Sigma Tau Delta
The International English Honor Society
Alpha Nu Pi Chapter
Western Michigan University
Who We Are: Sigma Tau Delta at Western Michigan University
The Alpha Nu Pi chapter of Sigma Tau Delta brings together a diverse group of students and faculty who share an affininity for English studies. Our members are engaged in all aspects of English studies, including the study of the English language and linguistics, literature, creative writing, rhetoric and professional writing, English education, critical theory, and more.
About our charter
The Alpha Nu Pi chapter of Sigma Tau Delta was chartered in December 2005. Thirty-one students and two faculty members signed our petition for charter, which was accompanied by a letter of support from WMU then-president, Judith Bailey. Dr. Arnie Johnston, who chaired the English department until his retirement in 2007, generously provided funding for our application fee.About our membership
Since inducting our first class of 46 members in March 2006, we have grown to a membership of 190 undergraduate and graduate student members, some of whom have since become alumni, and six faculty members.
The Alpha Nu Pi chapter holds two inductions per academic year, one each fall and spring semester.
Thirty-nine new student members joined us at our most recent induction in October 2009, which was the eighth in our chapter's history. Nineteen new student members joined us in February 2009, along with WMU Writing Center Director Kim Ballard, who became our fifth honorary member. She joins 2007 honorary faculty inductees Dr. Jon Adams, Dr. Meg Dupuis, and Professor Mike LoPresto, and 2008 honorary faculty inductee Dr. Scott Slawinski.
Making our mark
The Alpha Nu Pi chapter has been very active on the WMU campus and beyond. We established the WMU English Studies Conference in 2007 and have made this a WMU tradition, providing a venue for students to present their original scholarly and creative work to an audience of like-minded students and faculty each fall and spring semester.
WMU has also sent a delegation to the Sigma Tau Delta International Convention every year since our charter was granted. Three of our own represented us at the 2006 convention, in Portland, Oregon, just weeks after our first induction ceremony. In 2007, a delegation of 10 Sigma Tau Deltas from WMU presented their work at the convention in Pittsburgh, and in 2008, 10 Alpha Nu Pi students and one alumnus represented us in Louisville, where Jennifer Dempsey, then a WMU senior (and now a graduate student at the University of Maryland) won first prize for poetry, after having placed third in 2007.
Four members of Alpha Nu Pi presented their work at the convention in Minneapolis in March 2009, and an impressive delegation of chapter members accompanied them to the convention to represent WMU and cheer on the presenters.
At the 2009 convention, our own Helena Witzke was elected Associate Student Representative for the Midwest Region, making Helena, a February 2009 inductee, the first such office holder for our chapter. At the same time, Daniel Kenzie, 2008-09 chapter president, was busy nabbing third prize for Best World Lit, British Lit, or Critical Theory Essay.
For the second consecutive year in only our third year of existence, Alpha Nu Pi was invited to participate in the Outstanding Chapter exhibition at the 2009 Minneapolis convention and recognized again as one of the "most active, vital chapters in the country."
Names to know
Mr. Patrick Love, Chapter President Dr. Lisa Minnick, Faculty Advisor, Alpha Nu Pi Chapter Ms. Meghan Dykema, Vice President Dr. Richard Utz, Chair, Department of English Ms. Laura Citino, Communications Officer Ms. Michelle Hruska, Administrative Manager, Department of English Ms. Katie O'Brien, Historian Ms. Becky Beech, English Administrative Staff Ms. Carly Fricano, Events Coordinator Ms. Bethlynn Sanders, English Administrative Staff Mr. Patric Nuttall, Treasurer Ms. Helena Witzke, Asst. Student Representative, Midwestern Region Contact chapter officers and the faculty advisor emailing us, and reach WMU English department faculty and staff by visiting the department website or stopping by the 6th floor of Sprau Tower. And join our Facebook group: Sigma Tau Delta (Alpha Nu Pi Chapter).
About Alpha Nu Pi and the Sigma Tau Delta Mission
Our goals include the following:
1. Confer distinction for high academic achievement.
2. Promote interest in English studies on the WMU campus and in the surrounding community.
3. Foster all the disciplines that comprise English studies.
4. Promote exemplary character and good fellowship among our members.
5. Exhibit high standards of academic excellence.
6. Serve the community by fostering literacy.
Become a friend of the Alpha Nu Pi chapter by donating to the Sigma Tau Delta Fund through the WMU Foundation. Contributions help to fund memberships and conference travel for students. Click here to learn more about the fund or to donate.
To learn more about Sigma Tau Delta, please visit the national organization's website.
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