Sigma Lambda Beta
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| Motto | Opportunity for Wisdom, Wisdom for Culture |
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| Colors | Royal Purple and The Purest White |
| Symbol | White Mustang Stallion |
| Flower | Red Carnation |
| Founded | April 4, 1986 at University of Iowa |
| Fraternity type | Social |
| Scope | International |
| Headquarters | 900 West Penn Street North Liberty, Iowa, USA |
| Chapters | 77 |
| Nickname | Lambda Betas or Betas |
| Homepage | Sigma Lambda Beta Website |
Sigma Lambda Beta (ΣΛΒ) International Fraternity,(also known as Lambda-Betas or Betas) is the largest historically Latino oriented Greek letter intercollegiate fraternity founded on April 4, 1986 at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. [1] [2] [3] The fraternity is a member of the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations [4](NALFO), the North-American Interfraternity Conference (NIC), and the Fraternity Leadership Association. Historically a Latino based fraternity, Sigma Lambda Beta welcomes men of all cultures into its brotherhood. Its pillars are brotherhood, scholarship, community service, and cultural awareness.
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[edit] History
During the early Spring 1986 semester, Baltazar Mendoza-Madrigal along with seventeen other men began to explore the idea of establishing a Latino based Fraternity at the University of Iowa. After months of intensive research, Baltazar Mendoza-Madrigal called a special meeting on Monday, March 7, 1986 with some of the Latino students at the Chicano Indian American Cultural Center in the University of Iowa. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the need and feasibility of creating a new social Fraternity with an emphasis on the Latino Culture.
At that point in time, the student body at the University of Iowa was predominantly Caucasian. In addition, the Latino community on campus was divided into different social groups. As a result, the students who attended the first meeting wanted to solidify and unify the Latino and the multicultural community. Furthermore, the students wanted to promote a positive image of Latinos and minorities in the University.
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After the first meeting, the enthusiasm in favor of the Fraternity was so encouraging that the word spread throughout the University of Iowa. Everyone knew that something special was about to take place. On Friday, April 4, 1986, the members finalized the philosophy of the Organization. Hence, April 4, 1986, is the official founding date of the Fraternity.
The Eighteen Founding Fathers (16 Latino, one African and one Asain) established Sigma Lambda Beta with the following principles in mind: Brotherhood, Scholarship, Cultural Awareness, and Community Service.
[edit] Founding Fathers
- Baltazar Mendoza Madrigal
- Mario Buendia
- Enrique Carbajal
- Thomas Carrasquillo
- Manuel Chavarria
- Jose Fong
- Rudolfo Garza
- Luis Jimenez
- Luis Marquez
- Eric Montes
- Kuy Ou
- Olakunle Oyeyemi
- Jaime Ramirez
- Olivera Rivera
- Juan Jose Rojas Cardona
- Eugenio Soria
- Juan Valdez
- Ricardo Zamudio
In response to the creation of this fraternal organization, Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority Incorporated was founded in 1990 with the support of the men of Sigma Lambda Beta. Sigma Lambda Gamma has an unofficial realtionship as the "sister" organization of Sigma Lambda Beta.
[edit] Sigma Lambda Beta Today
Sigma Lambda Beta has grown to 78 chapters and 19 colonies. In addition to 16 Alumni Chapters. Chapters are found in 23 states and in Puerto Rico. In March, 2001 Sigma Lambda Beta became the first Latino fraternity to reach all geographical points in the United States. Membership has grown dramatically since its founding, making it the largest Latino based fraternity in the world.
The fraternity also started its own official publication called Rego Magazine which is published quarterly and is distributed to US college campuses. In March 1997, the fraternity was granted 501(c)(7) status by the IRS.
Sigma Lambda Beta has two national philanthropies, The Victor Correa CPR Awareness Day and the Collegiate Leadership Development Program. There are also many local philanthropies that regional chapters have participated in.
[edit] Alumni
Sigma Lambda Beta has a very young alumni network but it is quickly growing. Many alumni are lawyers, doctors, entrepreneurs, politicians, political activists, teachers, and many other professionals and professions. Many alumni also pursue higher education beyond their undergraduate degree. Sigma Lambda Beta also has 15 Alumni Associations.
[edit] Notable Alumni
- Alex Perez - Television reporter for NBC WMAQ-TV Chicago.
- Francisco “El Tigre” Arreola - Professional Boxer (29-3-2, 8 KO)
- Mark Slessinger - Northwestern State Assistant Basketball coach
- Edward Casso - Colorado State Representative - House District 32
- Henry Guerrero - Emmy Award Winner and Executive Producer for La Vida - ABC WFAA-TV Dallas/Fort Worth.
- Andrew Velasquez III - Director, Office of Emergency Management & Communications Chicago, Illinois
- Avian Carrasquillo - Newspaper reporter for The Daily Herald (Third largest newspaper in the state of Illinois)
[edit] External links
| Fraternity Leadership Association Delta Kappa Epsilon | Kappa Sigma | Phi Sigma Kappa | Sigma Alpha Epsilon | Sigma Lambda Beta | Sigma Pi |
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