Sigma Delta Pi Induction Ceremony

After two years of virtual ceremonies, the World Languages and Cultures Department once again hosted an in-person induction for the newest members of Sigma Delta Pi, the National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society. Sigma Delta Pi strives to honor its members for their outstanding academic achievement in Hispanic studies, including the study of the Spanish language and the study of the literature and culture of the Spanish-speaking world.

The motto “Spanías Didagéi Proágomen” means “Let’s continue forth under the teaching of the Spanish language.” My fellow inductees and I repeated this motto at the ceremony on Saturday, April 30, 2022. Along with Julianna Gray ‘23, Kathryn Kubisek ‘24, and Evelyn Musto ‘22, I had the honor of being inducted into the Nu Chi Chapter of Sigma Delta Pi.

When we walked into the ceremony on Saturday, we were met by a silent room and more than a dozen eyes focused on us. Because the group of inductees was so small and I was the first one in alphabetical order, I was feeling a bit nervous because I would have to lead the group on the walk in, the lighting of the candles, and the signing of the book. However, once I walked into the ceremony, I could tell that everyone was there to support us and they were all just excited to see us receive this honor.

I took a deep breath as the ceremony began. It was conducted entirely in Spanish which, in my opinion, made it all the more fun. I was thinking of my parents, James and Darcy Strauss, who had come to support me and were probably very lost as to what was being said. The current President of Eastern’s Chapter of Sigma Delta Pi, Lizbeth Macías, led the ceremony. She and Vice President, Yenifer Serrano, began the ceremony with some opening remarks. These were followed by readings from the other officiators including several poems and a reading from “Don Quijote de la Mancha.” As an English major and someone who appreciates literature, this was my favorite part. The speakers included many distinguished guests—Dr. Carmen Cid (former Dean of Arts and Sciences), Dr. Kin Chan (World Languages and Cultures Department Chair and Advisor to the Nu Chi Chapter of Sigma Delta Pi), Dr. Ana Funes-Maderey (Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Assistant Department Chair of the Philosophy Department at Eastern), Dr. Sonia Cintrón-Marrero (emerita professor in the World Languages and Cultures Department) and Ms. Ashley Smith ’20 *21 (member of Sigma Delta Pi).

After the readings, my fellow inductees and I took part in the candle-lighting ceremony, the signing of the membership book, and the receiving of our pins and certificates. At that point, we were officially inducted into Sigma Delta Pi.

As a student who greatly values her education and takes pride in her commitment to academics, I am greatly honored that I got to become a part of Eastern’s Chapter of Sigma Delta Pi. Language learning is a passion of mine and I am glad that I was able to be recognized for that through my membership in Sigma Delta Pi. My hope is that my fellow inductees and I will continue to follow our passion for learning about the Spanish language and Hispanic cultures.