The Beginning

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. House of Representatives, and U.S. Senate. 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.

The Fraternal Fathers

Cayetano Socarrás and José Quiles are the Fraternal Fathers of Lambda Theta Phi. The commitment and dedication they have given the Fraternity has earned them the love and admiration of all brothers.

In response to the title, José Quiles has stated, “I always felt I was a father of the Fraternity in the sense of being a technical resource, because a lot of the internal development was carried out by the Founding Fathers themselves.”  Founding Father Agustín García concurs: “These two men fathered the brothers.  A father teaches and these two men had taught.”  The creation of Lambda Theta Phi was a learning process, and the two Fraternal Fathers were instrumental.

With numerous decisions to be made and strategies outlined, the brothers received guidance from two members of the Kean College faculty/administration. Specifically, Dr. Cayetano J. Socarrás, who passed away on January 24, 1994 and José Quiles, recognized within the brotherhood as the Fraternal Fathers of Lambda Theta Phi. Each of these men provided support, mentorship, and guidance to the Founding Fathers and have continued to do so as the Fraternity has developed. Their devotion to the ideals and brothers of Lambda extends far beyond what can be captured in a website.

The Founding Fathers

From September to November of 1975, a group of students, from which would eventually emerge the Founding Fathers of Lambda Theta Phi, met to find the solution to uniting the different Latino groups on campus.

These meetings were initiated by Founding Father García, who had already spearheaded a important breakthrough for Latino students by becoming the first Latino elected to the Kean College student government. The major topics of discussion at these meetings were the need to become politically conscious and active as Latino students and the unification of all Latinos, since at the time “Latin Unity” was not common among students of different Latino national origins.

At a meeting on November 11, 1975, Founding Father García proposed the idea of founding a fraternity. Having become familiar with the workings of the college administration and student government he recognized that a fraternity could promote Latin unity through brotherhood. He also understood that fraternities were an organizational structure that college administrators acknowledged and one with which they were accustomed. Lambda Theta Phi was founded as a Latin Fraternity, which was specifically stated in its original constitution, making it the first “Latino” fraternity in the United States.

El Conquistador

As the Founders moved forward with the development of the Fraternity, many issues had to be addressed and the “culture” and symbolism of the Fraternity had to be created. The fraternity colors needed to be selected, a method of pledging determined, and the ritual associated with the brotherhood. One item which has generated controversy over the years has been the use of the Conquistador as the mascot of the Fraternity. In addition, the individuals participating in the fraternity’s induction or pledge process are referred to as Conquistadores. The concept of the Conquistador as a symbol of the Fraternity was introduced by Founding Father Agustín García and Founding Father Wilfredo Ayes interjected the Conquistador into the pledge process for the first pledge line in the spring of 1978.

Representing the Spanish crown, the Conquistadors came to the Americas in the sixteenth century and committed genocide of the indigenous populations. Why, then, would our Founders adopt the Conquistador as a symbol of our brotherhood? The literal definition of the term, as opposed to the role the Conquistador played in our history, was the overriding consideration: one who conquers; one who overcomes; one who triumphs.

Historical Timeline of Lambda Theta Phi

1975 – December 1, Lambda Theta Phi, Latin Fraternity, Inc. is founded.

1976 – Brothers of Lambda Theta Phi also become known as “Lambdas.”

1978 – Fraternity shield completed with assistance of Fraternal Father Cayetano Socarrás and Honorary Brother Raymond Lago.

1979 – Lambda Theta Phi helps form coalition of Latino student organizations to protest a lack of services to Latino students at Kean College (now Kean University); it is the first mention of a “Latino Fraternity” in any print media in the U.S.

1980 – Fraternity shield is revised by Honorary Brother Raymond Lago.

1984 – Fraternity adopts “Latinos en Estados Unidos” by Willie Colon and Celia Cruz as its official song as proposed by the Founding Line of Epsilon Chapter.

1984 – Fraternity shield is revised into the current image by Epsilon Founding Brother Daniel Sedares under the guidance of Fraternal Father Cayetano Socarrás.

1986 – “Ahora,” a Spanish-Language newspaper out of Union City, NJ publishes a 2 ½ page article on the fraternity, the first story every printed about a Latino Greek Letter Organization (LGLO) in a Spanish-Language newspaper in the U.S.

1990 – A delegation of Lambdas lead by Founding Father Agustin Garcia represents the fraternity at the International Cuban Youth Conference for a Free Cuba (translated from Spanish) in Miami, FL; the fraternity was the only non-Cuban (specific) organization to participate and make a presentation at the event

1991 – Lambda Chapter, the first chapter outside of New Jersey is founded at the University of Connecticut.

1992 – Lambda Theta Phi is publicly thanked for their support during the acceptance speech of Brother Robert Menendez during his victory speech after being elected to Congress.

1992 – Lambda Theta Phi is the first Latin Fraternity to become members of the North-American Interfraternity Conference.

1994 – January 24, passing of Fraternal Father Dr. Cayetano Socarrás, affectionately known as Chacho to those brothers who have had the privilege of meeting him.

1994 – The history of Lambda Theta Phi,” written by Beta brother Jesus Peña, is published, making Lambda Theta Phi the first LGLO to have a published history book.

1995 – The fraternity posts its first website www.Lambda1975.org, built and designed by brothers Juan Aguilar and Carlos Morales.

1996 – Fraternity sponsors a contingent of brothers to participate in “’96 Será” a demonstration in Washington, DC to protest a wave of anti-immigrant legislation.

1998 – Former President Jorge Diaz and Jesus Peña establish Lambda Theta Phi Educational Foundation, a 501(c) (3) entity.

2001 – U.S. Senate Resolution for “Organizational Achievement,” presented to Lambda Theta Phi at our Annual Awards Banquet, November 25, from Senator Joseph Lieberman.

2001 – Lambda Theta Phi receives Community Service Award at the Annual Latino Greeks.com & NALFO Awards Gala.

2003 – Lambda Theta Phi becomes a member of the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations (NALFO).

2003 – Lambda Theta Phi holds national press conferences in Washington, D.C. and organizes students and alumni across the country to protest a media merger that they believed would create a monopoly of Spanish-language media.

2005 – Lambda Theta Phi becomes the first Latin Fraternity to award a “Latina Scholarship” at its national awards banquet.

2006 – Lambda Theta Phi brother, Bob Menendez, was elected New Jersey U.S. Senator.

2007 – Lambda Theta Phi becomes the first U.S. Latin Fraternity to hold a Conference in Puerto Rico.

2008 – Former National President Byron Bustos establish Lambda Theta Phi Board of Trustees.

2008 – Lambda Theta Phi hires its first, full-time executive director, Gary Ballinger.

2009 – Lambda Theta Phi hires its second executive director, Byron Bustos.

2010 – Lambda Theta Phi becomes the first Latin Greek letter organization to be attributed by the institution it was founded (Kean University).

2014 – Lambda Theta Phi signs memorandum of understanding with Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) as national philanthropic partner.

2014 – Lambda Theta Phi establishes its first entity at a historically Black college/university with the Johnson C. Smith University Colony.

2014 – Lambda Theta Phi hires its third executive director, Jarrod Cruz.

2014 – Lambda Theta Phi discontinues membership in National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations (NALFO).

2016 – Executive Director Jarrod Cruz elected as the first North-American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) Fraternity Growth Accelorator (FGA) Council Representative.