MSU Billings alum honored for service work through English Honor Society

MSU BILLINGS NEWS SERVICES — Jolinda Livesay, a 2009 graduate of Montana State University Billings and 2008-09 president of the MSU Billings branch of Sigma Tau Delta, the international English honor society, was recently selected to receive the Sigma Tau Delta Student Leadership Award for 2008-09. 

The Student Leadership Award is presented to students for outstanding service to Sigma Tau Delta at the chapter level, demonstrating individual commitment to the ideals of Sigma Tau Delta and ability to promote those ideals through leadership in the local chapter. The organization focuses on promoting the love of English literature, writing, and language.

Applicants are nominated by their chapter sponsors.  Dr. Rachel Schaffer, the MSU Billings chapter sponsor, nominated Livesay for her enthusiastic and energetic leadership in spearheading a number of different activities, including a hat/scarf/glove drive for the homeless of Billings and a literacy project to raise funds to purchase and distribute a book for every child enrolled in Head Start in Billings, Hardin, Red Lodge, and Joliet.

Notification from the national office notifying Dr. Schaffer of Livesay’s selection said, “In selecting Ms. Livesay for this award, the committee noted that she is a shining example of all that the award was created to acknowledge — outstanding service to Sigma Tau Delta at the chapter level, commitment to the ideals of the Society, and the ability to promote Society ideals through a leadership role in her local chapter.” 

Livesay will receive a check for $250 and a plaque to commemorate her achievement. She also received the MSU Billings Outstanding President of the Year award for campus student organizations at last year’s leadership banquet.  She is currently employed by The Billings Gazette as a customer service representative.