William Johnson, executive director of the collegiate English honor society Sigma Tau Delta and a professor of English at Northern Illinois University, convened a meeting of community college professors in Chicago 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.
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.
On April 20, 2008, a Sigma Kappa Delta chapter erected a monument at the burial site of 19th-century humorist George Washington Harris. In 2014, the society had 118 chapters and a total of 23,093 initiates.
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. 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 Sigma Tau Delta 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.
12Darton State College merged into Albany State University in 2016, under the Albany State name. The former Darton campus became the site of Albany State University's Darton College of Health Professions. Both schools offered, and Albany continues to offer, several 2-year Associate degrees along with 4-year Bachelor's degrees.
↑Chapter formed at North Platte Community College, now Mid-Plains Community College, North Platte-North.
