On December 1, 1975, history was made – history on a college campus, which would transcend other colleges/universities throughout the United States; history which would have a positive impact on the Latino community and our nation; history which would forever change the Greek system, more specifically, the entity known as a fraternity. On December 1, 1975, Lambda Theta Phi was founded on the campus of Kean College in Union, New Jersey. In 1975, there were no Latino fraternities in existence in the United States. The Greek-letter organizations of the time primarily catered to Anglo and African-American students and graduates. Lambda’s founders, as men of vision, realized there was a need to unite the Latino students, develop their leadership skills, impart upon them the value of an education, and instill in them a commitment to their community and culture. The traditional student club would not suffice to accomplish such lofty goals. Hence, Latino unity and brotherhood would be achieved through a long recognized institution – the fraternity. This newest addition to the Greek system would be the first in the nation, by identity and by name: Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Incorporated. The ideals of this brotherhood are the following: Academic Excellence; Brotherhood; Leadership; Latino Unity; Service. On a daily basis, our brothers live up to these ideals, as set forth by fourteen young Latino men decades ago. At the undergraduate level, our brothers are active within the Fraternity and in other student organizations. Our brothers perform community service, promote our culture by sponsoring events which highlight and celebrate our heritage, participate in educational workshops, and enjoy many social programs. As a result of their active participation in every aspect of college life, our undergraduates are developing their organizational, communication, and leadership skills, all while pursuing the coveted diploma. Our younger Lambdas are receiving the training and competence to serve as the future leaders of our brotherhood, community, and nation. At the professional level, among our ranks you will find attorneys, doctors, and engineers. Our brothers are shaping young minds as educators and as dedicated fathers. The men in brown and white are defending this country at home and abroad in the area of law enforcement and in the armed forces. We are strengthening our country’s economy as entrepreneurs. Our brothers are teaching leadership as coaches, mentors, and community activists. The Lambdas are affecting policy and change as elected officials serving on City Councils, Boards of Education, U.S. In short, Lambdas are contributing and excelling in every facet of human endeavor. Since our founding, Lambda Theta Phi has established chapters in every region of the country at both the undergraduate and professional levels. Our brotherhood continues to provide the necessary skills and resources for the advancement and empowerment of our people and for the betterment of this nation. Our illustrious history is not only our past but our guiding light to the future. As the first, we overcame many obstacles. Not having much guidance in our formative stages, we persevered and became stronger. Lambda is the product of vision, strength, and unity. Our history serves as a legacy and testament to our accomplishments and greatness. Lambda Theta Phi … Academic Excellence – Brotherhood – Leadership – Latino Unity -Service. Chapter History
In 1996, eleven men of different backgrounds, religions, and political ideologies came together under the prospect of mutual success to form the Alpha Alpha Chapter of Lambda Theta Phi, Latin Fraternity, Inc. The struggle to unite this national family, however, paled in comparison to the sea of troubles encountered on their journey to recognition by the Greek Council of the University of Central Florida. Opposition to a Latin fraternity grew, in part; to fears that this unassuming group of men would prove to be unfit to challenges of the number one rated Greek system in the southeastern United States. Some even argued that Lambda Theta Phi would never gain the acceptance of the larger Greek Letter fraternities and would therefore become irrelevant on campus. In April of 1997, nearing the close of the Spring Semester and after months of constant lobbying by University administrators and faculty members friendly to their resolve, the Founding Brothers received the long awaited nod of recognition. Lambda Theta Phi, Latin Fraternity, Inc. was therefore ushered into the Greek Council, unceremoniously perhaps, but admitted nonetheless. Today, years after the Founding Brothers pledged a lifelong devotion to Lambda Theta Phi, the Chapter they built stands as one of the cornerstones of the University of Central Florida Greek system. Alpha Alpha Chapter has set the highest standard for community service and leadership. Its Brothers have distinguished themselves in every aspect of University life from Student Government to Student Organizations, from academic to professional circles. Through the personal sacrifice of the Founders, the succeeding lines of Brothers have drawn the strength and pride to envision their roles as leaders. Taken, not from the individual confines of most, but through the ideals that in unity men find strength and that this strength can only be measured by a devotion to a common good. The Alpha Alpha Chapter of Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc. works in this fashion to proliferate among the best men a desire to achieve, to lead, and to hold themselves above and beyond the standards. Written by: Brother Michael Deliz
