2024 Sigma Kappa Delta Convention

                                                                                 


Sigma Tau Delta/Sigma Kappa Delta will hold its Centennial Convention April 3 - 6, 2024. It is a truly wonderful event that allows hundreds of Sigma Tau Deltans and Sigma Kappa Deltans from around the globe to gather in one locale, share experiences and ideas, be recognized for their achievements, and participate in the official side of the Society. At the convention, opportunities abound to meet face to face with other students, faculty, and respected authors, make new friends, discuss the disciplines of the English language and literature, and enjoy the offerings of the convention's location. 
 

Schedule of SKD Events


Wednesday, April 3

3:00 pm          Registration, Broadway Foyer

6:45 pm          Opening Ceremony, Salon A-D

 

Thursday, April 4
7:30 am           Registration, Broadway Foyer

 

11:00 am

C-04    Creative Nonfiction: Change and the Environment, Gateway 1

chaired by Stacy Egan and Allison Sadler

C-05    Symbolism, Tragedy, and the Gothic, Gateway 3

Sexuality, Patriarchy, Symbolism in “A White Heron,”

Chloe Bollin - Cottey College (MO),

C-06    Early Modern Reflections on Humanity and the Divine Gateway, Gateway 4 chaired by Leigh Ann Rhea and Andrew Dampier

C-10    Adolescence and Ethics, Salon G, chaired by Victoria Stoutenger and Serena Richards

C-14    Original Prose: Reflections on Life, Ballpark 2

            “The Waltz,” Jackson Bulman - Calhoun Community College (AL)

            “Lucky Strikes,” Jason Van Wyk - Calhoun Community College (AL)

12:15 pm        Student Roundtable participants and chair meet-up. Meet in Hotel Lobby for lunch at Ballpark Pizza (located in the host hotel—Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark)

1:45 pm

D-17    Roundtable: Literature—A Gateway to Understanding Ourselves, Lindbergh

chaired by Matthew Brown, Calhoun Community College (AL)

Jack Gahr - Calhoun Community College (AL); Sundance Hollingsworth - Aims Community College, Greeley Campus (CO); Mariah Crawford - Aims Community College, Greeley Campus (CO); Jada Casey - Northeast Alabama Community College (AL)

3:15     E-05    Examining body Image, Culture, and Sexuality, Gateway 3

Sandra Cisneros’ “Down There” as Menstrual Activism, Gideon Hatt – Cottey College (MO)

6:00 pm          Ticketed Event

SKD Meet & Greet. Meet in Hotel Lobby at 5:30 pm. to walk to Live! By Loews,           799 Clark Avenue. Tickets for this event will be in your

registration materials.

7:30 pm          Keynote Author: Maryfrances Wagner, Salon A-D

8:30 pm          Book Signing, Grand Foyer

9:00 pm          Bad Poetry

 

Friday, April 5

7:30 am           Registration, Broadway Foyer

 

8:00 am          SKD Advisor Meeting, Ballpark 3

G-15    Roundtable: New Jersey Literature in Flux? Fuggedaboutit!, Salon A-D

chaired by Jayanti Tamm – Ocean County College

David Bordelon – Ocean County College (NJ); Zoe Talbot – The College of New Jersey; Kristin Daly – The College of New Jersey

9:30 am

H-18    Roundtable: Maintaining an Innovative Chapter, Gateway 2, chaired by Donna Newsome, River Parishes Community College (LA)

            Mary Field - Arkansas State University - Mid-South (AR); Ashok Karra - Odessa College (TX); Brendan Egan - Midland College (TX); Serena Richards - Collin College (TX)

 

11:00 am         Ticketed Event

SKD Linda Kraeger Awards Luncheon. Meet in Hotel Lobby at 10:30 am to walk to Carmine’s Steak House, 20 S 4th Street. We must arrive at the location as a group. Tickets for this event will be in your registration materials.

2:15 pm         

I-11     The Subversion and Marginalized Identities, Market Street Room

            The Subversion of Gender in My Antonia, Alexandria Lay -Cottey College (MO)

I-13     Original Prose: Love and Romance, Ballpark 1

            “A Little Ditty,” Jack Gahr - Calhoun Community College (AL)

3:45 pm          Common Reader Keynote: Carl Phillips, Salon A-D

4:45 pm          Book Signing, Grand Foyer

 

Saturday, April 6

8:00 am

J-04     Original Poetry: Loneliness and Mental Health, Gateway 3

            “Flying Again,” Matthew Brown, Calhoun Community College (AL)

J-09     Women, Romance, and Justice, Laciede

The Longing for Socioeconomic Justice, Hanna Sanchez, Midland College (TX)

J-13     Roundtable: Teaching at the Two-Year College: Big Things Come in Small

Packages, Lindbergh

Chaired by Joan Reeves – Northeast Alabama Community College (AL)

Stacy Egan, Midland College (TX); Marie Hendry, State College of Florida - Venice; Bradley Sides - Calhoun Community College (AL), Crystal Sosa - Odessa College (TX)

9:30 am

            K-01    Creative Nonfiction: American Values and Work, Grand Suite 1, chaired by

Jayanti Tamm and Isabel Stollsteimer.

            K-08    Conversation with Carl Phillips, Market Street Room

 

12:45 pm        Ticketed Event                    

Sigma Tau Delta Convention Luncheon, Salon A-D




As Sigma Tau Delta approaches its centennial anniversary (1924-2024), its many facets reflect the state of English-related studies: in flux, in transition, flexible, fluid, evolving, tradition and convention absorbing influence and innovation. New subjects, authors and audiences, media, and concern are built upon a foundation of respect for history and the wisdom of predecessors while always in process of revising and renewing them for each succession of students and teachers.
 
It is appropriate that this Centennial Convention will be celebrated in St. Louis, a crossroads and river confluence, the “gateway to the west,” a meeting ground for Indigenous Nations since before European exploration. We will gather to share our stories, to meet new people and old friends, and to learn new ways of seeing.




Check out the Common Reader for this year’s convention:
 Then the War and Selected Poems, by Carl Phillips