A&M International Celebrates 600th Anniversary Event

Texas A&M International University's Sigma Tau Delta Honor Society will hold a reading to memorialize the 600th anniversary of the death of Geoffrey Chaucer, the most significant poet to write in Middle English. The event will take place at A&M International University on Wednesday, Oct. 25 at 1:30 p.m. by the Killam Library Breezeway.

On October 25, 1400, close to 600 years ago, this literary phenomenon perished, leaving behind an unfinished masterpiece, The Canterbury Tales. The Sigma Tau Delta group, the International Honor Society for English, will read the General Prologue to this popular and well-known collection of stories to pay tribute to Chaucer's immeasurable contribution to English Poetry.

"The General Prologue" is considered to be Chaucer's most original and important piece of poetic writing. Sigma Tau Delta encourages everyone to join the group in celebration of great poetry.

Dr. Robert Haynes, Associate Professor of English, is the faculty sponsor of Sigma Tau Delta and helped to organize the event.

"During the summer, I had the opportunity to spend six weeks at Pennsylvania State University studying Chaucer in a National Endowment for the Humanities Summer Seminar," commented Haynes, "As faculty sponsor of Sigma Tau Delta, I recognized that our chapter would have a unique opportunity to commemorate Chaucer's poetic achievement this Fall."

"I am delighted that the response to our celebration has been so enthusiastic. We hope that this event promotes renewed interest in poetry, in Chaucer, and in our organization, Sigma Tau Delta,"Dr. Haynes further noted.

This commencement of an event linked to the life of the British poet will be the last to be held in the 20th century.

For more information, or to participate in the event, please contact Dr. Haynes at rhaynes@tamiu.edu, or call 326-2603.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu