AUK Inaugurates Members of Sigma Tau Delta

Eight American University of Kuwait students were inducted into Sigma Tau Delta on February 18th, the American-based international honor society promoting excellence in the study of English. Joining the ranks of over 750 internationally active chapters, the Alpha Rho Eta chapter of Sigma Tau Delta at AUK became the first chapter to be established in the Middle East.

The induction welcomed family members of the eight students receiving their membership pins and certificates from Sigma Tau Delta and words of encouragement, congratulations and guidance from the AUK administration and faculty. During the course of the ceremony Dr. Tim Sullivan, AUK's Interim President, Dr. Nizar Hamzeh, Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences and Dr. Craig Loomis, Division Head of Humanities & Arts offered brief remarks. After the traditional distribution of pins and certificates, Nuha Al-Fadli, Sigma Tau Delta President, concluded the night by thanking families and instructors for their support and dedication, and for fostering an environment of free critical, cultural, and intellectual exchange. It is through this combined effort that the inductees are prepared to uphold the Sigma Tau Delta's motto of "sincerity, truth and design."

To become honor society members, AUK students had to earn above a 3.1 GPA in upper level courses in English literature and be recommended by their professors as students who represent the best in scholarship and honor at AUK.

As one of the newest chapters in Sigma Tau Delta, the Alpha Rho Eta chapter at AUK is committed to excellence in the discipline of English and takes its responsibility of being a "first" in the Middle East seriously. Seeking to embrace that responsibility, the members plan to host an event that celebrates literature at AUK and to deliver a panel presentation in the United States.

In March, some of the AUK English honor society will present a panel at the 2010 Sigma Tau Delta convention in St. Louis, Missouri. Entitled Sand, Camels, Oil and Shakespeare: Reconciling our Arabian Gulf Identity with Studying English Literature, AUK's panel will take a comparative, intercultural, interdisciplinary approach to our experience as literature majors in the Middle East. In weaving literary theory, anthropological research, and cultural studies, members will demonstrate the breadth of knowledge and leadership skills AUK students manage to acquire while remaining sensitive to regional and cultural restrictions. Through this exciting academic experience, the presenters wish to shatter some of the misconceptions that enshroud Gulf countries and raise greater awareness to the unique position their citizens occupy as both members of the Muslim society and larger global community. Hence, they will seek to modify current academic and political discourse that centers on the Middle East.

In addition to educating convention attendees, the participants will also have the opportunity to meet internationally renowned writers such as Chris Abani, author of Song for Night and Graceland, Judith Ortiz Cofer, author of The Meaning of Consuelo and Li-Young Lee, author of The Winged Seed: A Rememberance and The City in Which I Love You.

Before traveling to the United States, the Sigma Tau Delta members will share their passion for literature and the arts with the larger AUK community by hosting a read-in in an Arabic setting. They will invite AUK students, faculty and staff to read from Chris Abani, author of Song for Night in a simple tribute to the magical quality of the written word. 

While Sigma Tau Delta is a new organization at AUK, it holds great potential for its members and the larger AUK community. When asked about her experience, Nuha Al-Fadli stated, "It is truly a privilege to belong to such a prestigious and intellectually stimulating organization. We all have great hopes for Sigma Tau Delta. I am sure our chapter will bring unique ideas and exciting events to both AUK and Sigma Tau Delta."

Sigma Tau Delta Faculty Advisor 
Dr. Kathy Nixon

Sigma Tau Delta Officers:
President: Nuha Al-Fadli
Vice President: Fatema Al-Haji
Secretary: Alia Aref
Treasurer: Amnah Ibraheem

Sigma Tau Delta Members:
Nur Soliman
Kawther Sadeq
Dana Al-Failakawi
Mohammed Hassan