Sigma Delta Pi, Tau Chapter and Dr. Ruth Richardson at Adelphi University.
Sigma Delta Pi, TauChapter, at Adelphi University (then Adelphi College) was authorized in 1931. It was among the first 19 Chapters created at the national level. Prof. Catherine Lois Haymaker was the advisor until 1943. She held meetings at her home in Brooklyn were officers were elected. In 1932 Sigma Delta Pi, Tauchapter raised money to add to the scholarship fund which was presented to the students having the highest record in studying Spanish. The scholarship was used to pay part of the expenses for a summer course offered in Middlebury Spanish School. The TauChapter offered a similar scholarship in 1933. In 1935, the Tau chapter held the first Hispanic rally at Adelphi College in Brooklyn. Prof. Haymaker initiated this effort with the idea of promoting interest in the Hispanic Culture.
After Haymaker, Ruth Richardson became the advisor of Sigma Delta Pi. She was a Professor of Spanish and Chair of the Spanish Department at Adelphi University since 1945 until her retirement in 1964. During her tenure, she established a highly respected program in Hispanics Studies, attracted national attention as a Latin American scholar and left a legacy of devoted alumni and colleagues who have followed her steps. Born in Friendship, Maine, Dr. Richardson revived her B.A. in 1917 and her M.A. in 1921 at Boston University. She received her doctorate from Columbia University in Spanish Literature and the Golden Age Poetry under the distinguished Hispanist Dr. Federico de Onís, writing her dissertation on the work of Florencio Sanchez, the Uruguayan dramatist. Before joining Adelphi in 1945, she taught at Maryland College for Women, the University of New Hampshire, Baker University and Wooster College. As the Chair of the Department, she is known as a dedicated professor to her students and her teaching. She wrote extensively about Garcia Lorca, Eugenio Florit and Flores. Her apartment in Garden City became the place where the inductions of Sigma Delta Pi took place and many other activities related to the Spanish world. Richardson is remembered for given unselfishly of her experience and intellect to her students. She graced many of the campus functions with her quiet personality and her associates can vouch for her deep understanding of those who work for and with her. She kept strong ties with Columbia University with the director of the MacMillan Theater as she kept her enthusiasm for Hispanic Theater. Adelphi University had an exchange program of Hispanic Drama in which Adelphi students presented at Columbia University and they would follow up with plays at what was at that time the Adelphi Little Theater. At Adelphi, she taught a generation of students to enjoy the Hispanic literature. Many of her students went on to have distinguished careers in teaching and related professions. Her many years of service were honored by planting several clumps of birches at the entrance of the Swirbul Library, those birches grew to stately beauty, commemorating Ruth’s continuing presence with us. In addition, a Ruth Richardson Collection was established in the Swirbul Library to foster a continue recognition of the richness of the Hispanic letters.
She retired always saying that” the Spanish majors were her family” in the words of her students and alumni of more than fifty years ago, Prof. Robert Handelsman 1953, “she inspired us to teach, saying, earn a little, spend less” and Dr. Gladys Nussenbaum 1950, who still remembers the ceremony were she was inducted into Sigma Delta Pi, she recalls “the music of Granados Danza Española #5.” She was inspired by her mentor Ruth Richardson “who personified the love for the beautiful and musical language of Cervantes.” Alumni and benefactor Bob Hartman’54 remembers Dr. Richardson “Spanish professor Dr. Ruth Richardson was extraordinary. She had a great influence on her students. With contacts across the country, Dr. Richardson helped arrange fellowships for many of us to pursue graduate studies. I chose to complete a master's degree in Spanish in New Mexico. It was a great experience, and had it not been for Dr. Richardson, I would have never even thought to go out there.” Mr. Hartmann created the Robert G. Hartmann Scholarship for Excellence in Spanishin 2014.
Dr. Richardson has given unselfishly of her experience and intellect to her students. She has graced many of the campus functions with her quiet personality and her associates can vouch for her deep understanding of those who work for and with her. She kept the flame of Sigma Delta Pi, Tauchapter until her retirement, transforming the lives of those who came in contact with her.
Every year the Department, in honoring Ruth Richardson’s dedication and work for the students, bestows the Ruth Richardson Award for Excellence in Spanish.
