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History of the Alpha Tau Chapter of Sigma Tau Delta
In 1924, Sigma Tau Delta was formed, an outgrowth of the Dakota Wesleyan English Club. Judson Q. Owen, its sponsor and our founder, established the purpose, the insignia, the Greek letters and the English words assigned to them—Sincerity, Truth and Design—and the colors, cardinal and black. He announced on May 28, 1924 that the society was national. Professor Owen became the first executive secretary and editor of the society’s literary journal, "The Rectangle." In 1988, the society became international and continues to grow each year.
On Jan. 11, 1985, the St. Norbert College chapter of Sigma Tau Delta was chartered and called Alpha Tau. St. Norbert’s chapter of Sigma Tau Delta has been one that has distinguished itself on and off campus. The Alpha Tau Chapter received the 1986-87 and 1992-93 Sigma Tau Delta Outstanding Chapter of the Year Award and an honorable mention in the category in 1998-99.
In addition to being recognized for outstanding achievement nationally, the Alpha Tau Chapter has established itself as one of the premier honor societies on the St. Norbert College campus. For the last 12 years, the chapter has sponsored the annual Sigma Tau Delta Literary Awards ceremony, which honors creative and scholarly student writers from all disciplines. Each year, a guest writer is invited to the event to read his or her works and to present the literary award winners. The list of guest writers to visit St. Norbert College because of the Literary Awards ceremony is distinguished and includes the likes of Nikki Giovanni, Tim O’Brien, Robert Olen Butler, Jane Hamilton, Lorrie Moore, Jon Hassler, A. Manette Ansay, John Updike, David St. John, W.D. Ehrhart and Patricia Hampl.
Further continuing its commitment to campus and community, the Alpha Tau Chapter sponsors poetry and prose readings, author celebrations and other literary events that highlight Sigma Tau Delta’s year.
The commitment of the Alpha Tau Chapter to St. Norbert College is apparent from the awards the organization has received on campus. In 1986-87, our chapter was awarded the St. Norbert College Best Academic Organization Award.
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