Morris College Inducts New Members into Sigma Tau Delta International English Honor Society

April 21, 2021

Fifteen Morris College students were inducted virtually into the Alpha Gamma Pi Chapter of Sigma Tau Delta International English Honor Society. The virtual formal induction ceremony took place on Thursday, April 8, 2021, at 6:15 p.m. via zoom. The theme of this year’s induction ceremony was “Celebrating Academic Excellence in Higher Education.” Sigma Tau Delta International English Honor Society strives to confer distinction for high achievement in English language and literature in undergraduate, graduate, and professional studies. Sigma Tau Delta strives to serve society by fostering literacy.

In an effort to make the virtual formal induction ceremony memorable, the Society sought to highlight the achievements of all its new members while long-standing members gave pearls of wisdom about literacy and education to the new members.  Prior to the virtual formal induction ceremony, new members (also known as “Deltans") composed a “Meet the Deltans” profile. Information from the profile was then shared in PowerPoint slides entitled, “Honoring Distinguished Deltans.” Information in the profile included the new member’s name, major, classification, favorite book, hobbies, and academic honors and awards.

When asked to deliver a pearl of wisdom about her love for literacy to the new members, the Chapter President, Patoshia S. James included the following message in her virtual profile:

“Literature is where I go to escape my reality. At times, I can be playing in the woods with Pooh and his friends. Sometimes, I may be riding a wild horse through an open plain with one of the Westmoreland men. Reading is my vacation or adventure without leaving home.”            

The Alpha Gamma Pi Chapter currently has a total of 29 members and four chapter advisors who are diligently working to ensure its vitality on the Morris College campus and in Sumter and surrounding communities. Ms. Priscilla Patten currently serves as the Lead Chapter Advisor.

Mrs. Thoma Williams presided over the virtual formal induction ceremony. When asked to share a pearl of wisdom about the importance of literacy and education, Mrs. Williams replied, “Reading and writing are the foundations for all aspects of life. I cannot imagine a world without these precious skills. A child who learns to read will become an adult who thinks. The world will open up to that child and that child will effectively express himself or herself in a manner that could change the world. That change will become the bridge to success in life.”

The Alpha Gamma Pi Chapter acknowledges the following students who met membership requirements during the spring 2021 semester:

Member’s Name	Classification	Major
Jasmine Lorraine Abraham	Junior	English Major
Jeanette Blanding	Junior	Christian Education Major
Shekia S. Bradford	Junior	Organizational Management
Bryanna Fleming	Junior	Early Childhood Education
Bracia Kayla Gero	Junior	Criminal Justice Major
Lauren M. Gomillion	Junior	English/Secondary Education
Diamond Denise Jackson	Junior	Sociology
Miranda Kohn	Junior	Organizational Management
Tara Lowery	Graduating Senior	Organizational Management
Ayanna C. Mungin	Sophomore	Sociology
Nigeria Myers	Junior	Criminal Justice
Sylvia A. Richardson	Graduating Senior	Organizational Management
Jeremiah Sloan Robinson	Sophomore	Business Administration
Latoya T. Timmons	Junior	Organizational Management
Denise Walker-Taylor	Graduating Senior	Organizational Management

The Alpha Gamma Pi Chapter acknowledges the following students who met membership requirements during the spring 2020 semester at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic:

Member’s Name	Classification	Major
Teranesha Felder	Senior	Criminal Justice
Donyai Gist	Senior	Elementary Education
Joshua Lekiel Hampton	Class of 2020
Patoshia Shenise James	Graduating Senior	Organizational Management
Patrick Lopaze Jeffcoat	Graduating Senior	Pastoral Ministry
Kenton O’Neal Kelley	Graduating Senior	Recreation Administration
Ashley Rosemarie Knowlin	Graduating Senior	Organizational Management
Malayna Natasha McFadden	Graduating Senior	Business Administration
William Issac Webb	Class of 2020
Brooklyn West	Class of 2020

This event was sponsored by the Alpha Gamma Pi Chapter of Sigma Tau Delta International English Honor Society.  The Morris College administration, faculty, staff, and the family and friends of the inductees were invited. Approximately 50 guests were in attendance.

Examples of slides of two members who completed their membership requirements during spring 2021:

Examples of slides of two members who completed their membership requirements during spring 2020: