1. Work on your convention submission (and, maybe, receive an award?): The November deadline for submitting papers for the convention always seems to sneak up on us. Therefore, getting started over the summer on a paper or creative piece for the March 2011 Convention in Pittsburgh, PA, would be an excellent idea. Try to allow yourself sufficient time to revise your work accordingly. Taking the time to polish the work you submit can lead to recognition and rewards: the Society grants awards in excess of $6,000 for the best critical papers and creative works from among the convention submissions.

2. Apply for a scholarship: Sigma Tau Delta gives out more than $65,000 annually in scholarships, awards, and grants, including some student scholarships worth $2,500 to $4,000. Sometimes there are a small number of applicants for these scholarships. Consider applying for one of the Society’s awards, grants, scholarships, and internships. The deadline for applications for most of the awards and scholarships is October 30th, so again, it would be an excellent idea to begin working on an application this summer. Find the link to scholarships on the website at www.english.org for application information.

3. Get started on the Common Reader, Lorene Cary’s Black Ice. This is a book that many of us will be reading, and it will provide a common base for discussion at the 2011 Convention in Pittsburgh. For those who are interested, there are a couple of incentives to consider. The best papers from among the convention submissions that are on the Common Reader can earn students up to $500 each.

4.  Also, each Regent offers up to four awards of $50 each to chapters that organize and host a local event or activity around the Common Reader. This award is separate from convention submissions and does not require you to attend the convention to receive the award. The Regents’ Common Reader Award is a chance for your chapter members to decide for themselves what to think of Lorene Cary’s Black Ice. Midwestern chapters are invited to organize and host a local event or activity based on Cary’s Black Ice before February 15, 2011, and to apply for award money after the event has been held. Up to four chapters from our region may receive awards of $50. In order to apply, a chapter must submit the following three documents, postmarked or emailed on or before March 1, 2011:

Submissions should be mailed or submitted electronically to Midwestern Regent John Kerrigan; contact information is provided below.

The Regents’ Common Reader Award is open to all active Midwestern chapters of Sigma Tau Delta. Results will be announced at the convention and by email. The Regents hope that this award will be a way for chapters to share a convention-related experience, even if they are not able to travel to Pittsburgh. We hope it will encourage creative, text-based activities and events. And, we hope it will allow for a space to reflect on the power of language both in our own lives and in the lives of others.