NMU Sigma Tau Delta Chapter Presents Work at International Convention

Eight representatives of the Northern Michigan University Eta Phi Chapter of Sigma Tau Delta, the International English Honor Society, presented their scholarly, creative and collaborative work at the 2026 Sigma Tau Delta Annual International Convention March 29-April 1 in New Orleans, La. Kailey Buettner won first place in creative nonfiction; Alexandria Bournonville won an honorable mention in the alumni award category; and Isabel Nameth-Beck won the chapter display award. NMU's chapter will celebrate its 40th anniversary this year.

Presentations at the convention spanned poetry, creative nonfiction, literary scholarship, political thought and multi-perspective roundtable dialogue on contemporary issues in literature, education and campus life. Below are the NMU presenters and projects:

Professor Kel Sassi

• Chair, Roundtable Presentation: "Doubt and Dialogue: Censorship, DEI Dynamics & Student Voices in Literature and Campus Life"

Demetri Sarazin

• Roundtable Presentations: "Breaking Boundaries: Rendering Voices to the Un-Heard"; and "Doubt and Dialogue: Censorship, DEI Dynamics & Student Voices in Literature and Campus Life"

Andrew Hoard

• Roundtable Presentation:"Breaking Boundaries: Rendering Voices to the Un-Heard"

Allie Banfield

• Roundtable Presentation: "Doubt and Dialogue: Censorship, DEI Dynamics & Student Voices in Literature and Campus Life"

Antonio Anderson

• Roundtable: "Doubt and Dialogue: Censorship, DEI Dynamics & Student Voices in Literature and Campus Life"
• Creative Work: "The Woods Between It All"
• Research-in-the-Round: "The Role of English Students and Scholars in Political Dissent"

Kennedy Cuddihy

• Roundtable: "Doubt and Dialogue: Censorship, DEI Dynamics & Student Voices in Literature and Campus Life"

Collin Gallion

• Creative Work: "Pickings from Everyday Life"

Kailey Buettner

• Common Reader Entry: "Poem Collection Inspired by the Common Reader: Refusing to Let Me Go"
• Creative Nonfiction (General Submission): "My Brother the Broken Window"

Izzy Nameth Beck

• Creative Work: "Omens: Poetry for Surviving the Body and the World"
• Roundtable: "Doubt and Dialogue: Censorship, DEI Dynamics & Student Voices in Literature and Campus Life"

Alexandria Bournonville

• Creative Work: "This is My Body Which is Broken For You"

Sassi, the chapter adviser, said the "multiple acceptances-across nearly every submission category-reflect the strength of NMU's English programs and the chapter's commitment to elevating student voices in national academic and creative conversations." Members joined 1,100 students and scholars from around the world to share work, participate in workshops and engage with leading writers and literary scholars, including keynote speakers Jesmyn Ward and Aimee Nezhukumatathil.

NMU's Eta Phi chapter of Sigma Tau Delta has also received the Outstanding Chapter Award and the Regents' Common Reader Award this year. Anderson received a $1,500 Internship Award to work with NMU's Passages North literary journal. Alumna Grace Gronowski received a $400 classroom library grant. Sassi said Fiona Barch overcame fierce national competition to be accepted into the Sigma Tau Delta Cambridge Undergraduate Summer Program.

On April 21, the chapter will host a "bad poetry" reading from 5-8 p.m. at the Ore Dock. The cover charge is $5 and proceeds will support chapter activities.

"I am immensely proud of our NMU students for promoting the literary arts in the Upper Peninsula," Sassi added. "Stories help us understand ourselves and the world around us. I am passionate about the Sigma Tau Delta Vision: to transform the world with words."

For more information about the NMU Eta Phi Chapter of Sigma Tau Delta or to learn how to get involved, contact Sassi at [email protected].