Spanías Didagéi Proágomen: Sigma Delta Pi Induction

By Kinga Fraczkiewicz

On May 29, the Spanish department held the largest Sigma Delta Pi induction ceremony since the beginning of the Kalamazoo College chapter in 2019. It inducted 21 students into the Spanish-speaking collegiate society.

At the front of the Olmsted room stood a dark brown table decorated with a golden-yellow tablecloth spread out in the middle. On the tablecloth were three red candles. Next to them lay certificates, carnations, and pendants to be given to the inductees. On each side of the table, old cushioned chairs are arranged in a semi-circle. Behind them were chairs for the audience.

Sigma Delta Pi is an honor society that aims to honor students who excel in the study of Spanish, to foster understanding and community, and to honor those who promoted an improved understanding of the contributions of the Spanish-speaking world.

Associate Professor of Spanish Dr. Katie Maclean was inducted in May 2019 at the College of Charleston in South Carolina, 11 years after hearing about the society from a representative of the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese. “I was interested in founding a chapter here in Kalamazoo College to raise the profile of Spanish and to honor students’ achievements in Spanish,” she said.

Professors can be inducted as honorary members of the society, and a professor must be inducted to start a new chapter of collegiate society. Dr. Maclean was inducted in May of 2019, after which she started the Kalamazoo College Sigma Delta Pi chapter and inducted Dr. Vázquez Cruz, Dr. Malagamba, Dr. Valle, and Professor Carosella in 2019.

At 4:15 p.m., the inductees filed into the room while the Spanish professors stood dressed in their fine academic regalia at the front, music quietly playing in the background off a large speaker. Sara Reathaford ‘25, the current president of Sigma Delta Pi and a Spanish major, gave an introductory speech and introduced the professors as they read poems and prose aloud throughout the ceremony. The poems selected by Dr. Maclean and Dr. Vázquez Cruz were “Te Llamé en Todas,” “Las Lenguas” by Donato Ndongo, and “Encontré” by Blanca Varela. An excerpt from Don Quijote by Miguel de Cervantes was read last.

The ceremony concluded with the inductees repeating “Spanías Didagéi Proágomen,” which is the society’s Greek motto, translating to “let’s go forth under the guidance of Spanish.” After the inductees lined up in front of the table, they signed their names into a large registry book. Dr. Maclean presented them with their certificate, a carnation, and a pendant.

“I have a great appreciation for the Spanish language and I’m hoping this will give me more ‘ins’ to exploring the Spanish speaking world,” said Siona Wilson ‘26, on why she decided to join the society.

Riley Lambert ‘27, a Spanish and Anthropology double major, is another new inductee. “I have always been in a Spanish immersion program,” she explained. “I felt like it was something right. It’s a way to connect with people.”