Sigma Delta Pi
Epsilon Kappa, St. John's University's Chapter of Sigma Delta Pi,
the National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society, was established on
April 17, 1964. The purpose of the Society is to foment a wider
knowledge of, and a greater love for the Hispanic contributions to
modern culture, to provide a nucleus for Spanish language students'
activities, and to reward those who show special attainments and
interests. It is open to college students on the undergraduate and
graduate levels.
The induction ceremony is held every spring semester. Epsilon
Kappa has invited over the years some of the most important
literary figures from both Spain and Latin America. To mention a
few: Rafael Alberti, Fernando Arrabal, Camilo Josi Cela, Carmen
Conde, Josi Donoso, Ana Maria Matute, Elena Poniatowska. Many of
these guests were interviewed on television by its Moderator, Dr.
Marie-Lise Gazarian.
For the past several years, Epsilon Kappa has been recognized
with a Merit Citation from the National Society.
It conducts Tertulias to incite the Hispanic community and the
student body to join together and use Sigma Delta Pi as a forum for
literary discussions and for reading their own creative works.
To publicize the poetry and prose of St. John's University honor
students Epsilon Kappa launched its first literary journal Entre
Rascacielos on October 26, 2001.
Because of its long standing achievements in promoting Hispanic
culture on and off campus, Epsilon Kappa was the recipient of The
Ignacio and Sophie Galbis Award for the year 2000-2001. Its
moderator was inducted into the order of Don Quixote on July 8,
2001, at the Triennial Assembly of Sigma Delta Pi, held in San
Francisco.