapter went from nonexistent in 2023 to falling nothing short of outstanding in 2025 as we continue to find ways to improve and connect with students and the community in meaningful ways. Our chapter is honored to be a first-place winner of the Outstanding Chapter Award this year. I foresee Psi Delta continuing to do phenomenal things!
If your chapter is just getting started or restarted, I encourage you to use Psi Delta’s story of perseverance and collaboration among distance and in-person students as a guide to having a successful chapter. Best of luck, Sigma Tau Deltans!
Baylie Jett Mills
Outstanding Chapter Award Recipient, 2024-2025
Psi Delta Chapter
Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Outstanding Chapter Award
Sigma Tau Delta’s Outstanding Chapter Award is designed to recognize local chapters that have exhibited outstanding motivation, creativity, and service in the preceding year. Award recipients will receive a check for up to $500 and a plaque. Winning chapters may also receive up to $350 in travel assistance for sending at least one student representative to the annual convention and bringing a chapter exhibit.
Eligibility
Any active chapter is eligible to apply for an Outstanding Chapter Award, but no chapter may receive an Outstanding Chapter Award in consecutive years. Active chapters are also eligible to apply for a Service Award, a Book Club Service Award, and/or a Chapter Service Project Grant and may use relevant information assembled for the Outstanding Chapter Award application when applying for one of these opportunities. Specific application requirements are posted with each award description.
How to Apply
Applications for the Outstanding Chapter Award are accepted through the AwardSpring platform June 22 – July 13, 2026, 4 p.m. CT.
Sigma Tau Delta
Sigma Tau Delta, International English Honor Society, was founded in 1924 at Dakota Wesleyan University. The Society strives to
- Confer distinction for high achievement in English language and literature in undergraduate, graduate, and professional studies;
- Provide, through its local chapters, cultural stimulation on college campuses and promote interest in literature and the English language in surrounding communities;
- Foster all aspects of the discipline of English, including literature, language, and writing;
- Promote exemplary character and good fellowship among its members;
- Exhibit high standards of academic excellence; and
- Serve society by fostering literacy.
With over 900 active chapters located in the United States and abroad, there are more than 1,000 Faculty Advisors, and approximately 9,000 members inducted annually.
Sigma Tau Delta also recognizes the accomplishments of professional writers who have contributed to the fields of language and literature.
