About Sigma Tau Delta

an overview of the organization:

sigma tau delta was formed in the early 1920s, an outgrowth of the dakota wesleyan english club of mitchell, south dakota. judson q. owen, the founder, established the purpose, the insignia, the greek letters, the english words assigned to them (sincerity, truth, design), and the colors cardinal and black. On may 28, 1924, with english departments at several universities having formed chapters, professor owen proclaimed sigma tau delta to be a national honor society. owen became the first executive secretary and editor of the society's literary magazine, the rectangle, positions he held until his death in 1969.

one of the most notable features of the honor society from its earliest years to the present has been its national gatherings, which are still today a relatively unique happening for college student organizations. sigma tau delta’s first convention, which brought together 31 local chapters from across the nation, met in des moines in 1925. its second convention was held here in kansas city in 1928. in the 1970s, these national gatherings became biannual and, more recently, annual. Within the past five years, the national meetings have been held in locales as diverse as corpus christi, tx, boise, id, cincinnati, oh, and orlando, fl. the march 2005 convention was held at the westin crown center hotel in kansas city, with alpha mu gamma serving as a host chapter for the convention.

sigma tau delta seeks to benefit its members by encouraging the higher life in terms of truth and beauty in the literary arts and in providing congenial association with those of like interests.

home