Nation’s Largest Spanish Honor Society Establishes Chapter at Belmont

Sigma Delta Pi creates new opportunities for students to connect, lead and engage beyond the classroom

This past spring semester, a group of students quietly waited outside the Barbara Massey Rogers boardroom,  whispering eagerly to one another on a quiet afternoon in late April. Moments later, the doors swung open to reveal a table piled high with red roses and soft Spanish music filtering through the room.  

As students filed in and found their seats, Assistant Professor of Spanish Dr. Parker Lawson delivered introductory remarks exclusively in Spanish, marking the official establishment of Belmont’s newest honor society.  

With that ceremony, Belmont welcomed the Alpha Gamma Delta chapter of Sigma Delta Pi to campus.  

As the nation’s largest collegiate Spanish honor society, Sigma Delta Pi (SDP) has over 600 chapters across the United States. Dedicated to recognizing excellence in Spanish language study and promoting Hispanic culture and history, the organization was a natural fit for Belmont students seeking additional ways to connect beyond the classroom.

“Our students are hungry for cultural opportunities,” said Lawson. “And being connected to one another is really important to them. Most Spanish students study abroad or are double majors, so their class schedules don’t always align perfectly with one another. SDP gives them even more opportunities to stay connected.”  

Supporting a Growing Program 

More than 90 students at Belmont are currently majoring or minoring in Spanish, housed in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, often alongside another field of study. In response to increased interest in learning Spanish across campus, Belmont launched the Spanish for Health Professions minor, which has opened the door for even more students in the health sciences to gain language proficiencies that will serve them well in future careers.   

“SDP is special because, despite its 100-year history, every program and initiative it supports actively looks towards the future of Spanish language learning,” shared Lawson. “They’re actively expanding the opportunities available for students to learn more about Spanish culture, language and history and how that may inform their professional lives after college.” 

By welcoming SDP to Belmont’s campus, students across healthcare, business and liberal arts are investing in a pre-existing architecture that provides a wealth of educational and professional development experiences. Students will have opportunities to build community across disciplines while participating in cultural, academic and service-oriented experiences on a national scale.  

“Now a part of Sigma Delta Pi’s circle of 640 established chapters nationwide, Belmont will be able to present its qualifying members for numerous national scholarship, leadership and award opportunities that will define their years as Spanish language students,” said Dr. Mark Del Mastro, executive director of Sigma Delta Pi. “Membership in Sigma Delta Pi is for life. Belmont should be commended for their successful chapter application and for the growth their members will experience for years to come.” 

Building Community and Expanding Opportunities 

Among those inducted into Belmont’s SDP chapter were 15 students and three faculty members. Initial interest in bringing the honor society to campus came from chapter president and rising senior Emma Andrews, whose enthusiasm quickly gained support among her peers. As Lawson worked to establish the paperwork necessary for their application, Andrews helped rally Belmont’s Spanish language student community in support of the new chapter.  

“Emma deserves all of the praise for her work bringing SDP to our campus,” shared Lawson. “She truly led the charge in generating the interest necessary for us to be here today.”  

In addition to fostering community, SDP also provides access to grants, scholarship funding, study abroad opportunities and guest lecturers. Newly inducted faculty member, including Associate Dean and Associate Professor Dr. Natalia Pelaz sees these experiences as deeply formative for students. 

“The establishment of the Belmont chapter of Sigma Delta Pi was a project led by Spanish students and, as such, is a testament to their dedication and love for Spanish language and Hispanic cultures,” shared Pelaz. “Through this chapter, our Spanish students have built a strong intellectual home, as well as a profound connection to a larger community of learners rooted in a rich historical tradition.”