At the end of each class in Hilliard Hall, students would gather outside of the building and congregate on the "Stoop." Being that this has been a tradition for many years, it became an everyday meeting place for seven communications students. During the Fall of 1999 the Communications Department had gone through several different professors and one motivating, demanding and extremely meticulous woman by the name of Dr. M.G. Hickson, who later became the primary advisor for Sigma Tau Theta after the organization's first primary advisor, Ms. Jacqueline Davis. The department became unstable and instructors did not stay long enough to teach or show example of any kind of leadership. There was also a lack of equipment in all areas of the department. In addition to these unfortunate circumstances, there was also a lack of or almost an absence of communications businesses or companies that attended the campus career fairs. This absence leaves communications majors without the opportunity that other majors have.
As a result, on August 18th 1999, Sigma Tau Theta was formed under the name Stoop Phi Stoop. The seven students who brought forth this name were: Angela Barrett, Estelle Stewart, LaShaunda D. Bell, Vanessa Pears, Jarrod Franklin, Brad "Tito" Ruffin and Kervin Finley. Stoop Phi was created to prepare students with the knowledge, self-confidence and leadership skills that it takes to make it successfully in this field. This organization serves as an outlet to retrieve information about the deaprtment, the classes, and the tools needed for career opportunities. The students saw the organizations general purpose of conveying knowledge through friendship, love and unity.
In the Spring of 2000, the organization made a decision to take on the greek symbols as their representation. While the official founding date of the organization is August 18, 1999, on May 4, 2000, the symbols Sigma Tau Theta were chosen for the organization and "Stoop" was made sacred as a commemoration of the establishment of Alpha Chapter.
Sigma Tau Theta was established to provide eternal leadership to incoming and current communications students. It was created to promote academic excellence, improve communication between the students and the communications faculty and staff and develop a more positive atmosphere within the department. Expansion proceeds at a steady pace while the organization also concentrates on finding jobs, internships, and scholarships for communications students. Numerous functions have also been created not only for communications students but for the campus as well. The organization is also actively involved in community service.
For more information on programs and/or community service activities go to the General Information Page. |
