I. Invitation
II. Convention Highlights
III. Chapter Reports
IV. Contests and Scholarships pre-convention
V. Contests at the convention
VI. Registration
VII. Getting to Kirksville, MO
VIII. Convention Hotel
IX. Dress for the Convention
X. Hosting a future Convention
XI. Run for National Office
I. INVITATION
The Eta Zeta Chapter at Truman State University invites you to the 98th annual convention, March 20-22, 2026. This meeting will include all of the things that make each year’s meeting special—Friday night certamen; papers presented by some of the nation’s brightest undergrads; Latin and Greek declamation contests; swag; and, most importantly, fellowship with other Eta Sigma Phi members from around the nation.
Eta Zeta hosted the convention remotely in 2021 at the 93rd annual convention. We look forward to spending time at Truman State and in Kirksville. Since there is no guarantee on the weather, it is wise to be prepared for winter, spring, and/or even summer temperatures!
II. CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS
Friday evening: Certamen Extravaganza with the one and only Dr. Daniel Levine (Certamen wizard)
Dr. Daniel “Certamen Wizard” Levine
On Saturday morning, after the first business meeting, there will be a session of student papers, selected by the Eta Sigma Phi Program Committee. In the afternoon, there will be a variety of classically oriented presentations and activities, including committee meetings, all of which will be fun, especially the finance committee where we will be giving out free money.
Martin Albright
Zachary Chen
Reading Inscriptions
On Saturday evening, we will gather for banquet and other entertainment including singing the Eta Sigma Phi song in tune.
Singing the Eta Sigma Phi song
Dr. David Sick and Dr. Anne Groton lead the singing.
Classical attire is strongly encouraged. There will be a prize for the vir et femina vestiti splendidissime. Can you beat the SACKS OF ROME?
The Sacks of Rome!
A second business session will take place on Sunday morning. The convention will conclude by noon on Sunday with the election and installation of new national officers and the selection of the host for the 2026 convention.
2025-2026 National Officers
98th Eta Sigma Phi Convention Program forthcoming
Call for Papers: Deadline is February 20, 2026
Scholarships: ΗΣΦ Scholarship applications are due February 15, 2026. Please visit the individual scholarship pages for specific deadlines (ASCSA, AAR, Vergilian Society, etc.)
III. CHAPTER REPORTS
Each chapter should prepare a report to share at the first business meeting. Reports should be no more than five minutes long and should highlight the chapter’s activities since the last convention. A $100.00 award will be given at convention for the best service project sponsored by a local chapter promoting classical languages and cultures.
Chapter reports will be published in Nuntius and should be submitted via the website at: https://www.etasigmaphi.org/members/membership-forms .
IV. CONTESTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS (decided BEFORE the Convention)
V. CHAPTER & INDIVIDUAL CONTESTS (decided AT the Convention)
Jonathan Rolfe (Greek Declamation winner)
Dr. Yoandy Cabrera and Dr. Joseph Garnjobst
Dr. Daniel Levine and Dr. Antony Augustakis
Charis Morasch (Latin declamation winner)
***Declamation Contests***
Delegates are invited to sign up to compete in the Greek and Latin Declamation Contests. Registration for this competition will take place on Friday evening. Contestants will be given a prose passage to read before a panel of judges on Saturday afternoon. Judges will base their decision on pronunciation, interpretation of text, smoothness of delivery, demeanor and textural accuracy. The winner will receive a prize of $100 and will be invited to read the passage to the entire assembly at the Saturday evening banquet. The runner-up will be awarded $50.
VI. REGISTRATION
The registration fee for the meeting will be $60 per delegate (if paying by check) $65 (if paying by PayPal), which will include events Friday night through Sunday morning; breakfast, lunch and dinner on Saturday; breakfast on Sunday. If you have any special dietary needs, please indicate that at the appropriate spot on the registration form.
***PLEASE REGISTER YOUR CHAPTER BY FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28th.***
After February 28, the price of registration is $75 per delegate (check or PayPal).
If paying by PayPal, please visit the Regalia page and add a registration to your cart, then adjust the number to reflect the number of delegates.
N.B. National Officers do not need to pay for registration nor do the students selected to give a presentation, but please register.
VII. GETTING TO KIRKSVILLE, MO
Truman State University is located in Kirksville, Missouri. Kirksville is located about 88 miles north of the Columbia, MO, 150 miles southeast of Des Moines, IA, and 180 miles (3 hours) northeast of Kansas City, MO. See map here.
VIII. CONVENTION HOTEL
RESERVATION DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 28. After February 28, you are not guaranteed the convention rate.
IX. DRESS FOR THE CONVENTION
Dress will be casual, with the exception of the banquet on Saturday night, when business casual clothes or traditional Roman or Greek dress are appropriate. The latter is highly encouraged, and a prize will be awarded to the vir et femina vestiti splendidissime.
X. HOSTING THE CONVENTION
Proposals for hosting the 2027 national convention will be considered at this year’s convention. If your chapter is interested in making a proposal, some things to consider are (1) the support of your adviser; (2) the availability of lodging, either on campus or nearby at a motel or hotel; (3) travel to the convention by air, train, bus, and automobile; and (4) financial support of the chapter, the appropriate department(s), the institution, or state and local organizations. The society is particularly interested in holding a convention more than 250 miles west of the Mississippi River or in the southern states. For more information, see Convention Bids.
XI. RUN FOR NATIONAL OFFICE!
Megas/Megale Prytanis, Megas/Megale Hyparchos, Megas/Megale Grammateus, Megas/Megale Chrysophylax
Nominations for national officers (president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer) will be accepted at the business meeting on Saturday, with the election and installation at the business meeting on Sunday. Any undergraduate student who has been duly initiated into their local chapter, with the report of the initiation and the initiation fee received by the national office, is eligible to run. The national president must be a senior during the year of the office. Candidates must be present at the convention and the induction ceremony on Sunday. Delegates who are not at the second business meeting are not eligible to run for office. For more information, see the handbook.