On November 12, 2010, at the College of Charleston, Mr. Jaime E. Alemán, Ambassador of the Republic of Panama, was inducted into the Order of the Discoverers, one of the National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society’s highest honors. Mr. Alemán’s impressive public service in support of Hispanic culture, his “promotion of good relations between Englishspeaking countries and those of Spanish speech,” and his support of Sigma Delta Pi’s ideals have earned him this distinction. Past inductees include renowned literary figures such as Vanessa Montfort, Antonio Porpetta, Carmen Laforet and Carmen Conde, among others. View a complete list of past honorees.

Ambassador Alemán was the first person ever inducted into this Order at the College of Charleston. Immediately prior to this prestigious recognition, Ambassador Alemán addressed the College of Charleston community with “A Brief History of Panama, the Fastest Growing Economy in the Americas,” a presentation hosted by Dr. David Cohen, Dean of the School of Languages, Cultures and World Affairs. Also in attendance were Mr. Ron Scheman, member of the LCWA Advisory Board; Dr. Andrew Sobiesuo, Associate Provost; Dr. Douglas Friedman, Director of Latin American and Caribbean Studies; Dr. Mark P. Del Mastro, Chair of Hispanic Studies, among other faculty and students.

Established in 1919 at the University of California, Berkeley, Sigma Delta Pi honors those who have completed three years of study of college-level Spanish, including at least three semester hours of a course in Hispanic literature or Hispanic culture and civilization with a minimal grade point average of 3.0 in all Spanish courses taken. Candidates must also rank in the upper 35% of their class–sophomore, junior, or senior–and must have completed at least three semesters or five quarters of college work. Graduate students may also be elected to membership upon completion of two graduate courses in Spanish with an average which, if continued, will make them eligible for a graduate degree.

With 577 chapters nationwide and its national office at the College of Charleston, Sigma Delta Pi is a member of the Association of College Honor Societies, the nation’s only certifying agency for college and university honor societies.

For more information, contact Mark P. Del Mastro at delmastromp@cofc.edu.