Illinois State University’s Eta Upsilon chapter of Sigma Delta Pi, the national collegiate Hispanic honor society, has been named an “Honor Chapter” for its exceptional activities in 2015-16.
This honor was bestowed to only 13 chapter nationwide in 2016, and it is the fourth consecutive year that Illinois State has been awarded the “Honor Chapter.” Because the University earned this award each year during the 2013-16 triennium, Eta Upsilon was also one of eight chapters to receive the prestigious Octavio Paz Award at Sigma Delta Pi’s Triennial Convention in Miami, Florida, in July.
Assistant Professor of Spanish Angela Bailey de las Heras, the Eta Upsilon chapter advisor, played a crucial role in earing this national honor, and subsequently, her efforts were rewarded with the 2016 Minaya Álvar Fáñez Award, which is granted annually to Sigma Delta Pi’s chapter advisor of the year.
Every summer more than 610 chapters of Sigma Delta Pi are asked to submit an annual report detailing their numerous activities and projects from the academic year. The National Executive Committee chooses approximately 10-15 “Honor Chapters” annually based off of these reports. The chapters awarded this honor demonstrate projects exceptionally high in caliber, that also 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.
For additional information, contact Bailey da las Heras at (309) 438-7192.
