Sigma Tau Hosts Mad Hatter Celebration

Students and members of Sigma Tau, the English honor society chapter on campus, gather around food and drink in J-Top on Oct. 11.

By Autumn Johnson

Members of Sigma Tau gathered for the Mad Hatter Tea Party in Janzow on the afternoon of Thursday, Oct. 11. The tea party, which has been an annual event for five years, featured food, drink and fellowship.

A former president of Concordia’s chapter of Sigma Tau, an international English honor society, came up with the idea. The group tries to host the tea party on a date close to Oct. 6, Mad Hatter Day. The date of Mad Hatter Day comes from the price of the Mad Hatter’s hat in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. The tag on his hat reads “In this style 10/6.”

Some members of Sigma Tau prepared for the tea party by baking cookies and other sweets on Wednesday night. The group also supplied drinks and other snacks for the event. The table was set with multiple teapots and included a stuffed rabbit. Anyone who happened upon the tea party could indulge in tea or coffee and baked goods, cucumber sandwiches, popcorn and other snacks.

“The best part is when we get a bunch of people around the table and are eating and drinking tea and coffee,” Dr. Gabriel Haley, Assistant Professor of English and advisor of Sigma Tau said.

In line with Mad Hatter Day’s theme of silliness, Haley dressed as the Mad Hatter for the tea party. Others attended in costume as well. Junior Sigma Tau member Victoria Cameron made an appearance as Elsa from Disney’s “Frozen.” Haley’s classes were also held at the tea party on Thursday. The eye-catching event was not only fun, but informative.

“The event also serves as a sort of Sigma Tau visibility event, allowing anyone to come by, eat some unhealthy food, and learn about literature, writing, English and Sigma Tau,” junior Valery Rostek said.

To learn more about Sigma Tau, contact gabriel.haley@cune.edu.