I first joined Sigma Tau Delta on a whim. I had received an email from my local chapter urging me to join, and being new to the whole college thing, I wasn’t sure if I could devote more time to extracurriculars or clubs, but I wanted to find new friends. Sitting in my car in the campus parking lot, I texted my mom: “Hey, I got an invite to join this honor society thing, it’s called Sigma Tau Delta. Apparently, there’s going to be a convention or something in Atlanta too—should I do it?”
Long story short, I decided to dive headfirst into that new thing, joining the chapter as a probationary member. Because I joined so late in the school year and was not a full member yet, I was able to join the group of other chapter members going to Atlanta, GA, for the Spring 2022 Convention as a non-presenter. Instead of presenting, I became Super Volunteer, willing to sit at the merch table, help run registration for an afternoon, and do the general running around and supporting of the other chapter members—people that very quickly became some of my closest friends.
As I approach my fourth Sigma Tau Delta Convention as an undergrad student, third as a presenter, I will always, always, always encourage non-presenters to attend convention as well. Even though I was not participating in panels, roundtables, etcetera, I still had the time of my life in Atlanta. As a non-presenter, you will have plenty of time to listen to panels and roundtables; interact with the authors, students, and faculty; support your friends (new and old); go to student activities; and you truly have time to enjoy the city that you’re in—especially if you haven’t been there before.
It was genuinely so fun to bounce around the Atlanta, GA, convention talking to new people, being exposed to new literature, poetry, and prose, participating in the student events, walking around the city, listening to keynote speakers, getting books signed, and so much more. I came away from that weekend excited to go to the next convention in Denver, CO, even if I was still a Super Volunteer. Overall, I am so glad I was able to experience a convention as a non-presenter at least once. The memories I made will last a lifetime and attending a convention like this is so worth it, even if that doesn’t include presenting.
Finally, I want to urge everyone to join us in Pittsburgh, PA, this year! Not only because the convention will be so much fun, and Pittsburgh is a beautiful city, but to help us celebrate 100 years of Sigma Tau Delta, a Society of like-minded individuals where you can be One of Ours. I hope to see you there—and if you are there, stop me and say hi!
Sophia Jockell
Student Representative, Southern Region, 2024-2025
Alpha Upsilon Phi Chpater
University of North Georgia, Gainesville, Oakwood, GA
Addendum
Leigh G. Dillard, Sigma Tau Delta Board Vice President
I asked Sophia to write this entry in my capacity as Co-Chair of this year’s convention and as Co-Advisor of her home chapter on the Gainesville campus of the University of North Georgia. Her main idea should resonate: this really is an event you shouldn’t miss.
Among the things Sophia omits in her “long-story-short” gesture is that her mother—the one she asked if this new thing was worth trying—was inducted years earlier to the UNG Gainesville chapter as an undergraduate English major. She was also our first Convention Paper Award recipient, claiming an Honorable Mention prize for her essay on Frederick Douglass. So I have a feeling that the advice Sophia got to take the leap and join was formed partly by her mom’s own experiences in the Society and the local chapter. That’s significant.
Sophia’s enthusiasm reflects the kind of energy the convention organizers are aiming to perpetuate. Along with the engaging creative and critical works presented by Society students and alumni, roundtables sharing strategies and proving our problem-solving abilities, and countless opportunities for formal and informal conversations, we’ve scheduled a great lineup of speakers for keynote events and the new LitFest mini-sessions. We’ll also have a vendor space with a pop-up shop from Pittsburgh-based White Whale Bookstore, City Books, W. W. Norton & Company, the Willa Cather Foundation, NCTE, and MLA (among others) along with the usual chapter merchandise and displays. We’ve packed the schedule from Wednesday night to Saturday early evening.
If you’re presenting, convince other chapter members to come share the experience with you. And, as Sophia encourages you, even if you’re not presenting, make the trip: you’re sure to find your place among the many who have already registered.