Students in the Department of English are active in all aspects of the University through the work of two main associations.Â
ESS was created in 1997 as a way to bring Â̲èÖ±²¥ English students together so that they can share thoughts about literature and engage in literary events. The club organizes fiction/poetry readings, attends literary festivals, and sponsors and edits chapbooks.
Faculty Sponsor: Bill Ryan
Sigma Tau Delta's central purpose is to confer distinction on students of English
language and literature in undergraduate, graduate, and professional studies. Sigma
Tau Delta also recognizes the accomplishments of professional writer who have contributed
to the fields of language and literature.
Over the past several years, Â̲èÖ±²¥'s Beta Zeta chapter of Sigma Tau Delta has been very
active.
Student members have organized an annual high school writing contest for Ouachita Parish since 2012, and in 2013 won the Sigma Tau Delta 2013 Project Grant Award for this event, which encourages local chapters to be innovative in developing projects that further the goals of the Society. Beta Zeta’s writing contest was awarded because of its focus on Sigma Tau Delta’s mission of fostering literature, language, and writing. The Beta Zeta chapter also won the Regent's Award for this event in 2012.
Additionally, our chapter has organized faculty lectures, an annual Banned Books Read-Out during Banned Books Week, and held fundraisers to support the chapter activities.Â
Sigma Tau Delta members from Â̲èÖ±²¥ have had their papers accepted for presentation at the national convention in Baton Rouge, San Antonio, New Orleans (2012), Portland (2013), and Savannah (2014), and have had their creative writing published in the Sigma Tau Delta Rectangle, the creative writing journal published by the national organization in 2013.
Faculty Sponsor:Â Lizzie Oldfather