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Sigma Delta Pi Named “Honor Chapter” by National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society

Pepperdine’s chapter of Sigma Delta Pi, the National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society, has been named an “Honor Chapter” for its outstanding activities in 2010-11. This is the third consecutive year that Pepperdine has received the same award, which was awarded to only 11 of 581 chapters nationwide this year. 

“Once again, we had outstanding officers to lead our chapter during 2010-11: Kaitlin Flynn, Melanie Sollitt, and Aimee Tsunekawa, all of whom graduated this past May,” says Lila Carlsen, assistant professor of Hispanic Studies and current chapter adviser. “They designed an exciting calendar of service projects and cultural events that promote Hispanic culture. Some of our favorite events this past year included: celebrating Mexican Independence Day on Olveras Street in LA, Hispanic movie nights open to all students, and serving breakfast and teaching English at Malibu Labor Exchange.”

Sigma Delta Pi also partnered with the Face of Microfinance Club and the Inter-Club Council earlier this year to host a convocation event in support of the Argentian community of Adulam, a farming, work, and schooling program assisted by Pepperdine’s Buenos Aires International Program. Chapter President Kaitlin Flynn—who was recently awarded a Service and Social Action Grant Award by the Center for Faith and Learning to continue working in Adulam with fellow graduate Rachel Williams—shared about her experience living and volunteering with the community in Argentina.

“I am extremely grateful that our chapter has been consistently recognized on the national level,” Carlsen continues. “To me, what is more important is that our students master the Spanish language and seek a more nuanced understanding of Hispanic cultures. The Hispanic Studies faculty also deserves credit for this award, since they are inspiring our students to continue learning about Spain and Latin America beyond the classroom, in our community and abroad.”

Three members have won scholarships from Sigma Delta Pi to study in Spain and Mexico: Kaitlin Flynn and Melanie Sollitt were awarded scholarships to study in Alcalá de Henares, Spain, while Taylor Clayton is currently studying in Cuernavaca, Mexico.

Adds Carlsen, “I could not be more proud of our Pepperdine Chapter, and I hope that the attention that this award brings will encourage more students to consider studying Spanish and Hispanic culture. Students seeking membership in Sigma Delta Pi must maintain a high GPA and take upper division Hispanic literature or culture courses.”

Each May, all 581 chapters of Sigma Delta Pi are asked to submit an annual report detailing their numerous activities and projects from the academic year. Based on these reports, the National Executive Committee chooses approximately 10 “Honor Chapters” annually. This recognition is based upon the caliber of chapter projects that reflect the Sigma Delta Pi mission of honoring excellence in the study of the Spanish language, contributing to cultural understanding and upholding the goals of the Society.

With its national office at the College of Charleston in South Carolina, Sigma Delta Pi is a member of the Association of College Honor Societies, the nation’s only certifying agency for college and university honor societies.

Sigma Delta Pi