Sigma Delta Pi Awards and Scholarships

El Premio José Martel

Once every three years, at the national triennial convention, Sigma Delta Pi honors one of our most outstanding chapter advisers with a check for $500.00 and a beautiful certificate. Nominations for 2004, with all supporting documents, should be received by the National President (Germán D. Carrillo, Foreign Languages & Literatures, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI 53201-1881) no later than April 2, 2004. A nominee for the Premio José 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 résumé that details the nominee's professional activities be included. The Premio José Martel commemorates the service of Dr. José 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 Premio José Martel was first presented in December, 1971, at the triennial convention in New York to Dr. Lucía D. Bonilla of Hunter College, CUNY.

The Orders:

La Orden de los Descubridores

One of the highest honors conferred by Sigma Delta Pi, the Order of the Discoverers recognizes (1) outstanding teachers of Spanish or Hispanic studies at the college or university level; (2) outstanding community-college or high-school teachers of Spanish, with a proven record of excellence in teaching, who were elected to membership in Sigma Delta Pi while in college; (3) Chapter Advisers and regional Vice Presidents who have given distinguished service to Sigma Delta Pi; (4) others--such as government officials, professional people, and university personnel--who have served the cause of Sigma Delta Pi in an exceptional way.
Nomination to this order may be made by a local chapter (by unanimous vote of all active members and approval of the Chapter Adviser), or by a national or regional officer, and must be sent together with a detailed supporting letter and résumé of the nominee, to the Executive Secretary-Treasurer. He will examine the nomination and notify the nominating chapter or officer of his decision within three weeks, unless additional information is needed. If this award is granted, the nominating party must purchase the emblem and plaque and confer the honor at an appropriate ceremony of a local chapter.

La Orden de Don Quijote

The highest honor conferred by Sigma Delta Pi, the Order of Don Quijote recognizes (1) nationally or internationally distinguished scholars in the field of Hispanic studies; (2) distinguished teachers of Spanish who are employed in an accredited four-year college or university, or retired from such service, and have published extensively in the field of Hispanic studies; and (3) college officials, members of the clergy, officers of service clubs or fraternal organizations, members of the judicial, legislative, or executive branches of our federal or state governments, and other such professional people who have served our cause in a very distinguished manner and who would honor us by accepting this award.
Nominations for this award shall be sent with ample supporting documentation to the Executive Secretary-Treasurer who will determine the eligibility of the nominee. If this award is granted, the nominating party must purchase the emblem and plaque and confer the honor at an appropriate ceremony of a local chapter. Please allow at least three weeks for the review of the nomination.

The Richard E. Chandler Scholarship

This award is named in honor of Honorary President and President Emeritus, Richard E. Chandler. Chandler 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 in Summer 2002 will receive this award. The scholarship will consist of a supplement to the basic award.

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). He wrote and published a history of Sigma Delta Pi in 1994-95 to commemorate our seventy-fifth anniversary.
The highest ranked applicant who accepts one of the scholarships for study in Spanish America in Summer 2002 will receive this award. The scholarship will consist of a supplement to the basic award.

El Premio Ignacio y Sophie Galbis

The Premio Ignacio y Sophie Galbis is named in memory of Ignacio Galbis, former Executive Secretary-Treasurer, who, along with his wife Sophie, served Sigma Delta Pi for more than two decades with uncommon love, dedication and efficiency. This award will be presented each year to a chapter whose Annual Report of activities is judged to be indicative of genuinely outstanding work in the furtherance of our purposes.

El Premio Gabriela Mistral

Any active chapter may nominate one oustanding student per year for El Premio Gabriela Mistral. The awardee, who may be either a graduate or undergraduate student, must be an active member of Sigma Delta Pi, as defined in the By-laws. Nominations, together with supporting documentation, including several letters of recommendation and a current transcript, should be sent to the Executive Secretary-Treasurer. Winners will be given a handsome certificate.

Capítulos de Honor y Mérito

Outstanding chapters will be designated Capítulos de Honor y Mérito and will receive a special certificate and recognition in Entre Nosotros. These chapters will be selected on the basis of Annual Reports that each active chapter is asked to submit at the end of the academic year.

El Premio Octavio Paz:

A new award for those chapters that maintain Capítulo de Honor y Mérito status for a complete triennium. The inaugural award will be presented to the corresponding chapter representatives at Sigma Delta Pi's Triennial Convention in 2004 in Acapulco, Mexico.