RHO LAMBDA CHAPTER

of

SIGMA DELTA PI

University of North Carolina

Wilmington

The Rho Lambda Chapter of Sigma Delta Pi, National Collegiate Hispanic Honorary Society, was chartered April 22, 1988, on the campus of the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Students whose academic achievement in the study of Hispanic language, literature and culture meets the requirements of the national organization are invited to join. The primary purpose of Sigma Delta Pi is to encourage and honor those who seek and attain excellence in this endeavor.    Currently, new members are inducted at a ceremony held at the end of each semester.

History and Description of the National Organization

    Sigma Delta Pi, the National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society (La Sociedad Nacional Honoraria Hispánica) was established on November 14, 1919, at the University of California in Berkeley.  Its insignia is the royal seal of Fernando and Isabel, representing Castille, León and Aragón.  The Society's colors are red and gold and its flower is the red carnation.
    With the guidance of such notable Hispanists as S. Griswold Morley, Elijah C. Hills, Rudolph Schevill, Leavitt O. Wright, William Berrien, John D. Fitz-Gerald, Tomás Navarro Tomás, José Martel, Archer M. Huntington, John T. Reid, Stuart M. Gross, James O. Swain, F. Dewey Amner, Carl A. Tyre, T. Earle Hamilton, Dolores Brown, Richard E. Chandler and John H. LaPrade, the Society has expanded its activities and now has over 490 chapters.  Almost all state universities have chapters and the few that do not are now considering the founding of one.
    The following reveal the diverse nature of the colleges and universities which form the Sigma Delta Pi family: Columbia University, the Catholic University of America, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, Duke University, Southern Methodist University, Cornell University, Baruch College, the University of Hawaii, Oral Roberts University, Cornell University, Georgian Court College, Stanford University, Texas Christian University, Hood College, Brigham Young University, College of William and Mary, Howard University, Mount St. Mary's College, Friends University, Georgia Southern College, Marquette University, Baylor University, Brown University, Stanford University, The University of Chicago, Auburn University and The Citadel.
    In order to serve its many chapters most efficiently, the Society has a National President, an Executive Secretary-Treasurer, and five Regional Vice Presidents.  All but the Executive Secretary-Treasurer are nominated and elected by the active chapter members, and the President appoints a director for each state.  The Society is governed by an Executive Council consisting of the seven aforementioned officials, the Immediate Past President, and the President Emeritus.

(UNCW’s Morton Hall, watercolor by Marcus Johnson.)