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Home  Lambda Theta Phi
Lambda Theta Phi
On December 5, 1776, Phi Beta Kappa, today a scholarly honor society, appeared at the College of William and Mary. This student club, organized for social and literary purposes, was probably the first to adopt a Greek name.
In time, additional Greek-letter clubs emerged on the college campus. Their Greek names, secret rituals, badges, and grips set them apart from other student clubs. Normally guided by specific purposes and ideals, some Greek-letter organizations developed with a design to recruit specific individuals, whether based on race, national origin, religious affiliation or academic interests. An example is the Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity, established on December 29, 1998, for Jewish college men. Another example is Alpha Phi Alpha, founded on December 4, 1906, for African-American men.
Historically, the older Greek-letter societies primarily attracted students of Anglo and African-American descent. Almost two hundred years later after the first Greek-letter organization appeared on a college campus, a Latin fraternity was born – the first of its kind by identity and name – Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc.
Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc. was founded at Kean University in Union, New Jersey on December 1, 1975. The concept of the Fraternity was used to unify the different Latin clubs and organizations in order to have a more effective means of accomplishing common goals and objectives. With this in mind, the Fraternity's Founding Fathers continued their struggle to establish the only Latin Fraternity at Kean University.
When Lambda Theta Phi was founded, there were no Latino fraternities or Latina sororities in existence in the United States. Lambda Theta Phi originated the concept of embracing the ideals of brotherhood, Latino unity, cultural awareness, and community service within the Greek-letter fraternity, all for the progress and empowerment of our people.
Lambda Theta Phi is now a non-profit service/social fraternity which emphasizes Latino unity and the celebration of the Latino culture. With its acceptance into the National Interfraternity Conference (NIC) in 1992, Lambda Theta Phi became the first nationally recognized Latino Greek letter fraternity in the country. The fraternity’s goals are to promote scholarship, Latino unity, respect for all cultures, and brotherhood. Lambda Theta Phi has set out to accomplish these goals through responsible political and social action. By working in the surrounding communities, the fraternity hopes to provide both services and positive role models as well as enhance the image of the Latino culture.
Since the inception of Lambda, the Greek community has witnessed the emergence of many Latino fraternities and sororities. In fact, by 2005, three decades after the establishment of Lambda, there were approximately 13 Latino fraternities and 29 Latina sororities in the United States. Many of these Latino-based, Greek-letter organizations adhere to ideals similar to those of Lambda Theta Phi - a concept originated by fourteen young, Latinos back in 1975. Who were these visionaries with a dream? Who were these leaders who would forever change the face of the Greek system?
The Founding Fathers of Lambda Theta Phi.
Our brotherhood welcomes the opportunity to collaborate with our fellow Latino Greeks on initiatives for our educational advancement, for our professional development and, most importantly, for the betterment of our community.
“En la unión está la fuerza.” |
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