Awards
The Gabriela Mistral Award
The Premio Gabriela Mistral is an award that may be granted to an outstanding graduate or undergraduate student of Spanish who is an active member of Sigma Delta Pi. Honorary members are not eligible. Any active chapter may nominate one student per year for the Gabriela Mistral Award and shall send the nomination together with supporting documentation, including at least two letters of recommendation and a current transcript, to the Executive Secretary-Treasurer. Winners of the award will be given a certificate.
The Jose Martel Award
Once every three years, at the national triennial convention, Sigma Delta Pi honors one of the Society's most outstanding chapter advisers with a monetary award and a certificate. Nominations with all supporting documents should be received by the Executive Secretary-Treasurer no later than April 1 of the year in which the national triennial convention is held.
A nominee for the Premio Jose Martel must have served at one college or university as a successful chapter adviser for five consecutive years with at least one initiation each year, be currently serving as chapter adviser, and be nominated by a chapter or by a member of the Executive Council. The nomination must document the accomplishments of the adviser in connection with the chapter, as well as the adviser's other academic attainments. Supporting letters from the nominee's dean and another high college official must accompany the nomination. It is suggested that the activities of the chapter during the past five years be enumerated and described, and that a resume that details the nominee's professional activities be included.
The Premio Jose Martel commemorates the service of Dr. Jose Martel, who died August 22, 1979, at the age of 96, after serving Sigma Delta Pi loyally and unselfishly for over half a century in many capacities: chapter adviser, vice president, honorary president, faithful counselor, orator on national occasions, and polished author in the rewriting of parts of our ritual and in the preparation of certificates of award.
The Minaya Alvar Fanez Award
Established in 2004, this award may recognize yearly one Chapter Adviser for exemplary initiative in encouraging and assisting with chapter activities. The awardee will receive a plaque and a cash award and will be chosen by the Executive Committee on the basis of the Annual Reports that each active chapter submits at the end of the academic year.
The Frida Kahlo Award
Established in 2006, this award is presented yearly to a chapter for its outstanding website. To be considered for this honor, chapters must e-mail their website addresses to the Executive Secretary-Treasurer by December 1 of the year in question. Websites are judged on the basis of information provided, navigability, appearance, innovation and current maintenance. The selected chapter will receive a handsome plaque.
The Jorge Luis Borges Award
Established in 2007 as one of Sigma Delta Pi's most prestigious honors, this recognition for lifetime achievement will be reserved for those persons who have demonstrated sustained and exemplary dedication to the work of the Society. Nominations detailing the nominee's relevant contributions must be sent to the Executive Secretary-Treasurer by a chapter or a member of the Executive Council; awardees will be approved by a majority vote of the Executive Committee, and the award presented in a venue determined by the same committee.
Scholarships
The Executive Committee, under the direction of the President, will establish policies for the annual scholarship program.
The T. Earle Hamilton Scholarship.
This award is named in memory of Honorary President and President Emeritus, T. Earle Hamilton, who died October 2, 1996. Hamilton served as President of Sigma Delta Pi for a total of fifteen years (1960-68 and 1972-77). The highest ranked applicant who accepts one of the scholarships for study in Spanish America will receive this award. The scholarship will consist of a supplement to the basic award and is contingent upon the availability of scholarships during the year in question.
The Richard E. Chandler Scholarship.
This award is named in honor of President Emeritus and Honorary President, Richard E. Chandler. He served as President of Sigma Delta Pi for a total of fifteen years (1977-92) during which time 141 new chapters were installed. The highest ranked applicant who accepts one of the scholarships for study in Spain will receive this award. The scholarship will consist of a supplement to the basic award and is contingent upon the availability of scholarships during the year in question.