The College of New Jersey’s chapter of Sigma Tau Delta International English Honor Society is fresh off a trip to the society’s annual convention, this year held in Denver, Colorado. Thirty-five TCNJ students and two alumni were among 650 total student presenters, sharing their papers and critical work and participating in roundtable discussions.
Additionally, the four TCNJ faculty members who authored The Toni Morrison Book Club — Juda Bennett, Winnifred Brown-Glaude, Cassandra Jackson, and Piper K. Williams — presented a keynote on the book. Diane Steinberg served as convention chair.
“As usual, TCNJ had the biggest — and loudest by far — delegation,” said Felicia Steele, associate professor of English and co-advisor of Sigma Tau Delta.
The delegation also had five award winners among its ranks:
Lauren Farrell ’24, first prize for Critical Essay on British Literature for her paper “The Distorted Woman and the Power of Men.”
Samantha Segreto ’22 won a $200 prize for her critical essay on poetry in honor of Beth Demo for her essay “Room for [N]o [O]ne: Zong!’s Self-Less Witness.”
Matthew Chinique ’25, honorable mention for his Critical Essay (everything else) for his essay “The Awakening: How to Fall in Love with Yourself”
Mackenzie Dwyer ’22, honorable mention in the Stemmlet/Dennis Award for her critical essay on LGBTQ& Themes “Killing the Corporate Author: Queer Theory & Luca”
Caroline Geoghegan ’23, honorable mention for her poetry collection, “There are Reasons to Forget the Womb.”
Membership in the Alpha Epsilon Alpha chapter of Sigma Tau Delta is open to all TCNJ students interested in literature in English or in the English language. Being an English major or minor is not a requirement for membership. The national organization has over 900 active chapters located in the United States and abroad.
“I got involved with Sigma Tau Delta for the leadership, scholarship, and internship opportunities,” said Megan Finan ’24, elementary education and English major and president of TCNJ’s chapter. “Plus, so many of the events are just plain fun! I’ve been involved with the executive board for the past two years, and I’ve worked with some of the best people on campus.”
“The English major at TCNJ is filled to the brim with different ways to get involved,” said Chinique, secondary education and English major and treasurer. “I especially owe a lot of thanks to my professors in the English department, who have always been there to support me and let me know about opportunities.”
Learn more about Sigma Tau Delta at TCNJ on their website.
— Emily W. Dodd ’03