Sigma Tau Delta puts on 15th annual book sale

The Upsilon Beta Chapter of Sigma Tau Delta will continue its 15th annual book sale on Monday, April 12 in the Hall of Languages.

Director of Fundraising Rick McCraw said the sale, which began Wednesday, has drawn an impressive turnout thus far.

"It's been going surprisingly well," he said.

According to McCraw, the chapter has had to rely more on word-of-mouth to circulate news about the sale than in previous years.

"At different times, we've used sandwich boards, but we didn't have that this year," he said. "We were more limited in advertising than we thought we would be."

Local vendors donated food and supplies to enable Sigma Tau Delta to raise additional funds by selling lunches during the sale.

McCraw said such donations were made by Sonic in Greenville and Commerce, Brookshire's in Commerce, Walmart in Greenville and Commerce, and McDonald's in Commerce.

Sweetie's Donuts in Commerce also offered "excellent deals on donuts" he said. Sigma Tau Delta members donated baked goods for the sale.

McCraw said the majority of funds raised by the sale go toward helping Sigma Tau Delta members, including graduate and undergraduate students, defer the costs of attending conferences. The remaining funds go toward administrative costs.

Junior English major and chapter Secretary Steve Moser volunteered to monitor the sale and is enjoying the experience.

"Since we're a small chapter, it's exciting actually being able to see that we can set up something like this," he said. "New donations are encouraging to see, because so many people donate so many things."

Moser said he has even seen freshman students donate used textbooks.

President Kaye McCraw is enthusiastic about the community support the sale has garnered, as well as the turnout.

"We try to get the community in on this," she said. "I love to come and see bunches of people at the boxes browsing books – it's neat."

Rick McCraw added that the sale has drawn an impressive amount of support from students and faculty within the Department of Literature and Languages and other departments.

"We've had a lot of support from students and faculty," he said. "We've even had some crossover from other departments, including professors."

McCraw said because so many people assist with the sale, there are simply "too many" to name everyone. He did, however, wish to acknowledge the members of the organizational committee, which includes himself, Audrey Adams, Kim Allison, Charity Adama, Mary K. Croft and Kaye McCraw.

McCraw also acknowledged Dr. Kathryn Jacobs, who has sponsored the Upsilon Beta Chapter's book sale for the past 15 years. Jacobs was recently given an award for her personal service to Sigma Tau Delta at the International Convention in St. Louis, Missouri. Kay McCraw accepted the award on Jacobs's behalf.

The book sale will continue in the Hall of Languages on Monday, April 12 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It will also be run on Saturday, April 24 at the Science Building to coincide with UIL competitions.