Photo Caption: Members of Sigma Kappa Delta collect and count books donated through Project Graduation: Feed a Body, Feed a Mind.

(COLUMBIA, Tenn. - July 23, 2014) - - - Sigma Kappa Delta, the English honor society for two-year colleges, has just completed its first full year at Columbia State Community College under the sponsorship of English instructor, Brittany Hall. The new Eta Beta chapter has inducted 27 new members, won a national award in writing, held fundraising events, and gone on field trips.

"I see this club as an excellent opportunity to get some of our talented, studious students recognized within a national organization," Hall explained. "I encourage my students to take advantage of this chance to display their academic success and represent their college and community."

SKD strives to confer distinction for high achievement in English language and literature. Eta Beta member, James Pegler realized that goal when he won 1^st place in a national SKD writing contest.

Another aim of the organization is to provide cultural stimulation on college campuses and promote interest in literature and the English language in surrounding communities. Columbia State's group celebrated National Day on Writing by setting up "Six Word Memoir" stations on both the Columbia and the Lawrence County campuses.

Members also co-sponsored a creative writing contest, titled "Transitions," with Columbia State's Teaching and Learning Center. The winning works were published in Columbia State's literary journal, "Perceptions."

One of the most important goals of SKD is to foster literacy. Eta Beta members sold baked goods to benefit a classroom at Oak Grove Elementary School in Lewisburg. The students then helped Ms. Crump's class purchase "Read-Alongs" for their Listen to Reading Center.

The chapter members also took up book donations for Project Graduation: Feed a Body, Feed a Mind and delivered over 500 books to a Place of Hope, a substance abuse center in Columbia, to help build up their new library. Along with fellow Columbia State honors society, Phi Theta Kappa, they also delivered children's books and canned goods to the Family Center.

In addition to academic activities, Eta Beta members enjoy numerous social events, including a field trip to the Southern Festival of Books and a viewing of "Ender's Game" in Cool Springs. The chapter also held a Literary Trivia Day complete with pizza and prizes on the Columbia campus and hosted a "Game of Thrones" viewing party in Lawrenceburg.

In the fall, planning will begin for the coming year's activities with weekly meetings in both Columbia and Lawrenceburg. More information on Sigma Kappa Delta and other college organizations can be found at http://www.columbiastate.edu/CampusLife.

SKD promotes honors excellence in English, and members enjoy writing, reading, discussion and fellowship. Membership is open to students who have competed two college English courses and maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher in English and scholarship. For more information, contact Hall by email at bhall17@ColumbiaState.edu.

Columbia State is a two-year college, serving a nine-county area in southern Middle Tennessee with locations in Columbia, Franklin, Lawrenceburg, Lewisburg and Clifton. As Tennessee's first community college, Columbia State is committed to increasing access and enhancing diversity at all five campuses. Columbia State is a member of the Tennessee Board of Regents, one of the largest higher education systems in the nation. For more information, please visit www.columbiastate.edu.

Tennessee's Community Colleges is a system of 13 colleges offering a high-quality, affordable, convenient and personal education to prepare students to achieve their educational and career goals in two years or less. We offer associate degree and certificate programs, workforce development programs and transfer pathways to four-year degrees. For more information, please visit us online at tncommunitycolleges.org.

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